Trusted diabetes & endocrinology care

Trust us to help you manage your diabetes. Recognized by the American Diabetes Association for consistently meeting national standards for self-management education, Advocate Good Samaritan Hospital has the information and skills that are necessary for you to be successful. Our program consists of group classes, including individual sessions, dependent upon need.

Multi-disciplinary team approach

We take a team approach to diabetes. While all members of your team are important, the day-to-day management of your diabetes is in your hands. Only you know how you feel and what you're willing and able to do. You do the exercise, prepare and eat the foods on your meal plan, take the medicine or inject the insulin, check your blood sugar (glucose) levels and keep track of results. You'll also be the first to notice any problems. Your team will depend on you to communicate with them, so that each member can help you be successful.

Your team could include:

Primary care physician: Your primary care doctor, who may be a primary care or family practice physician, will see you for general checkups and when you become ill.

Nurse educator: A diabetes nurse educator is a registered nurse with special training in caring for and educating diabetics. Many are certified. Nurse educators will help you learn the day-to-day aspects of diabetes self-care.

Registered dietitian: A registered dietitian is trained in nutrition and has passed a national exam. He or she may also be a certified diabetes educator.

Additional experts: You may see other specialists if necessary, such as optometrists or ophthalmologists, social workers, podiatrists, dentists or exercise physiologists.

Skills covered in our program

• Healthy eating
• Foot and skin care
• Glucose monitoring
• Lifestyle modification and stress management
• Insulin pump initiation and management
• Medication management
• Physical activity recommendations
• Gestational diabetes management
• Pre-conception counseling