Sign up now for HMC Diabetes in Control classes

Hilo Medical Center’s Diabetes in Control Program (DICP) is now registering participants for its nine-week course that focuses on managing diabetes by improving nutrition, exercise and personal health habits.

“With the epidemic of diabetes in East Hawaii, this program is an enormous benefit to HMC’s Hawaii Island Family Health Center and our community,” said Howard Ainsley, CEO of the East Hawaii Region of HHSC. “HMC is grateful for the Hilo Medical Center Foundation’s underwriting of this program through the generous support of the County of Hawaii Shippers’ Wharf Committee Trust.”

The upcoming classes start on Wednesday, May 23, and participants are asked to commit to attending the entire nine-week session.

DICP will be holding two sessions on Wednesdays — in the morning from 10:45 a.m. to 12:15 p.m. and in the evening from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. at the hospital at 1190 Waianuenue Ave. Pre-registration is required, and those enrolled are encouraged to bring a relative, friend, or caregiver with them.

This program, accredited by the American Association of Diabetes Educators, covers monitoring your health with diabetes, nutrition, exercise, emotional coping with the disease, and more. Licensed, experienced instructors will lead participants through goal setting, coping skills and behaviors for success.

“With only 1 percent of Americans with diabetes having access to educational programs to learn how to better manage their disease, Hilo Medical Center’s program is a true community resource,” said the program coordinator, HMC Certified Diabetes Educator Becky Stubbs. “This program has empowered participants to live well and without complications by keeping blood sugar in control.”

For more information, contact Stubbs by email at HMCDICP@hhsc.org, or by calling 932-3122.