Diabetes Services
Fairbanks Memorial Hospital offers a variety of education and support for patients with diabetes.
Learn more about:
Diabetes is a group of diseases characterized by high levels of blood glucose resulting from defects in insulin production, insulin action or both.
- Diabetes Mellitus Type 1 - Type 1 diabetes occurs in childhood or young adulthood when the body stops making insulin, requiring the individual to take insulin injections.
- Diabetes Mellitus Type 2 - Type 2 diabetes occurs in adults and children when the body does not produce enough insulin, or use insulin effectively to control blood sugar.
- Gestational Diabetes - Gestational diabetes occurs during pregnancy and usually goes away after delivery.
- Pre-Diabetes - Pre-Diabetes is a condition that occurs when blood sugar is higher than normal, but not high enough to be classified as diabetes.
Diabetes Education Classes/Sessions
All classes are taught by a dietitian and a nurse educator. The goal of each class is to provide the skills and knowledge for effective diabetes management. All services require orders from your health care provider. Scheduling for the FDC is handled by FMH Central Scheduling. Please call (907) 458-5588 to schedule an appointment.
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Pre-Diabetes / Diabetes Prevention - 1 group session, 3 hours long
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Understanding the disease process, the benefits of increased activity and healthy eating habits, how to read food labels, and setting behavioral goals
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- Gestational Diabetes - Individual sessions, 1-2 hours each
- Teaches how to self-monitor blood glucose, setting blood glucose and hemoglobin A1c goals, the benefits of increased activity and healthy eating habits, how to read food labels, and risk for complications
- Insulin Basics - Individual sessions, 1-2 hours each
- Learn self-management skills related to insulin therapy to improve glucose control, setting blood glucose and A1c goals, the benefits of increased activity and healthy eating habits, and how to read food labels
- Type 2 Basics (for non-insulin users) - 4 group sessions, 2-3 hours each
- Learn self-management skills related to blood glucose monitoring to improve glucose control, the benefits of meal planning and increased activity, the risks for heart disease, and guidelines for alcohol use
Support Groups
The Fairbanks Diabetes Center hosts several support groups in conjunction with the American Diabetes Association. For more information call the American Diabetes Association at (907) 457-1557.
- Adult Diabetes Support Group
- Meets the third Thursday of each month, 6:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m. at Fairbanks Memorial Hospital. For more information please call the American Diabetes Association at 457-1557 or 458-5406.
- Type 1 Family Support Group
- Problem solving for life with type 1 diabetes
- Meets the third weekend of each month, varying day, time and place. Please call 458-6403 for more information.
