Diabetes Program
Centra Health's Diabetes program is designed to promote diabetes self-management. We provide diabetes education to patients, family members and caretakers, and we offer inpatient as well as outpatient education. All we ask is that patients provide a physician referral so we'll have information about their needs, and their medical providers will know the proper instructions. Click here for more information on Type 1 Diabetes, Type 2 Diabetes, and Gestational Diabetes. Information on other forms of diabetes can be found by clicking here.

Through our program, people recently diagnosed with diabetes learn survival skills including:

• a basic intro to the disease process
• foot care
• eye and dental health
• meal planning and food label reading
• guidelines for sick day management
• medication information (oral or insulin)
• self-monitoring guidelines
• instructions on use of the glucose meter
• exercise to promote better control of the disease and improve well-being
• managing complications
• traveling skills
• intensive insulin management

Diabetes Education
For those diabetes patients who are re-admitted, we offer diabetes management updates and cover specific issues. We encourage people with diabetes and their families to return for more education, or call our certified diabetes educators at Virginia Baptist Hospital (434) 947-4115 or Lynchburg General Hospital at (434) 947-3187. Patients can also call our diabetes hotline 24 hours a day, seven days a week at (434) 947-3256.

Our Educators
Centra Health's diabetes educators provide lectures to community-based groups, churches, and other organizations.  Our program has three full-time, certified diabetes educators available for part-time and ongoing continuation education for staff.