Diabetes Education

Liberty Hospital offers a Diabetes Self-Management Education Program recognized by the American Diabetes Association. A qualified team provides thorough, convenient and easy-to- understand education for patients who are diagnosed with all types of diabetes.

Meet Your Diabetes Educators

Michelle Tremain, MSN, APRN, FNP-C

Nurse Practitioner/Program Director

Michelle Tremain has a Masters in Nursing from Saint Louis University. Her previous 11 years of nursing experience include nursing in an Intensive Care Unit and specialties in Internal Medicine and Endocrinology. She and her husband, Matt, live in the Smithville area with their two daughters. “I love problem solving with my patients and providers to find ways to better manage diabetes and help their regimen fit in with each individual’s lifestyle.”

Jessica Chavez, R.N., BSN, CDE

Program Coordinator/Certified Diabetes Educator

Jessica Chavez has a Bachelor's Degree in Nursing from Central Methodist University. Her 14 years of nursing experience includes an endocrine practice, Internal Medicine and ICU. Her specialty is educating patients and staff on diabetes self-management. She has lived in the Kansas City area since 2003 and is the mother of two. “I like working with my patients to help individualize their care so each person can succeed in their own diabetes journey.”

A group class is offered once a month as well as individualized one-on-one sessions offered Monday – Friday. See upcoming classes. (Select Community Education)

Two support groups meet quarterly. Groups are free and open to anyone with Type 1 or 2 diabetes. Diabetes Support Group and Pumpers Support Group (for those with insulin pumps). See upcoming dates for support groups. (Select Support Groups)

Topics of Diabetes Education:

ABC’s of Diabetes
Monitoring Blood Glucose
Managing complications, Risk Factors
Medications
Stress and Coping
Exercise
Nutrition Counseling, Carbohydrate counting
Gestational Diabetes
Pre-Conception Planning
Insulin Pumps
Continuous Glucose Monitoring Systems
New Insulin Starts

The 7 Self-Care Behaviors:

Healthy Eating
Being Active
Monitoring
Taking Medications
Problem Solving
Reducing Risks
Healthy Coping

Starr Wilhite of Liberty says his life has changed for the better with the help of Certified Diabetes Educator Jessica Chavez, R.N., BSN, CDE. See his story in the Winter 2015 Connections.