Four area agencies will partner during September to offer a series of classes designed to benefit residents with diabetes and their families.

Dining with Diabetes will be presented by staff from Grand View Health System, the Iron County Health Department, and MSU Extension. The 4-class series will begin on Monday, September 20, and be held on Mondays and Wednesdays beginning at 5:00 p.m., at the Iron County Courthouse in Hurley.

Zona Wick, health officer and director of the Iron County Health Department said, “We’ve assembled a great team of educators and health care professionals to offer this program. Each of the four classes will include diabetes education, nutrition, recipe demonstrations, and samples of each recipe prepared. We’ll also discuss the various tests that are important for people who have diabetes, and give participants an opportunity for testing at no-cost. We encourage not only the person living with diabetes, but spouses, adult children, and family or professional caregivers to attend, as well.”

Instructors include Jeanne Peterson, registered nurse and diabetes educator; Jaimee Thomas, registered dietician; and Geneva Smiles, community health and wellness coordinator, all of Grand View Health System. They will be joined by Liana Saari, R.N., and Julanne Ritter, R.N., of the Iron County Health Department, as well as educator Lucia Patritto of Gogebic County MSU Extension.

Patritto said, “There is no charge to attend Dining with Diabetes classes, however we ask that people attend all four sessions. There will also be a follow-up session in December that we encourage people to attend.” She went on to say that the class is offered annually and has become very popular with area residents.

According to Jeanne Peterson, diabetes is a serious and costly disease. Research shows that those who learn to manage their blood glucose (sugar) levels, eat a healthy diet, and get regular physical activity, can lower their risks of complications and lead a healthier and more productive life.

Though the classes are free to participants, space is limited, and pre-registration is necessary. People are encouraged to pre-register early by calling the Iron County Health Department at 715-561-2191 or MSU Extension at (906) 663-4045 or toll-free at 1-888-MSUE-4-MI (Gogebic).

Funding for this series of Dining with Diabetes is provided by the Wisconsin Diabetes Prevention and Control Program. Any resident of Gogebic or Iron County (WI) may attend.
 

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