Nutrition and Diabetes Education
St. Mary’s Health Care System offers many options to help you take charge of your health. Education and lifestyle changes help you manage your disease and reduce the risk of complications. Whether you are eager to learn more about nutrition, lose weight, or lower your hemoglobin A1c, St. Mary's provides the information and compassionate care you need. Our Registered Dietitian Nutritionists (RDN) and Certified Diabetes Care and Education Specialists (CDCES) provide personalized, patient-centered care and are here to support you in reaching your goals. Our lifestyle instructors and health coaches also facilitate programs to help you prevent disease progression.
Call Our Team: (706) 356-7413
Through education and lifestyle changes, diabetes can be managed. St. Mary’s is committed to helping you manage your diabetes. The Outpatient Diabetes Education Department at St. Mary’s is recognized by the American Diabetes Association and offers individual appointments followed by two diabetes education classes. These classes cover all aspects of diabetes self-management, from nutrition to reducing the risk of diabetes-related complications.
We offer group classes on a monthly basis at both of our Lavonia and Athens locations. A referral is required by a physician to attend.
Our Team Offers Educational and Coaching Classes Promoting
Healthy Eating
Physical Activity
Diabetes Medical Management
Reducing Long-Term Risk
American Diabetes Association-Recognized Diabetes Education* in Lavonia, GA
St. Mary's Sacred Heart Hospital is proud to offer an American Diabetes Association (ADA)-recognized Diabetes Self-Management Education and Support (DSMES) program in Lavonia, GA. This recognition reflects our commitment to providing evidence-based diabetes education that meets the National Standards for Diabetes Self-Management Education and Support. Patients can feel confident knowing they are receiving high-quality education designed to help them better understand and manage diabetes.
Our diabetes education program provides personalized support for people living with Type 1 diabetes, Type 2 diabetes, gestational diabetes, and prediabetes. Working one-on-one with experienced diabetes educators, patients learn practical skills for healthy eating, physical activity, blood sugar monitoring, medication management, reducing the risk of complications, and building healthy habits that support long-term wellness. Diabetes education has been shown to improve health outcomes, increase confidence in self-care, and play an important role in preventing diabetes-related complications.
Persons who may benefit from these educational programs include:
- Newly diagnosed persons with diabetes
- Persons previously diagnosed who need updated information
- Persons living with diabetes, family, friends, and others who want to be trained in self-care strategies to reduce complications of diabetes
- People who need insulin pump training
- Persons affected by diabetes during pregnancy
St. Mary’s Diabetes Education Department will work with the patient, the patient’s family, and the patient’s physician to prevent long-term complications, improve diabetes management and blood glucose levels, and improve the quality of life. A physician’s referral is needed.
For more information on the Diabetes Education Department, please call (706) 356-7413.
Diabetes Self-Management Education and Support
St. Mary's Outpatient Diabetes Education program is accredited by the American Diabetes Association and offers individual counseling along with comprehensive group classes.
Our program covers all aspects of diabetes self-management, including understanding the diabetes process, medication management, exercise and nutrition, and preventing complications. A physician referral is required to attend up to 10 hours, which are covered by Medicare and most private insurance plans. It is important to note that this is a once-in-a-lifetime benefit, so once you start it, you have 12 months to finish. We have a rotating schedule for group classes once you complete your initial assessment.
Free monthly Diabetes Support Group meetings provide up-to-date diabetes information and ongoing support. For complete meeting details, please call our office at: (706) 356-7413.
Meet Your Nutritionist Team
Kathryn Filipiak, RDN, LD
Registered Dietitian
Kathryn has been a Registered Dietitian since 2007 and has provided outpatient Medical Nutrition Therapy for over 15 years. She is certified in the Satter Division of Responsibility in Feeding and Adult Eating Competence. She uses principles of motivational interviewing and experiential learning to partner with clients to create personalized nutrition goals that are enjoyable, sustainable and align with individual values and medical needs. She joined St. Mary’s in 2023.
Emily Jones, MS, RDN, LD, CDCES
Registered Dietitian Nutritionist
Emily is a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist and Certified Diabetes Care and Education Specialist. She studied at the University of Georgia and Lenoir-Rhyne University. She started her career at the supplemental food program, Women Infants and Children (WIC), and remains passionate about supporting families in meeting their goals. Emily uses individualized nutrition counseling and community partnerships to foster long-term behavior change and address nutrition security. She joined St. Mary's in 2023.
Are you a candidate for Bariatric Surgery?
Learn More
Are You at Risk for Diabetes? Join our Prevention Program.
Learn More