Diabetes has reached epidemic proportions in the United States and there are increased numbers of those estimated to have prediabetes. When not properly treated, diabetes can lead to a number of complications including:

  • Heart disease
  • Kidney failure
  • Blindness
  • Amputations
  • Nerve damage

CNY Diabetes has a high success rate in assisting people to lose weight and lower their blood sugar levels. Group or individualized sessions cover the following topics:

  • defining prediabetes, type 1 and type 2 diabetes or gestational diabetes
  • nutritional management (carbohydrate counting) and medications
  • starting an exercise program and blood sugar monitoring
  • personal health habits and complications
  • working and traveling with diabetes
  • insulin pump training
  • continuous glucose monitoring.

Taking care of diabetes does make a difference. Learning about self-management can help you prevent or delay these complications. The professionals at the Central New York Diabetes Education Program (CNY Diabetes) will teach you how to control your diabetes and stay healthy.


About Our Educational Classes

Who should attend?

People with prediabetes or diabetes who want to learn how to successfully manage their diabetes and live life to the fullest. A family member or friend is encouraged to attend with you.

Instructional sessions are also available for people with prediabetes and gestational diabetes to support the therapeutic lifestyle changes necessary to maintain normal blood sugar control.

Where are the classes?

CNY Diabetes is not conducting face to face appointments at this time, but can schedule telemedicine and telephone appointments. 

What will I learn?

Diabetes can be managed through a program of diet, exercise, blood glucose monitoring and, if needed, medication. The team at Mohawk Valley Health System’s (MVHS) Central New York Diabetes Education Program (CNY Diabetes) will teach you how to control your diabetes and stay healthy. Once you are aware of the techniques involved, a self-management plan becomes part of your normal lifestyle. Enrolling in a diabetes program can help to eliminate misconceptions and fear of the unknown.

Educational topics include:

  • Defining diabetes – types 1 and 2
  • Weight loss and medication maintenance
  • Carbohydrate management
  • Starting an exercise program and blood sugar monitoring
  • Proper skin and foot care
  • Personal health habits and complications
  • Work, insurance issues and travel.

Who teaches the class?

Certified Diabetes Care and Education Specialists (CDCES), Registered Nurses and Registered Dietitians.

What happens after I complete my classes?

Once you have completed your formal educational sessions, we will schedule a follow-up session about three months after your initial consultation to assess your progress. You can also take advantage of our live or virtual continuous education opportunities.

How do I enroll or schedule an appointment?

Call 315-624-5620 to schedule an individual appointment. A provider referral is required to make an appointment. We can assist you with this if necessary.

Will insurance pay for diabetes education?

CNY Diabetes is Medicare-approved and most other insurances also cover diabetes education. We can assist you with finding out if your insurance will cover the program and what to do if it does not.


A1C Testing

CNY Diabetes now offers CLIA-waived fingerstick A1c testing at our Faxton Campus location in conjunction with Centrex Clinical Laboratories. This test is not charged to insurance and is performed only if requested by the patient for a small fee. Each test result will be forwarded to the patient’s primary provider.


Need additional information?

For more information about diabetes education, feel free to contact us by phone at 315-624-5620 or email at cjacobus@mvhealthsystem.org.

For additional general information about diabetes visit the American Diabetes Association.