Methodist Healthcare is now offering diabetes education classes in Spanish. The two-part classes, which begin in September, will meet at Metropolitan Methodist Hospital. The first part, held on Friday evening, will be an introduction that focuses on the foundation of diabetes management. The second part, held on Saturday, covers self-management education and will include the medical nutrition plan, exercise, acute and chronic complications and self care habits for eyes, kidneys, feet and skin. Glucose monitoring and medications also will be discussed.

To attend, patients must receive a referral from their physician. They also must attend the Friday session to be admitted to the Saturday session. The cost is based on Medicare guidelines and financial arrangements can be made. All Friday sessions meet from 6 to 8 p.m. and all Saturday sessions are from 9 a. m. to 3 p.m. Dates are September 2 and 3; September 30 and October 1; November 4 and 5; and December 2 and 3.

Also, on the first Saturday of the month from 9 a.m. to noon, Methodist Healthcare is offering a special class for pregnant women with diabetes. Patients must be referred by a physician to attend the class, which also meets at Metropolitan Methodist Hospital.

All classes are taught by Certified Diabetes Educators. For more information on the classes, phone the Methodist HealthLine, 210-575-0355, or toll-free at 1-800-333-7333. Metropolitan Methodist Hospital is located at 1310 McCullough.

With advance notice we can arrange for an interview with one of our diabetes educators on the need to offer these classes in Spanish and the importance of diabetes education.

If you are interested in doing a story, please phone Shirley Wills at 822-2378 or 365-4488(cell) or JoAnn King, 575-0171 or 917-7916 (pager). For media assistance during the weekend, please phone Methodist Hospital, 575-4000, and ask for the public relations representative on call.