In providing health care services to San Antonio and the 25 surrounding counties as well as an ever-increasing number of international patients from Mexico and Latin America, Methodist Healthcare offers many programs and services in Spanish. By providing educational classes, written materials, Spanish-speaking spiritual guidance through our bi-lingual chaplains and birthing information for expectant moms and families.

METHODIST HEALTHCARE OFFERS DIABETES EDUCATION IN SPANISH

Since diabetes is so prevalent among Hispanics in South Texas, Methodist Healthcare offers diabetes education classes in Spanish. The classes consist of two parts. The first part, held on a Friday evening, is an introduction that focuses on the foundation of diabetes management. The second part, held on Saturday, covers self-management education and includes the medical nutrition plan, exercise, acute and chronic complications and self care habits for eyes, kidneys, feet and skin. Glucose monitoring and medications also are discussed.

To attend, patients must receive a written 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 for upcoming sessions are March 31, April 1; May 5, 6; June 2, 3; June 30, July 1; Aug 4, 5; Sept 1, 2; Oct 6, 7; Nov 3, 4; and Dec 1, 2.

Also, on the first Saturday of the month from 9 a.m. to noon, Methodist Healthcare offers a special class for pregnant women with diabetes, a condition known as gestational diabetes. Patients must be referred by a physician to attend the class. For more information on the classes, phone the Methodist HealthLine, 210-575-0355, or toll-free at 1-800-333-7333. Both classes meet at Metropolitan Methodist Hospital, located at 1310 McCullough.

With advance notice we can set up an interview with our diabetes nurse educator on the advantages to patients of attending these classes in Spanish.

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 325-3294 (cell). For media assistance during the weekend, please phone Methodist Hospital, 575-4000, and ask for the public relations representative on call.