Diabetes/Prediabetes Education
Outpatient Diabetes Education
Orange City Area Health System’s Outpatient Diabetes Education Program is proud to offer a comprehensive education program for those with diabetes, either newly diagnosed or for those patients needing extra guidance with diabetes control. In addition to individual education sessions with the diabetes care coordinator or the registered dietician, OCAHS offers the following group education services:
DSME/S Group Classes (Diabetes Self-Management Education and Support): Taught by Orange City Area Health System’s highly trained diabetes education team, these 2 hour group classes are designed for newly diagnosed diabetics or for those who are looking for a refresher course. Topics covered include: Overview of diabetes, blood glucose monitoring, carbohydrate counting, food label reading, exercise, medications, complication prevention, sick daycare, and stress management.
Classes are held monthly in the main campus education room.
A physician referral is required. Register below or by calling 712-737-5311.
The program is covered by most insurance companies, but every insurance plan is different. Check with your individual insurance plan.
Register to attend:
Register Here February
Register Here March
Register Here April
Register Here May
Register Here June
Register Here July
Register Here August
Register Here September
Register Here October
Register Here November
Register Here December
Gestational Diabetes Group Classes: Orange City Area Health System’s Outpatient Diabetes Education Program offers group classes to women diagnosed with gestational diabetes. With this class, expectant mothers learn the skills for managing their blood sugar through healthy eating, increased activity, blood glucose monitoring, and stress management.
Classes are held weekly, on a flexible schedule, in the main campus education room next. Each class is 2 hours long – one hour with the registered dietician and one hour with the diabetes care coordinator. The program is covered by most insurance companies, but every insurance plan is different. Check with your individual insurance plan.
A physician’s referral is required. Register Here or call 712-737-5311.
Pre-diabetes Group Classes: Concerned about Pre-diabetes? This two-hour group class teaches you about healthier eating and exercise habits to improve your health and reduce your chance of having Type 2 Diabetes. Research has shown that losing weight and exercising most days of the week may prevent or delay the onset of type 2 diabetes and reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease, a serious medical condition that develops more frequently in this population. Taught by Orange City Area Health System’s highly trained diabetes education team. Held the fourth Wednesday of the month in the main campus education room. No referral needed, but pre-registration is required. Register below or by calling 712-737-5311. Lunch or dinner is included with registration fee of $30.
2022 Upcoming dates:
Time: 4-6pm
Register Here January 267
Register Here March 23
Register Here May 25
Register Here July 27
Register Here September 28
Register Here November 16 (third Wednesday due to Thanksgiving)
Time: 11am-1pm
Register Here February 23
Register Here April 27
Register Here June 22
Register Here August 24
Register Here October 26
Register Here December 21 (third Wednesday due to Christmas)
Support Groups: In conjunction with Orange City Area Health System’s Outpatient Diabetes Education Program, OCAHS offers the following Diabetes Support Group for the community.
Sweet Talk Support Group
Held the 2nd Wednesday of each month at 11:30am.
Located in our diabetic educator’s office in the Orange City Family Medicine Clinic. (Please ask Clinic Nursing Support for directions.)
Free for all to attend, no registration needed.
If you have questions regarding our diabetes education or dates of upcoming classes, please call 712.737.5311.

Our Diabetes Care Coordinator Dee Meerdink, RN, provides a variety of classes and one-on-one education for patients and families with diabetes and pre-diabetes.