The Diabetes Education Center at Valley Baptist Medical Center-Brownsville is located at the hospital in Suite 220 of the Professional Tower, located to the left of the main hospital entrance.

Founded in 1996, the Center is the only diabetes management program in Brownsville recognized by the American Diabetes Association. It offers a variety of outpatient programs in both English and Spanish for those with Type 1, Type 2 and Gestational Diabetes. As an estimated one in four persons in the Rio Grande Valley has diabetes, the Center provides a much needed service for the community.

The diabetes educator works closely with hospital dietitians and physical therapists, along with physicians, to help you learn to control your diabetes.

Total Care Concept

The Valley Baptist-Brownsville Diabetes Education Center specializes in the “total care concept,” an ongoing comprehensive program for diabetes management throughout the life span of an individual. Diabetes is different for everyone. Learning more about diabetes and its management is good medicine.

The “total care” program includes diagnosis by your doctor, education (because the more you learn the better you can manage your diabetes), and support groups. The Center primarily offers an outpatient program. However, inpatients at the hospital will also receive information regarding diabetes management and treatment. All patients and significant others are encouraged to enroll in the Center’s comprehensive diabetes management program. Training programs are presented in both English and Spanish.

Diabetes Management Programs

The Diabetes Education Center at Valley Baptist - Brownsville offer the following comprehensive courses:

Self-Management Training
A comprehensive course that teaches self-management care and gives a person with diabetes the “how to” skills and knowledge to manage their diabetes. At the end of the eight hour program, the patient and family will be able to identify and utilize the main components of diabetes management, including meal planning, exercise, monitoring, drug therapy, health care habits and avoiding acute and chronic complications.

The self-management training course is offered as an evening class and in individual sessions. The classes meet Monday through Thursday evenings at 6:30 p.m.

Support Groups
Support group meetings are an opportunity for those with diabetes and in some cases , their family members, to come together and share concerns, problems, successes and coping strategies regarding life with diabetes. The support groups meet the last Thursday of each month at 6:30 p.m.

Our Goal

At the Valley Baptist-Brownsville Diabetes Center, it is our hope that your education experience will be a positive one. Our goal is to make you feel relaxed and comfortable by providing a patient-centered, family oriented atmosphere for your diabetes education.

Hours:  Monday through Friday from 1:00pm – 8:00pm
For more information on diabetes, please call (956) 698-5512