Diabetes management requires a team approach. At the Palo Alto Medical Foundation (PAMF), the team includes your primary care physician, diabetes educators and dietitians, and other specialty physicians. However, you are the key player on this team.

All classes and support groups are held at:

Main Office
2025 Soquel Avenue
2nd Floor Conference Room
Santa Cruz, CA 95062
Department phone: 831-458-5597
Main phone: 831-423-4111
Map | Directions

Individual educational sessions are offered at the Main Office and at the Watsonville Office location.

List of classes and support groups:

• Diabetes Survival
• Succeeding with Insulin
• Referrals to Diabetes Survival and
  Insulin Classes
• Prediabetes Education
• Diabetes Support Group
• Insulin Pump Support Group

Diabetes Survival

This four-week introductory class covers the basic skills for maintaining your diabetes. The class includes a follow-up session two to three months after completion to review and reinforce information from the class, and to answer any questions.

Instructor: Diabetes Educator Team

Time: 3:30 to 5 p.m.

Dates: Tuesdays

Cost: Varies. Consult with your health insurer to determine your coverage benefits.

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Succeeding with Insulin

This ongoing class for persons on insulin will focus on the interaction between insulin, food and exercise. The class will address the needs of those attending the class and participants will be encouraged to come as often as necessary.

Please call instructor Beth Schatzman, R.D., CDE at 831-458-6924 to register for this class.

Instructor: Diabetes Educator Team

Time: 3:30 to 5 p.m.

Dates: Tuesdays

Cost: Varies. Consult with your health insurer to determine your coverage benefits.

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Referrals to Diabetes Survival and
Insulin Classes

Diabetes Survival and Succeeding with Insulin are for Santa Cruz Medical Foundation patients only. A physician referral is required for these classes. Call 831-458-5597 to speak with a registered dietitian or to schedule an appointment.

Santa Cruz Medical Foundations Diabetes Education Program is recognized by the American Diabetes Association. Cholesterol management and pre-diabetes education are open to the community. Please call Community Education at 831-479-6628 to register.

We encourage you to consult with your health insurer to determine your coverage benefits. These classes are billed as diabetes self-management training. If you insurance does not cover the cost of these classes, you will be responsible for paying the billed charges.

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Prediabetes Education

The Prediabetes class is a two-session class. Participants are scheduled to come back the next month for a follow-up.

This class is intended for anyone with pre-diabetes, impaired fasting glucose, insulin resistance, PCOS, a strong family history of diabetes or who is at risk of developing diabetes. It is open to the entire community; no referral is needed. Preregistration is required.

Instructor: Diabetes Education Team

Time: 3:30 to 5 p.m.

Dates: Fourth Wednesday of the month

Cost:$20

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Diabetes Support Group

Meet individuals who are coming to terms with the changes in their lives. Ask questions, and get information and support.

Instructor: A certified diabetes educator from the Diabetes Education Department

Time: 3:30 to 5 p.m.

Dates: Fourth Thursday of the month

Cost: No charge: Open to the entire community. No referral is needed.

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Insulin Pump Support Group

This class teaches diabetic individuals how to get the most from their insulin pump. The class will also cover topics such as carbohydrate counting, basal testing and how to operate advanced features on the pump. Specialists will also cover various topics to help individuals use the pump to manage their diabetes.

Instructor: Diabetes Education Team

Time: 3:30 to 5 p.m.

Dates: First Thursday of the month

Cost: No charge: Open to the entire community. No referral is needed.
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