Boston Medical Center’s Diabetes Education program is designed to help you and your primary care providers understand your diabetes and any related conditions through education, medication, monitoring, and nutrition and exercise recommendations. Even small changes in behaviors can lead to improvements in health and health-related quality of life!
Empowering Patients with Skills and Support
Diabetes Education is a program of BMC’s Department of Endocrinology, Diabetes, Nutrition, and Weight Management. The program aims to enhance self-care knowledge and skills, support behavioral change, promote general health, and reduce the risk of complications associated with diabetes. This can include individual visits with endocrinologists, nurse practitioners, registered nurses, pharmacists, and dietitians.
BMC offers individual and group classes for diabetes education. You may meet with diabetes education team staff in the group, individually, or in both settings. Courses are often paired with a cooking demonstration and tasting.
Providers: In order to place a referral for Diabetes Education in EPIC, go to Orders and select DSME. Choose group or individual as appropriate.
November Is Diabetes Awareness Month!
According to the latest report from the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), about 40.1 million people in the United States have diabetes. That’s about 1 in every 10 people. Of those people with diabetes, 1 in 5 do not know they have it. About 115.2 million adults in the US—more than 2 in 5 adults—have prediabetes. Of those with prediabetes, more than 8 in 10 do not know they have it.
To find out if you might have prediabetes or diabetes, take the 60-second diabetes risk test from the American Diabetes Association and share the result with your healthcare provider.
And to learn more about how to prevent prediabetes and how to manage day-to-day living with diabetes, join our group classes!
30-Day Activity Challenge
Please join the Diabetes Education team in a 30-day activity challenge to promote a healthy lifestyle and understanding of how small changes can have a big positive impact on health outcomes for those living with diabetes. The daily activity calender is available in English, Spanish, Haitian Creole, and Portuguese.
Diabetes Education Classes
About Our Classes
Diabetes Education group classes are offered quarterly and typically consist of three sessions held over a five-week period. Each of the three sessions covers different topics related to diabetes.
For calendar year 2027, all classes are currently scheduled to meet on Thursdays, in person and via telemedicine. Time of class alternates seasonally between mornings (9–11 a.m.) and evenings (5–7 p.m.).
Other courses we have offered include how to use a continuous glucose monitor (CGM) and advanced cooking/nutrition for diabetes.
Questions?
For locations of classes, or if you have other questions, please email DSME@bmc.org. You may also call the Department of Endocrinology at 617.638.7470 and ask for Cassie.
Comprehensive Diabetes Education*
- Winter (January/February)
- Class 1: Thursday, January 7, 9–11 a.m.
- Class 2: Thursday, January 21, 9–11 a.m.
- Class 3: Thursday, February 4, 9–11 a.m.
- Spring (April)
- Class 1: Thursday, April 1, 5–7 p.m.
- Class 2: Thursday, April 15, 5–7 p.m.
- Class 3: Thursday, April 29, 5–7 p.m.
- Summer (July)
- Class 1: Thursday, July 1, 9–11 a.m.
- Class 2: Thursday, July 15, 9–11 a.m.
- Class 3: Thursday, July 29, 9–11 a.m.
- Autumn (October/November)
- Class 1: Thursday, October 7, 5–7 p.m.
- Class 2: Thursday, October 21, 5–7 p.m.
- Class 3: Thursday, November 4, 5–7 p.m.
* DSME/T referral required.
Further Resources for Topics Covered in Class
Exercise and Stress Relief
- Guided meditation/breathing exercises:
Headspace: Grounding Exercise for Racing Minds: Calming Meditation with Dora Kamau
Headspace: Mini Meditation: Let Go of Stress - Tutorial on wall push-ups: Margaret Martin, Physical Therapist: BEST Wall Push Ups for Seniors & Beginners
Nutrition
- Sources of protein: American Diabetes Association: Protein Food for Diabetes
- Guidance on whole grains: American Heart Association: Get to Know Grains: Why You Need Them, and What to Look For
Medical Safety
- Staying aware of your blood pressure: PharmaSmart: Blood Pressure Kiosk Locations
- Sharps safety: U.S. Food & Drug Administration: Be Smart with Sharps (PDF)
Our Team
Diabetes Education team, from left to right: Katelyn O’Brien, PharmD-CDCES, Kyle Bertram, PharmD-CDCES, Molly Brennan, RN-CDCES, Mara Garwood, RD-CDCES, Corrine Aia, RD-CDCES, Elizabeth Brouillard, RD-CDCES, Sheicia Paul, RN-CDCES
Corinne Aia, RDN, CDCES
Registered Dietitian; Certified Diabetes Care and Education Specialist
Corinne Aia is a registered dietitian/nutritionist and a certified diabetes care and education specialist. She attended Simmons University and completed her dietetic internship at the University at Buffalo in Buffalo, New York.
Corinne teaches group classes and provides individual diabetes education and medical nutrition therapy. She is an insulin pump trainer with experience helping patients use the latest diabetes technologies to improve the quality of their unique lifestyles. Corinne also contributes to research at BMC that focuses on the adoption of diabetes technology in clinical settings.
Kyle Bertram, PharmD, BCACP, CDCES
Clinical Specialist – Endocrinology; Certified Diabetes Care and Education Specialist
Kyle Bertram, PharmD, is a clinical pharmacist, board-certified Ambulatory Care Pharmacist (BCACP), and certified diabetes care and education specialist. He received his doctorate in pharmacy from Northeast Ohio Medical University and completed a year of residency in Wilmington, North Carolina, and a second year specializing in clinic practice in Atlanta, Georgia.
As a part of the diabetes education team, Dr. Bertram enjoys working directly with patients to ensure they are on the right medications, ensuring the medications they are taking are working the best they can, ensuring everyone has access to technologies to ease stress around blood sugar, and working with patients toward healthy weight goals.
Molly Brennan, BSN, RN-CDCES
Registered Nurse; Certified Diabetes Care and Education Specialist
Molly Brennan, BSN, RN-CDCES, is a Registered Nurse and Certified Diabetes Care and Education Specialist. She received her Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree from Endicott College.
Molly provides individual diabetes education as well as group education classes. She is an insulin pump trainer who enjoys teaching people how to use technology to improve their health and quality of life. Molly is passionate about learning, and using knowledge as a tool for action.
Elizabeth Brouillard, RDN, CDCES
Certified Diabetes Care and Education Specialist
Elizabeth Brouillard is a registered dietitian/nutritionist and certified diabetes care and education specialist. She attended the University of Maryland and completed her dietetic internship at New York–Presbyterian Hospital in New York City.
Elizabeth is an insulin pump trainer who specializes in diabetes technology. She provides comprehensive diabetes education and medical nutrition therapy to patients, helping them manage their condition through personalized care and advanced treatment tools. In addition, she actively participates in research to determine the most effective diabetes technologies for improving patient outcomes.
Mara Garwood, RDN, CDCES
Certified Diabetes Care and Education Specialist
Mara Garwood is a registered dietitian and certified diabetes care and education specialist. She attended the University of Vermont and completed her dietetic internship at Cedar Crest College. Mara offers individual and group medical nutrition therapy and diabetes education. She works with patients to guide their lifestyle towards improved quality of life involving food choices, exercise habits, chronic disease management, and self-advocacy.
Katelyn O’Brien, PharmD, BCPS, CDCES, BC-ADM
Clinical Pharmacist - Endocrinology; Certified Diabetes Care and Education Specialist
Katelyn O’Brien, PharmD, is a clinical pharmacist and certified diabetes care and education specialist. She attended the University of Connecticut School of Pharmacy in Storrs, Connecticut, and completed her PGY1 Pharmacy Residency at VA Boston Healthcare System. She is board certified in the areas of Pharmacotherapy Specialty (BCPS) and Advanced Diabetes Management (BC-ADM).
Dr. O’Brien has been named the 2026 Diabetes Care and Education Specialist of the Year by the Association of Diabetes Care and Education Specialists. As a pharmacist, she helps patients get on the right medications for their diabetes. She is passionate about using diabetes technologies to improve outcomes.
Sheicia Paul, BSN, RN-CDCES
Registered Nurse; Certified Diabetes Care and Education Specialist
Sheicia Paul has been a registered nurse for two decades and a certified diabetes care and education specialist for seven years. She received her BSN from the University of Massachusetts, Dartmouth.
Sheicia is the American Diabetes Association Quality Coordinator for the diabetes education program at Boston Medical Center. She is passionate about educating people in self-management of their diabetes, ensuring they have access to the latest standards of care in diabetes, and using technology effectively to improve outcomes and help patients lead fulfilling lives.
Sheicia chose to work at BMC because she wants to focus on health equity for all and believes in the BMC mission, “exceptional care, without exception.”
Diabetes Resource Book
Managing diabetes can feel overwhelming, but you don’t have to do it alone. Boston Medical Center has created a diabetes resource book to help you build healthy habits, learn key skills, and stay on top of your care.
Inside, you’ll find practical tips on everything from healthy eating and stress management to blood sugar monitoring and staying active.
Also available in: Español | Kreyòl Ayisyen | Português Brasileiro | Tiếng Việt
Diabetes information found on these pages should not replace education or instruction from your healthcare provider or certified diabetes educator. We encourage all patients to personalize their diabetes management in collaboration with their healthcare team.