Mother and daughter prepare a salad together

Our diabetes experts at Providence Little Company of Mary Medical Center Torrance are dedicated to helping you detect and control your diabetes so that you can maintain a normal healthy life. Our team provides quality education, support and self-management skills to individuals with diabetes.

Our goal is to help each patient and their family understand the complexities of diabetes and how to effectively manage it. While there is no cure for diabetes, our comprehensive services teach patients about the disease through education and support groups. Learning to regulate your blood sugar levels through a blend of good nutrition, exercise and, often, medication, is crucial to successfully controlling your diabetes. 

Our nationally certified diabetes educators are guided by board-certified endocrinologists, nurses and registered dietitians. Together, we work with you and your personal physician to develop an individualized diabetic care plan that fits your lifestyle.

Nationally recognized care

The Diabetes Self-Management Education Program at Providence Little Company of Mary Medical Center Torrance was the first in the South Bay to be recognized by the American Diabetes Association as a quality diabetes self-management education program.

This award is based on a rigorous clinical review process every three years to ensure high standards of diabetes care and education. 

Our tailored outpatient self-management program begins with an initial personal assessment. Then, our caring staff will work closely with your referring physician while educating you about diabetes. You will learn about home glucose monitoring, healthy nutrition, benefits of exercise, and healthy coping, so that you can control your diabetes and take pleasure in a better quality of life. Within one to three months after your first appointment, we will follow up with you to monitor your progress and/or ongoing needs.

Our Diabetes Self-Management Education Program offers:

  • Individual and group diabetes education sessions
  • Medication management
  • Blood glucose monitoring instruction
  • Insulin administration
  • Sweet Success program (affiliate of CDAPP) for diabetes care and management for pre-pregnancy and during pregnancy
  • Nutrition guidance, comprehensive meal planning and weight management 

Currently on hold due to COVID-19: 

  • Resources to community outreach programs
  • Free informational sessions about various diabetes related topics
  • Free professionally facilitated monthly support groups

Participation in the outpatient Diabetes Self-Management Education Program requires a referral from your physician/ healthcare provider. For more information about our Diabetes Self- Management Education Program, please call 310-303-5358.  

Self-management referral form 

Please download and print the diabetes self-management referral form and bring it with you when you see your doctor. You can also fax this form to 310-303-5308.

Clinical dietitians at Providence Little Company of Mary Medical Center Torrance are dedicated to teaching patients how to make nutritionally sound food choices no matter their disease or condition. Whether to speed up your recovery process, help you prevent disease, or just maintain a healthy lifestyle, our registered dietitians can put you on the path to optimal health.

Outpatient nutrition counseling services 

Using medical nutrition therapy (MNT) – an evidence-based, individualized nutrition process meant to help treat certain medical conditions – our registered dietitians will help you develop realistic goals to improve your health. Our nutrition counseling services can help improve conditions that include:

  • Diabetes (type 1, type 2, gestational)
  • Heart disease
  • Oncology
  • Kidney disease
  • GI disorders
  • Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS)
  • Obesity
  • Celiac disease
  • Pediatric failure to thrive
  • and more 
How to schedule an appointment 

Request a nutrition education referral form from your physician. 

Providers: To refer a patient via EPIC, follow instructions here.

Call or fax your nutrition education referral AND insurance authorization* to: 

Centralized Scheduling 
Phone: 310-303-6500 
Fax: 310- 303-5739 

The scheduler will give you detailed instructions for the day of your appointment. 

Registered dietitians are the nutrition professionals. Unlike the term “nutritionist,” a registered dietitian is a legally protected term. Registered dietitians must complete a minimum of a bachelor’s degree, 1200+ hours of supervised practice, pass a national board exam, comply with ethics guidelines and complete continuing education credits to maintain their credential.

We also have a Spanish speaking dietitian on staff to assist those who request it. 

Meet Our Nutrition Team 

 

Awards

U.S. News & World Report 2023-24 High-Performing Hospital for Diabetes

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