Renee Bond never aimed to change her life that day. She was just scrolling through Facebook when she saw a post from Intermountain Health St. James Hospital about their Healthy Lifestyles class. It spoke to her and her family history of diabetes.
In Montana, about 7% of adults have diabetes, and across the U.S., 136 million people are either diabetic or pre-diabetic. Bond’s father and grandfather battled diabetes, and she promised herself to stay healthy if she faced similar risks. So, she reached out to the hospital about the program.
When Bond learned she was pre-diabetic, it shocked her. “I had no idea until I was told I qualified for the class,” she said. That moment pushed her to take her health seriously.
The St. James Diabetes Prevention Program is a year-long course aimed at helping people at risk for diabetes make lasting changes. It covers health topics like stress management, nutrition, and physical activity based on guidelines from the National Diabetes Association.
Now, Bond regularly attends classes at the Southwest Montana Community Health Center with dietitian Joe Riordan. They use a “blue book” to track her meals—a tool that has given Bond a new sense of confidence. “When I write it down, I can see it,” she explains, highlighting her progress.
This is Bond’s second run through the program, and she has become a supportive figure in her class. “Renee is always the first to chime in with ideas,” Riordan noted. Her experiences encourage others to share their stories too.
Riordan recently won the Rising Star Award at the Montana Department of Health and Human Services Annual Diabetes Conference. He is passionate about nutrition and loves helping patients like Bond make meaningful changes. “It’s clear I’m making a difference,” he said.
The program not only teaches nutrition and exercise but also builds a community where participants share tips and celebrate small wins. “There’s a huge difference from the first day to the last,” Riordan observed. Watching participants grow and teach others gives him a deep sense of fulfillment.
For Bond, the results have been personal. Her A1C level dropped from 6.1 to 5.6, a clear sign that her efforts are paying off. “Two years and no medication,” she said proudly, sharing her success.
Bond’s journey, which began with a simple Facebook scroll, now helps many others in her community. By sharing her story, she inspires others to take control of their health too.
For more information about the Healthy Lifestyle classes at St. James, you can call 406-723-2960 or visit their website.
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,Intermountain Health
