Call: 860-258-3470

Diabetes Education


Managing diabetes can be challenging! Starling is pleased to have two diabetes educators who work with patients to understand and manage diabetic care. They offer a wide range of group classes on topics related to diabetes care and management. These classes are free, very informative, and are offered in-person and online. They also provide 1:1 coaching.

Lillian (Lil) Vozzolo, RN, BS, CDCES is a Certified Diabetes Care and Education Specialist with over 20 years of experience and excellent teaching skills. She served as a Certified Diabetes Educator for over 15 years and has spent the last 9 years working within Starling Endocrinology. Lil’s services have now expanded to the broader Starling community, and she works with all Starling diabetic patients to effectively manage their care.

Our diabetes educators: Lillian (Lil) Vozzolo (left); Donna Denault (right)

 

Donna Denault, RN, MSN, CDCES is a Certified Diabetes Care and Education Specialist with a master’s degree in Education. She has over 20 years of nursing experience and providing education to patients and their families. She served as a Certified Diabetes Educator at the Hospital of Central Connecticut and as a health, wellness, and chronic care coach with a large primary care practice. With her colleague Lil, Donna’s experience has now expanded to the Starling Community where she works with all Starling patients with diabetes and chronic health issues to effectively manage their care. 

 

Group Classes

We are pleased to now offer group classes on a wide range of topics. Classes are held in-person at 1 Lake Street in New Britain or online. Classes include:

Prevention of Type 2 Diabetes

Learn how to live a healthy lifestyle including eating healthier, being physically active, and maintaining or reaching a healthy weight to help prevent diabetes and the complications of diabetes.

Diabetes Basics Care & Management

Overview on what is diabetes, medication instruction, balancing food, medication, nutrition and exercise, blood glucose goals, tools to help successfully manage diabetes.

Carbohydrate Counting & Meal Planning

Discussion on what are the macronutrients, how do carbohydrates affect your blood sugar, healthy meal planning.

Diabetes Medications & Prevention of Long-Term Complications

A brief overview of medications for your diabetes. Also, learn about how diabetes can affect different parts of your body and how to prevent problems/complications from diabetes.

Pump & Sensor Therapy

Introduction to continuous glucose monitoring, interpretation of glucose monitoring, professional CGM trials, individual and group training on personal devices.

Upcoming Class Schedule 

Classes are free but registration is required 7 business days before the class.   

Online

Online classes are held on Tuesdays from 9am – 10am.
In-Person

In-person classes are held on Mondays from 9am – 11am.

 

Diabetes Basics Care & Management
February 1, 2022 9am – 10am February 7, 2022 9am – 11am
March 8, 2022 9am – 10am April 4, 2022 9am – 11am
April 5, 2022 9am – 10am    
       

 

Carb Counting & Meal Planning
January 11, 2022 9am – 10am January 24, 2022 9am – 11am
February 8, 2022 9am – 10am February 21, 2022 9am – 11am
March 15, 2022 9am – 10am March 21, 2022 9am – 11am
April 19, 2022 9am – 10am April 18, 2022 9am – 11am
       

 

Diabetes Medications & Prevention of Long-Term Complications
January 18, 2022 9am – 10am

Jan. 31, 2022 CANCELLED

 9am – 11am
February 15, 2022 9am – 10am March 7, 2022 9am – 11am
March 22, 2022 9am – 10am    
April 26, 2022 9am – 10am    

 

Pump & Sensor Therapy
January 25, 2022 9am – 10am  
February 22, 2022 9am – 10am
March 29, 2022 9am – 10am
   

Online classes can be accessed from a computer, mobile device, phone, or video system. Click on the link below for login instructions. You must be registered to log in to the class.

Tips on How to Log On to a Class

In-person classes are held at 1 Lake Street in New Britain in the Multimedia room, which is located in Building B, Door 7  Classes will be limited to 8 participants. 

Click here for a map of 1 Lake Street

 

Click here to Register for In Person or Online Classes 

After registration and prior to the event you will receive an email with event details.

1:1 Coaching

Our educators are also available to work with patients in the office or via Telemedicine to go more in-depth on the usage of advanced diabetes management tools.

Contact us with questions at our main number at the Diabetes Center: 860-258-3480, ext. 1420

Our educators can be reached as follows: Lil: LiVozzolo@starlingphysicians.com / 860-258-3480, ext 5909 or Donna: ddenault@starlingphysicans.com / 860-258-3480, ext 5902.