Call: 860-258-3470

Diabetes Education


Managing diabetes can be challenging! Starling is pleased to have three 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. 

Jean M. Kostak, M.S., R.D., CD-N, CDCES is a Registered Dietitian and Certified Diabetes Care and Education Specialist. Jean has over 20 years of experience in the field of diabetes, focusing on diabetes self-management education, program development and oversight.  Her goal is always to provide quality education, clinical care, and management of people with diabetes. Here at Starling Physicians, she specializes in diabetes self-management education in group and individual sessions for people with pre-diabetes, Type 1 diabetes (multiple daily insulin injections & insulin pump therapies), Type 2 diabetes as well as diabetes in pregnancy. 

Our educators can be reached at (860) 348-4249 or caremgmt@starlingphysicians.com.

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. All online classes will be taught by Lillian Vozzolo.  Classes include:

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.  In-person classes will be taught by Donna Denault.

Healthy Meal Planning and Advanced Carb Counting Classes

Discussion on what are the macronutrients, how do carbohydrates affect your blood sugar, healthy meal planning. In-person classes will be taught by Jean Kostak.

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. In-person classes will be taught by Donna Denault.

Intro to 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 and Wednesdays
In-Person

In-person classes are held Tuesdays and Wednesdays 
 
Diabetes Basics Care & Management

Learn about diabetes, medications, nutrition, blood glucose goals, and tools to help successfully manage diabetes.
May 11, 2023 9:00 – 10:30 a.m.    
June 8, 2023 9:00 – 10:30 a.m.    
July 13, 2023 9:00 – 10:30 a.m.    
August 3, 2023 9:00 – 10:30 a.m.    
 
Healthy Meal Planning

Learn about macronutrients, how carbohydrates affect your blood sugar, and suggestions for healthy meal planning.
September 5, 2023 5:00 – 6:00 p.m.    
October 3, 2023 5:00 – 6:00 p.m.    
November 7, 2023 5:00 – 6:00 p.m.    
December 5, 2023 5:00 – 6:00 p.m.    
 
Diabetes Medications & Prevention of Long-Term Complications

Overview of diabetes medications, how diabetes can affect different parts of your body, and how to prevent problems/complications from diabetes.
    May 18, 2023 9:00 – 10:30 a.m.
    June 15, 2023 9:00 – 10:30 a.m.
    July 13, 2023 9:00 – 10:30 a.m.
    August 17, 2023 9:00 – 10:30 a.m.
 
Intro to Pump & Sensor Therapy

Introduction to continuous glucose monitoring, interpretation of glucose monitoring, professional CGM trials, and training on devices.
    May 25, 2023 9:00 – 10:30 a.m.
    June 22, 2023 9:00 – 10:30 a.m.
    August 24, 2023 9:00 – 10:30 a.m.
 
Advanced Carb Counting

Workshop for the person with diabetes using mealtime insulin with injections or insulin pump therapy. Improve carbohydrate counting skills and utilize an insulin-to-carb ratio for better control of your blood sugars after eating.
    September 27, 2023 2:00 – 4:00 p.m.
    October 25, 2023 2:00 – 4:00 p.m.
    November 29, 2023 2:00 – 4:00 p.m.
    December 20, 2023 2:00 – 4:00 p.m.

 

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.