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

Our three experienced diabetes educators offer online and in-person classes for diabetic patients and family members to understand and manage diabetic care. Classes include:

Diabetes Basics Care & Management

Learn about diabetes, medications, nutrition, blood glucose goals, and tools to help successfully manage diabetes.

Healthy Meal Planning

Learn about macronutrients, how carbohydrates affect your blood sugar, and suggestions for healthy meal planning.

Diabetes Medications, Exercise & Complications Prevention

Overview of diabetes medications, how diabetes can affect different parts of your body, and how to prevent problems/complications from diabetes.

Diabetes Support Group: Living Well with Diabetes

Connect, share, and learn in our Diabetes Support Group: Living Well with Diabetes. Gain practical tips, emotional support, and tools to manage life with diabetes.

Continuous Glucose Monitoring Session

Learn your blood glucose targets, hemoglobin A1c targets, and what lifestyle modifications you can start doing today to improve your glucose control.

Upcoming Class Schedule 

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

Click here to Register for In-Person or Online Classes 

 

Online

Online classes are held on Tuesdays and Wednesdays
In-Person

In-person classes are held Tuesdays and Wednesdays 

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
Diabetes Basics Care & Management

Learn about diabetes, medications, nutrition, blood glucose goals, and tools to help successfully manage diabetes.
May 5, 2025 9:00 – 10:30 a.m.    
June 2, 2025 9:00 – 10:30 a.m.    
July 7, 2025 9:00 – 10:30 a.m.    
August 11, 2025 9:00 – 10:30 a.m.    
 
Healthy Meal Planning

Learn about macronutrients, how carbohydrates affect your blood sugar, and suggestions for healthy meal planning.
April 29, 2025 5:00 – 6:30 p.m.    
May 7, 2025 9:00 – 10:30 a.m.    
May 27, 2025 5:00 – 6:30 p.m.    
June 11, 2025 9:00 – 10:30 a.m.    
June 24, 2025 5:00 – 6:30 p.m.    
July 2, 2025 9:00 – 10:30 a.m.    
July 29, 2025 5:00 – 6:30 p.m.    
August 6, 2025 9:00 – 10:30 a.m.    
August 26, 2025 5:00 – 6:30 p.m.    
Diabetes Medications, Exercise & Complications Prevention

Overview of diabetes medications, how diabetes can affect different parts of your body, and how to prevent problems/complications from diabetes.
April 14, 2025 9:00 – 10:30 a.m.    
May 12, 2025 9:00 – 10:30 a.m.    
June 9, 2025 9:00 – 10:30 a.m.    
July 14, 2025 9:00 – 10:30 a.m.    
August 18, 2025 9:00 – 10:30 a.m.    
Diabetes Support Group: Living Well with Diabetes

Connect, share, and learn in our Diabetes Support Group: Living Well with Diabetes. Gain practical tips, emotional support, and tools to manage life with diabetes.
    May 13, 2025 – Wethersfield 6:00 – 7:00 p.m.
Continuous Glucose Monitoring Session

Learn your blood glucose targets, hemoglobin A1c targets, and what lifestyle modifications you can start doing today to improve your glucose control.
    Check back for more 2025 dates!  
 
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.