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

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.

Continuous Glucose Monitoring Session

Gain insight into how Continuous Glucose Monitoring (CGM) works and how it helps you achieve healthy blood sugars. In class you will start with a free sample sensor and see blood glucose readings in less than an hour. 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.
December 2, 2024 9:00 – 10:30 a.m.    
January 13, 2025 9:00 – 10:30 a.m.    
February 3, 2025 9:00 – 10:30 a.m.    
March 3, 2025 9:00 – 10:30 a.m.    
April 7, 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.
November 20, 2024 9:00 – 10:30 a.m.    
December 3, 2024 5:00 – 6:30 p.m.    
December 18, 2024 9:00 – 10:30 a.m.    
January 8, 2025 9:00 – 10:30 a.m.    
January 28, 2025 5:00 – 6:30 p.m.    
February 5, 2025 9:00 – 10:30 a.m.    
February 25, 2025 5:00 – 6:30 p.m.    
March 5, 2025 9:00 – 10:30 a.m.    
March 25, 2025 5:00 – 6:30 p.m.    
April 2, 2025 9:00 – 10:30 a.m.    
April 29, 2025 5:00 – 6:30 p.m.    
 
Pump & Sensor Introduction
November 18, 2024 9:00 – 10:30 a.m.    
December 16, 2024 9:00 – 10:30 a.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.
December 9, 2024 9:00 – 10:30 a.m.    
January 20, 2025 9:00 – 10:30 a.m.    
February 10, 2025 9:00 – 10:30 a.m.    
March 10, 2025 9:00 – 10:30 a.m.    
April 14, 2025 9:00 – 10:30 a.m.    
 
Diabetes Support Group: Living Well with Diabetes
    February 5, 2025 – Wethersfield 6:00 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.
    November 20, 2024 (Dexcom) – Wethersfield 2:00 – 4:00 p.m.
    January 15, 2025 (Libre) – New Britain 2:00 – 4:00 p.m.
    January 15, 2025 (Dexcom) – Wethersfield 2:00 – 4:00 p.m.
    February 19, 2025 (Libre) – New Britain 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
    March 5, 2025 (Libre) – New Britain 2:00 – 4:00 p.m.
    March 12, 2025 (Dexcom) – Wethersfield 9:00 – 11:00 a.m.
    April 2, 2025 (Libre) – New Britain 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
    April 11, 2025 (Dexcom) – New Britain 2:00 – 4:00 p.m.
 
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.