MWHC Diabetes Self-Management Education and Support Services
Our diabetes management program offers education and support to individuals
who have been referred by a physician after receiving a diagnosis of diabetes.
Starting your diabetes wellness journey can be overwhelming, but your
Diabetes Care and Educational Specialist is here to help. These videos
are a great place to start:
what is a Diabetes Care and Educational Specialist and
when you should see one.
In collaboration with your physician, our team of diabetes experts (nurses
and dietitians) specializes in helping you and your family develop the
skills, knowledge, and confidence to successfully manage your diabetes.
You will meet with our highly trained educators individually and/or in
small group sessions over a period of about three months to develop a
plan that works best for you. This allows time for you to apply what you’ve
learned and develop healthy habits.
View our playlist on YouTube of diabetes-related videos and education. Click the menu button
next to the Watch later button to choose a different video.
Our services have been awarded recognition by the
American Diabetes Association (ADA). Our educators are all registered nurses and dietitians with expertise
in helping participants learn to manage their diabetes.
Living Well With Diabetes Program
Topics Include:
Healthy eating and meal planning
Reading food labels
Exercising for better health
Monitoring your blood sugar
Balancing food, exercise and medications
Avoiding complications
Eating out
Healthy coping and problem solving
Our services include a series of small group sessions or individual appointments,
spread out over about three months to allow for behavior change and applied learning.
Specifically designed to educate and support those dependent on insulin
to meet their blood glucose targets. You will learn how to adjust your
insulin based on eating and exercise plans. These services are tailored
to your needs and include:
Carbohydrate counting
Continuous glucose monitoring
Insulin pump training
"All the readings and research I've done regarding diabetes was not
as informative as being able to sit and talk one-on-one. I was made to
feel at ease immediately." - PD
Scheduling (for all locations):
Please call us at
540.741.2210 to discuss scheduling for these services. A physician referral is required.
Most insurance plans, including Medicare, cover Diabetes Self-Management
training. We encourage you to check with your insurance plan to find out
what your plan covers. Telehealth audio/visual visits are available as
an option.
Meet our expert team of clinicians that will provide you with the skills
and tools needed to manage diabetes and continue your journey to better
health. Our team has a vast background of knowledge and experience that
allows us to offer specialized education to meet your individual goals
for success. Our diabetes team will develop an individualized plan of
care in collaboration with you, your family, and your physician.
Stefanie Rekdal, BS, RD, CDCES, CPT* Team Leader & Diabetes Educator
BS in Nutritional Sciences from Cornell University
Dietetic Internship - Virginia State University
Over 25 years of experience as a dietitian
Over 20 years experience as a CDCES
MWH Employee of the Month July 2015
Specializes in renal nutrition and insulin pumps/CGM therapy
Stefanie enjoys spending time with her husband and two boys and creating
greeting cards.
Parminder Singh, BSN, RN, CDCES* Diabetes Educator
BS in Nursing from University of Mary Washington
20 years of experience as an RN
Specializes in cardiac care
Parminder enjoys visiting her homeland of Scotland with her husband and
two children, and hiking.
Jody Long, MS, RD, CDCES* Diabetes Educator
MS in Poultry Science Texas A&M University
BS in Animal Science University of Illinois
Dietetic Internship – Houston VA Hospital
Over 25 years of experience as a dietitian
Specializes in adult nutrition and weight loss management
Jody enjoys yoga, cycling, hiking, gardening, and spending time with the
cows, emus, and chickens on 30 acre farm.
Courtney Wilkerson, BSN, RN*, CDCES Diabetes Educator
BS in Nursing from George Mason University
5 years of experience as an RN
Associate of the Month April 2021
Courtney enjoys spending time with her family, friends, and cat; vegetable
gardening; and playing trivia games.
Sarah Whitson, BS, RD* Diabetes Educator
BS in Human Nutrition, Foods, and Exercise from Virginia Tech
Dietetic Internship - Virginia Department of Health
8 years of experience as a dietitian
Sarah likes cycling and cooking, and enjoys spending time with her husband,
two boys, and two dogs.
Gitte Lett Diabetes Service Specialist
Mary Washington Associate for over 20 years providing outstanding customer
service and program support
Gitte likes to bake and cook, enjoys spending time with her husband, four
children, and two dogs and traveling to her homeland of Denmark.
*BS Bachelor of Science
MS Master of Science
RD Registered Dietitian
CDCES Certified Diabetes Care and Education Specialist
CPT Certified Pump Trainer
BSN Bachelor of Science Nursing
RN Registered Nurse
