LEARN HOW TO BETTER MANAGE YOUR DIABETES
Diabetes education provides you with the knowledge and tools to manage your diabetes. Our specially trained educators tailor sessions to your needs. You can choose to focus on topics such as:
- diet and exercise,
- carbohydrate counting,
- how to monitor your blood glucose,
- medication and insulin use,
- sick day protocols, and
- other survival skills.
We offer both individual and group sessions, and you are welcome to bring a family member or friend to support your learning journey.
Request a Diabetes Education Appointment
To make an appointment, you must have a diabetes diagnosis and referral from your health care provider. Once you have this information, you can call 801-581-7761 to request an appointment.
Diabetes Educators
Christine Altamirano, RD, LDN
Christine Altamirano is a registered and licensed dietitian. She received both her bachelor’s degree in exercise science and her master’s degree in nutrition and integrative physiology from the University of Utah. She enjoys helping her patients personalize their diabetes management to fit their lifestyle and meet their goals. She is a certified product trainer on all available insulin pumps and continuous glucose monitors.
When she isn't working she can be found spending time with family and friends, experimenting with new recipes in the kitchen, or putting paintbrush to canvas.
Dana Dopita RN, MSN, CDCES
Dana is a registered nurse and certified diabetes educator. She graduated from the College of Nursing at Westminster College in 1989 and then obtained her master of science in nursing at the University of Phoenix. Dana is a certified trainer for insulin pumps and continuous glucose monitoring sensors and has also participated in research studies related to sensor technologies.
She herself has type 1 diabetes and enjoys spending time with family, traveling, reading, skiing, hiking, and playing with her dog. She sets a positive example for her patients to show them that living with diabetes is possible.
Emily Gilgen, RD, CDCES
Emily is a Registered Dietitian since 2005 and Certified Diabetes Care and Education Specialist since 2008 and has been working in diabetes care ever since. She has been involved in research throughout her career and provides diabetes and lifestyle counseling for research studies in addition to working at the Utah Diabetes and Endocrinology Center. She is a certified product trainer for all available insulin pumps and continuous glucose monitors. Her positive approach helps patients realize their own ability to improve their quality of life while managing their diabetes better. In her free time, she loves playing the piano, singing, cooking, gardening, and soccer, especially when she can do those things with her family.
Meg Graf MS, RD, CDCES
Meg received her bachelor’s degree in psychology from the University of Utah and her master’s degree in nutrition from the University of Utah as well. Meg worked as a renal dietitian before making the switch to diabetes education.
Meg has worked at the Utah Diabetes and Endocrinology Center since 2011. She loves helping people make changes to improve their lives. Meg is an avid reader and loves biking, hiking, baking, kitchen dance parties, and spending time with her family.
Shahrzad Jalili, MS, RD, CDCES
Shahrzad is a registered dietitian and certified diabetes educator. She graduated from Beheshti University of Medical Sciences in Iran, in 2007, with a bachelor of science in nutrition science and dietetics. Later in 2009 she moved to Utah to peruse graduate studies at the University of Utah; she graduated in 2011 with a master's of science in nutrition science and obtained her registered dietitian credentials for practicing in US. She is currently a doctorate student in public health program, at the University of Utah, working on her dissertation that is related to diabetes. She is a certified product trainer for all the available insulin pumps and continuous glucose monitors.
She enjoys working with patients with diabetes, learning about their challenges, and assisting them to overcome challenges and reach their goals. She enjoys spending time with her family, cooking, and hiking.
Jorie Jasmin, RN, BSN
Jorie is a Registered Nurse and received her bachelor’s degree from Weber State University. She is currently studying for the Certified Diabetes Care and Education Specialist exam. Jorie’s past experience includes oncology, pain management, and urgent care. Her passion for learning and teaching has driven her to pursue diabetes education where she aims to empower patients through effective management and treatment of diabetes. She is interested in leveraging emerging technologies for better patient outcomes. Outside of her professional life, Jorie enjoys staying active with indoor swimming and running, cherishes spending time with her family, and loves unwinding with her favorite comfort shows.
Donna J Mark, MS, RD, CDCES
Donna J Mark is a registered dietitian and a certified diabetes educator. She received her BS in dietetics from California Polytechnic University and her master's degree in nutrition from the University of New Mexico. Her passion is to work with people and assist them in making positive lifestyle changes. She provides individualized care for her patients who manage their diabetes with oral medications to pump therapy and the use of the continuous glucose monitoring systems.
On Donna's off time she loves to walk her dogs and hunt for rocks in the mountains of Utah, but her favorite activity is spending time with family and her precious grandchildren.
DRIVING OUT DIABETES: ADDITIONAL DIABETES EDUCATION PROGRAMS
Intensive Diabetes Education and Support (IDEAS)
University of Utah Health’s Intensive Diabetes Education and Support (IDEAS) is a unique one-day program that offers personalized care as well as diabetes education in a small group setting. It includes activities like establishing diabetes treatment goals, reviewing the latest medications and technology, and participating in a cooking demonstration.
Diabetes Complications Program
Early detection of diabetes complications can allow for early treatment, slowing the progression of the complication and improving quality of life. Because individuals with diabetes are at a high risk for developing eye complications, the Diabetes Complication Program offers retinal testing to identify early stage eye complications. Each test takes less than 15 minutes to complete.
