Diabetes
Education

RVA Health and Nutrition Educators
RVA Health and Nutrition Educators is an outpatient diabetes education center in Richmond, Virginia, offering personalized and group-based programs for individuals with Type 1 diabetes, Type 2 diabetes, and gestational diabetes. Our certified diabetes educators provide diabetes self-management training, support for prediabetes, and instruction on blood sugar monitoring, insulin use, glucose meters, and low-carb meal planning. We also offer training on insulin pumps and continuous glucose monitors (CGMs), along with nutrition classes and chronic disease support to help patients manage their condition with confidence.
RVA Health and Nutrition Educators is adjacent to Virginia Endocrinology Located at:
2360 Colony Crossing Place
Midlothian, VA 23112
Phone: 804-423-6979
Fax: 804-423-6985
What is the benefit of attending Diabetes Education?
Diabetes is a challenging disease that requires you to make complex decisions about your care on a daily basis. Meeting with a Diabetes Care and Education Specialist (CDCES) for diabetes education can help you learn to manage these challenges. A CDCES is an experienced healthcare professional such as a registered nurse, a registered dietitian or a pharmacist. They have special training in assisting patients with diabetes and can help design a management plan that is tailored to your life style.
Diabetes Education Group or Individual Sessions
Diabetes Self- Management Education Sessions (DSMES) is a series of group classes or individual sessions that are spread out over 3 months. They are taught by a Certified Diabetes Care and Education Specialist and cover:
  • Nutrition and meal planning
  • Exercise
  • Blood Glucose Monitoring
  • Taking Your Diabetes Medication
  • Complications and how to prevent them
  • Healthy coping strategies
  • How to problem solve
  • Goal setting
Gestational Diabetes
Gestational Diabetes is diabetes that occurs during pregnancy in women who do not have diabetes prior to pregnancy. It is important to keep your blood sugars in good control during your pregnancy to keep you and your baby safe. Working with a Certified Diabetes Care and Education Specialist can help you learn strategies for good blood sugar control during pregnancy.
Education sessions include:
  • Nutrition and meal planning
  • Exercise (if it is safe to do so)
  • Blood glucose Monitoring
  • Medication Management (if needed)
  • Healthy coping Strategies
  • Problem solving
  • Goal settings
Insulin Pump and Continuous Glucose Monitors
Insulin pump and Continuous Glucose Monitors (CGM’s) can assist patients in managing their blood glucose levels. Insulin pumps deliver insulin continuously throughout the day to manage blood sugar levels. Continuous Glucose Monitors (CGM’s) are a great tool in monitoring blood sugar levels, can reduce the need for finger sticks and some even integrate with the insulin pumps for greater blood sugar control.
Meeting with a CDCES will help you:
  • Learn about what insulin pump and CGM options are available
  • Help you in making the best technology decision for you
  • Train you on how to set up and use your device and the features available to you
Meet our Clinical Staff
Amy Vaughan, RD, CDCES
Amy grew up here in Richmond, VA. She attended Meredith College for her undergraduate degree in Food and Nutrition where she also completed her dietetic internship. She started in Diabetes Education in 2005 working for the Bon Secours Diabetes Treatment center and earned her CDCES certification in 2008. She has also worked at VCU Health’s Division of Pediatric Endocrinology as a diabetes educator. Her areas of interest include teaching Diabetes Self- Management Education Classes, working with Gestational Diabetes patient and working with insulin pump and CGM patients. In her free time she enjoys reading, gardening and spending time with her husband, daughter and cats.