Bank Foundation Supports Diabetes Program

(L.-R.) Barry Cosel-Pieper, Director of Development at Winthrop-University Hospital; Marion Conway, Executive Director of the Roslyn Savings Foundation; Virginia Peragallo-Dittko, RN, BC-ADM, MA, CDE, Director of the Diabetes Education Center at Winthrop; and Dining Out with Diabetes Program presenter Lynne Chimon, RD, CDE, CDN, Diabetes Nutritionist at Winthrop's Diabetes Education Center. The Diabetes Education Center at Winthrop-University Hospital is committed to educating people with diabetes about how to make healthy menu choices at restaurants and social gatherings through its innovative Dining Out with Diabetes Program. A generous $5,000 grant from the Roslyn Savings Foundation has supported the Diabetes Education Center's continued efforts to offer the program to individuals by hosting sessions at local restaurants throughout the year.

The Dining Out with Diabetes Program teaches strategies to help people with diabetes enjoy restaurant dining without sacrificing their diabetes self-management. Prior to each program, Lynne Chimon, a registered dietitian from the Diabetes Education Center, meets with the chef at the participating establishment to research ingredients and cooking methods and conduct a nutritional analysis of select meals. During the program, Ms. Chimon presents the findings of the analysis and gives participants tips for making healthy food choices. Following the lecture, participants have the opportunity to apply what they've learned by selecting and enjoying a healthy meal from the menu.

"Making healthful food choices when dining out is a critical skill in the management of diabetes," said Virginia Peragallo-Dittko, RN, BC-ADM, MA, CDE, Director of the Diabetes Education Center at Winthrop. "The Diabetes Education Center is grateful for the Roslyn Savings Foundation's support of the innovative Dining Out with Diabetes Program which is now in its tenth year."

So far this year, the Dining Out with Diabetes programs funded through the grant have been held at Uncle Bacala's Restaurant in Garden City Park and Red Lobster in Carle Place. The next program in the series is scheduled for the fall.

Celebrating 30 years of service to the community, the Diabetes Education Center at Winthrop-University Hospital is a pioneer in the field of diabetes education. The Diabetes Education Center was the first outpatient diabetes education program in New York State to be accredited by the national American Diabetes Association, and continues to provide outstanding educational and community outreach programs to more than 2,000 patients annually.

For more information on the Diabetes Education Center at Winthrop-University Hospital and its comprehensive programs, please call (516) 663-2350.