Welcome to Champion Diabetes & Nutrition Services clinic! Education is provided by our Certified Diabetes Care & Education Specialists to empower patients to take an active role in the management of their health.
Services offered include:
- Diabetes Self-Management & Training (DSMT) Group Classes
EMPOWER Diabetes Group classes will be offered once the patient is established with the clinic. - Continuous Glucose Monitor (CGM)
Educator can only place device and provide education, referral required.
- Medical Nutrition Therapy (MNT) for:
– Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD)
– Kidney Transplant (within the last 36 months)
– Gestational Diabetes (GDM)
– Type 1 and Type 2 Diabetes
– Adolescent/Teens BMI > 95% PERCENTILE
– Cancer
– Weight Management
* Please call our office if you have a specific diagnosis not listed
IMPORTANT: Please have your clinic staff have patients call their insurance to see if they have coverage for MNT and DSMT benefits.
Our services are available by physician referral only. A referral must be obtained from the patient’s primary care provider or a specialist with a qualifying diagnosis. We also accept referrals from Pediatrics. All referrals should be written to Champion Diabetes and Nutrition Services.
Please call our office regarding Tricare patients before writing a referral, as Tricare is Provider specific.
OUR PROVIDERS
Shirley Dakin, RD, LD, CDCES – Registered Dietitian & Diabetes Educator
Shirley has been a Registered Dietitian for over 23 years. She began her career with Indian Health Service at the Northern Navajo Medical Center in Shiprock, NM where she focused on inpatient clinical nutrition over the lifespan to include diabetes, pediatrics, geriatrics and renal. From there she moved to the Veterans Health Care System in Biloxi, MS where she expanded her focus to include cardiac and oncology. During this period, she enhanced her outpatient counseling skills while becoming a Certified Diabetes Care and Education Specialist, participated in the roll out of the VA’s weight management program MOVE! and assisted with the facility Diabetes Education class. Finally, she returned to New Mexico to serve at the Mescalero Service Unit in Mescalero, NM where she used her expertise to augment the Tribal Diabetes Education Program with classes focusing on weight management, continuous glucose monitoring and diabetes prevention in children as well as general nutrition. She is looking forward to using her experience to enhance the services at Gerald Champion and expand community access.
Education: Masters: University of Alabama, Birmingham, AL, Dietetic Internship. Undergraduate: Appalachian State University, Boone, NC; Bachelor’s Degree in Food & Nutrition
Licensures: Board Certification: Registered/Licensed Dietitian, Certified Diabetes Education Care and Education Specialist
Shirley is also a Certified Martial Arts Instructor and enjoys leading classes and teaching the art of Tae Kwon Do and general fitness to students of all ages at the local Tiger Rock Academy.
For additional information about the programs and services offered, please contact the Champion Diabetes and Nutrition Services clinic.
Hours of Operation:
Monday-Friday: 8:00AM – 5:00PM
Closed for Lunch: 12:00PM – 1:00PM