BOSTON, MA – June 22, 2023 – The Boston Public Library today announced a new event series titled “Navigating Diabetes Through Food and Community.” It is a two-week program with sessions held online or in-person at the Roxbury Branch of the Boston Public Library or the Grove Hall Stop & Shop. The series is presented in partnership with Stop & Shop Nutrition Partners and is funded by Point32Health Foundation.
Patrons are invited to join one or many sessions where they will learn from professionals who value scientific research and the important role community plays when treating diabetes. Sessions will cover a range of topics including community building, healthy cooking demonstrations, Qi Gong movement, and more. According to the CDC, 37.3 million Americans, 11.3% of the population, have diabetes, and 96 million Americans over the age of 18 are living with prediabetes. Whether patrons have been diagnosed with diabetes, prediabetes, or live with someone with these diagnoses, all are welcome. Registration is required for each session.
Session details are outlined here, and session leader bios are included below:
Taking Care of You - Diabetes Self-care | 7/10, 6:30pm – 7:45pm, Online
- In this session, Sue-Ellen Anderson-Haynes, MS, RD, CDCES, LDN, NASM-CPT, will lead an inspiring lecture where she speaks about the importance of taking care of yourself and the art of diabetes self-care. Her lecture will be followed by a diabetic-food friendly cooking demonstration by Nutritionist Christine Sinclair, MA, MS, RD, LDN.
Qi Gong Movement and Meditation for Diabetes| 7/11, 6:30pm – 8pm, Online
- In this session, Carl Donaldson, DTCM, PhD, MMQ, will speak about the powerful role of Qi Gong movement and meditation to impact diabetes.
Delicious Eating for Diabetes | 7/12, 6:30pm – 7:45pm, Online
- In this session, Nutritionist Christine Sinclair, MA, MS, RD, LDN will give a talk about the importance of nutrition when treating diabetes. Chef Cynthia Haynes has teamed up with Christine to demonstrate diabetic friendly foods to inspire attendees when cooking at home.
An Empowered Approach to Diabetes Education and Your Health | 7/13, 6:30pm – 7:45pm, Online
- This session will be facilitated by Dr. Lucy Lomas where she will speak about the value of community and the power of knowledge when living with diabetes.
- Free grab bags of snacks will be available for the first 25 registrants to pick up at Stop & Shop, located at the Grove Hall Wellness Center; 460 Blue Hill Ave. from 1:30- 5:30pm on Thursday, 7/13.
- Dr. Lomas will be joined by Nutritionist Christine Sinclair who will speak about the snacks provided in the grab bags.
Qi Gong Movement and Meditation for Diabetes | 7 /14, 11:00am – 12:30pm, Online
- In this session, Carl Donaldson, DTCM, PhD, MMQ, will speak about the powerful role of Qi Gong movement and meditation to impact diabetes.
Delicious Eating for Diabetes | 7/17, 3:00pm – 4:30pm, Roxbury Branch
- In this session, Nutritionist Christine Sinclair, MA, MS, RD, LDN; and Chef Cynthia Haynes will lead a diabetic-food friendly cooking demonstration.
Taking Care of You - Diabetes Self-care | 7/17, 6:00pm – 7:15pm, Roxbury Branch
- In this session, Sue-Ellen Anderson-Haynes, MS, RD, CDCES, LDN, NASM-CPT, will lead an inspiring lecture where she speaks about the importance of taking care of yourself, and the art of diabetes self-care.
Qi Gong Movement and Meditation for Diabetes | 7/19, 12:30pm – 2:30pm, Roxbury Branch
- In this session, Carl Donaldson, DTCM, PhD, MMQ, will speak about the powerful role of Qi Gong movement and meditation to impact diabetes.
An Empowered Approach to Diabetes Education and Your Health | 7/20, 11am – 12:30pm, Stop & Shop, Grove Hall, Wellness Center Room, 460 Blue Hill Ave.
- This session will be facilitated by Dr. Lucy Lomas where she will lead a community building session about the value of community and the power of knowledge when living with diabetes.
Qi Gong Movement and Meditation for Diabetes | 7/22, 2:30pm – 4:30pm, Roxbury Branch
- In this session, Carl Donaldson, DTCM, PhD, MMQ, will speak about the powerful role of Qi Gong movement and meditation to impact diabetes.
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Sue-Ellen Anderson-Haynes, MS, RD, CDCES, LDN, NASM-CPT is a mother, wife, co-author, health writer, recipe developer, health speaker, diabetes and fitness expert, and holistic plant-based women’s health registered dietitian. She is a Certified Diabetes Care and Education Specialist, National Academy of Sports Medicine Women’s Fitness Specialist Certified Personal Trainer and holds her Certificate of Training in Adult Weight Management. Sue-Ellen is also currently the National Media Spokesperson for the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, Nominating Committee Co-Chair for Massachusetts Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, Chair-elect for Dietitians in Integrative and Functional Medicine Dietetics Practice Group and an active member of Boston Organization of Nutritionist and Dietitians of Color.
Carl Donaldson is the founder and owner of The Healthy Crane Wellness Center located in Arlington, MA. Carl has a Clinical Doctorate degree in Traditional Chinese Medicine from the University of Bridgeport, CT and he earned his PhD and Master of Medical Qi Gong degree from the Three Treasures Holistic School in Miami, FL. Carl believes that every person can heal on a physical and emotional level through targeted nutrition, slow body movement, meditation, and breath work. He has grounded his approach in treating his clients and patients in the ancient Eastern philosophies that the ultimate balance in individuals is gained through approaching and treating the whole person through the integration of mind, body, and breath.
Cynthia Haynes is a graduate of the acclaimed Le Cordon Bleu School of Culinary Arts and the University of Massachusetts - Boston. She also studied with the Wine and Spirits Education Trust and has provided behind-the-scenes production for events such as the Boston Wine Expo at the Seaport World Trade Center, and the New England Food and Service Trade Show.
Lucy Lomas MD is an OB GYN physician with over 10 years of clinical experience. She is a community leader and a health and wellness expert. Lucy serves as the director of community health and wellness for the New England Medical Association, a network of black physicians. She is also leading a wellness initiative to bring a wellness center to Roxbury that prioritizes the physical, mental, emotional and spiritual well-being of patients and healthcare workers.
Christine Sinclair leads health and wellness programs and initiatives for Stop & Shop in the Grove Hall and Boston areas. As a registered dietitian nutritionist, she is an advocate for cultural integration and community nutrition and has a passion for addressing chronic conditions through a food as medicine approach. She enjoys offering cooking demonstrations, developing and delivering nutrition programs and partnering with customers on creating a plan for healthful eating for life all while encouraging them to reach other life goals through a healthy lifestyle lens.
