Presenter: Lorena Drago, MS, RDN, CDN, CDCES

• This activity is approved by CDR for one (1) CPEU.

Participants will be able to compare and contrast meal patterns for persons with diabetes and create culturally rich meal plans, incorporating heritage foods that align with individuals’ cultural backgrounds.

They will learn how to create meal plans using patient-centered nutrition care principles. The session will explain how to utilize cross-cultural communication tools to ensure successful communication and understanding across diverse cultural backgrounds. 

About the Presenter: Lorena Drago is a registered dietician with experience in nutrition and diabetes education, cultural competency and health literacy to health care professional, organizations, and people with diabetes. She is owner of the Hispanic Foodways in Forest Hills, New York. She customizes, implements, delivers, and evaluate culturally appropriate diabetes self-management programs. She is an author of consumer and health care professional publications in nutrition, multicultural diabetes management, health literacy and Hispanic/Latino health.

Ms. Drago has held various national and state leadership roles. This includes involvement with the Association of Diabetes Care and Education Specialist. In 2019, she was the program committee chair of the Annual Meeting of the American Association of Diabetes Educators. She is also the Editor in Practice of the American Association of Diabetes.

She is an entrepreneur developing interactive tools for teaching Hispanic patients about portions and meal planning. She has been awarded many different awards, including but not limited the People’s Choice Diabetes Educator of the Year in 2012 by the Diabetic Living Magazine, and the New York City Small Business Award in 2006.