USA Health’s Obstetrics and Gynecology department adds diabetes resource coordinator
Tinsley Chavers, R.D., C.D.C.E.S, is the first diabetes educator to join the OB/GYN department. In her role, she will help manage preexisting and gestational diabetes for women experiencing high-risk pregnancies.
By Brittany Otis
botis@health.southalabama.edu
Tinsley Chavers, R.D., C.D.C.E.S, a certified diabetes educator and dietitian, is the newest addition to the Obstetrics and Gynecology (OB/GYN) team at USA Health.
Chavers is the first diabetes educator to join the OB/GYN department. In her role, she will help manage preexisting and gestational diabetes for women experiencing high-risk pregnancies.
“I help patients by assessing their overall diabetes management through self-care behaviors such as healthy eating, staying active, monitoring and taking medications and reducing diabetes risks,” Chavers said.
Chavers is not new to USA Health. Her previous role was at the pediatric endocrinology clinic as a dietitian and diabetes educator. “The patient population that I served in my former position was the reason I wanted to pursue a career at USA Health,” she said. “Our health system has numerous specialty and subspecialty clinics that serve patients from across the state. I am grateful I was able to transfer my skills to help women who may be experiencing difficult pregnancies.”
Diabetes during pregnancy, including type 1, type 2, or gestational diabetes, can negatively impact the health of women and their babies. For women with type 1 or type 2 diabetes, research shows that high blood sugar around the time of conception increases a newborn’s risk of birth defects, stillbirth and preterm birth.
Mimi Munn, M.D., chair of obstetrics and gynecology and a maternal-fetal medicine physician with USA Health, is excited about the skills Chavers brings to the department. “We are thrilled to have Tinsley on the OB/GYN side as she brings a wealth of dietary and diabetes management knowledge to the department,” said Munn. “She will help our patients, who may struggle with diabetes, understand that a change in lifestyle could result in a healthy pregnancy.”
Before starting at USA Health, Chavers earned a bachelor’s degree from the University of Alabama in Tuscaloosa. She also earned a master’s degree in human nutrition at Alabama.
While working at USA Health, Chavers hopes to create a program that explains the education protocol for patients with a diabetes diagnosis.
Patients have to be referred by a physician to see Chavers. To schedule an appointment, call the OB/GYN department at (251) 415-1496.
