Implementation and outcomes of the Balanced Living with Diabetes program conducted by Cooperative Extension in rural communities in Virginia

A/Prof Carlin Rafie

qualifications: PhD, RD

contribution: Study conception and design, Acquisition of data, Analysis and interpretation of data, Drafting of manuscript, Critical revision

position: Assistant Professor

I hold a doctoral degree in Nutrition and Dietetics from Florida International University and am a Registered Dietitian. I received her Bachelor of Science in biology, and Master of Science in Food, Nutrition & Institution Administration from Oklahoma State University. Upon graduating with my MS, I moved to Honduras, Central America with my husband and one-year old son, where I spent the first fourteen years of my professional career. This afforded me some unique opportunities that I might not have had in the United States, such as serving as a consultant for Weight Watchers in Central America, owning a nutrition consulting business and health food store, and developing foundational dietetic systems within hospitals in the country. Upon returning to the US in 2001, I worked as a renal dietitian and received my doctoral degree. My early research investigated factors impacting disease progression and quality of life of HIV+ drug users from marginalized communities. I am currently an Assistant Professor in the Department of Human Nutrition, Foods and Exercise, and work with a national community education network, the Cooperative Extension Service, as an Extension Specialist. Her current scientific investigation focuses on community based participatory methods for the evaluation of community health knowledge, resources, and needs, and responsive program development.

A/Prof Kathy Hosig

qualifications: PhD, MPH, RD

contribution: Study conception and design, Acquisition of data, Analysis and interpretation of data, Drafting of manuscript, Critical revision

position: Associate Professor

A/Prof Sophie Wenzel

qualifications: DrPH, MPH

contribution: Study conception and design, Analysis and interpretation of data, Drafting of manuscript, Critical revision

position: Assistant Professor of Practice

A/Prof Shelby Borowski

qualifications: PhD, MPH

contribution: Analysis and interpretation of data, Drafting of manuscript, Critical revision

position: Data Analyst and Postdoctoral Fellow

Dr Kristina Jiles

qualifications: PhD, MS, MPH, CHES

contribution: Acquisition of data, Analysis and interpretation of data, Drafting of manuscript, Critical revision

position: Research Scientist

Dr. Kristina Jiles earned her MPH and PhD from Virginia Tech and has been a Senior Project Associate for the Center for Public Health Practice and Research since January of 2020. She has worked on projects related to diabetes prevention and management, COVID-19 messaging, healthcare provider counts, and opioid and substance use disorder in Southwest Virginia. She joined the iTHRIV Community and Collaboration Core for Virginia Tech in January of 2021. iTHRIV is an NIH-funded Clinical and Translational Science Award (CTSA) in partnership among UVA, VT, Carilion Clinic and Inova Health System.

Prof Eleanor Schlenker

qualifications: PhD, RDN

contribution: Study conception and design, Acquisition of data, Analysis and interpretation of data, Drafting of manuscript, Critical revision

position: Professor Emeritus