Meet Our Team
We’re here for you! The Diabetes Education team is focused on helping you to live well with diabetes.
Rachel Westenbroek
613-774-2422 ext. 6765
Rachel is usually the first person you’ll see when you arrive at the DEP. She is our clerk ‘extraordinaire’, our receptionist and our ‘go to’ person for good cheese and chocolate. Rachel immigrated to Canada from Switzerland at the tender age of fourteen. She quickly learned English, became ‘Dairy Princess’ then fell in love and married a local Dutch dairy farmer. So you can see why she knows her cheese and chocolate! Rachel is now a mother of three and grandmother to six (and counting!).
While her family comes first, Rachel has two other great passions; travelling and singing. When you meet her, ask her where she is travelling this year or what new song she is learning.
Deirdre Cooke, RD CDE
613-774-2422 ext. 6763
Deirdre is one of our two dietitians and has been working at WDMH for more than 20 years. She has been described as a ‘fireball’ because of her passion, her energy and her red hair (although we’re not sure if she started out in life as a red head!). It’s because of this passion that we’re lucky enough to have a diabetes program in Winchester. She saw the increasing need and submitted a proposal that was accepted by the Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care. Thank you Deirdre!
Deirdre is our ‘girl in the know’. From the latest article on gut microbiota to the latest and greatest lipstick. This helps her co-workers and her clients stay up-to-date, whether it’s about diabetes or the latest food or diet trend.
Nancy Graham, RN CDE
613-774-2422 ext. 6764
Nancy joined the diabetes program 10 years ago and brought with her an amazing wealth of community nursing experience and contacts. Nancy is an organizer and a ‘doer’. Her expertise and commitment have allowed our centre to grow to meet the increasing needs of our clients. Once of her strengths is her amazing memory – yes, she will remember your name! She puts elephants to shame.
But even nurses have to relax sometime. Then, you’ll find Nancy enjoying the simple things in life: a good coffee, some good cheese, a bike ride along the water, a chat with a friend and let’s not forget a good glass of wine.
Rachelle Charlebois, RD
613-774-2422 ext. 6766
Rachelle is one of our two part-time dietitians and has been at WDMH since 1999 after going back to school in her thirties to become a dietitian. One of Rachelle’s strengths is her ability to ‘keep it real’ -whether she’s translating nutrition science and trends into real food choices for her clients or she’s commenting on her co-workers fashion choices!
Outside of her family, Rachelle’s greatest love is winter and everything that comes with winter including minus 30 weather, cross-country skiing and snuggling up to a good book. So if you know of a great ski trail in the area, make sure to tell her if you meet her.
Dr. Clara Irobi
Dr. Irobi is an endocrinologist which is a physician who specializes in diabetes. She works with the DEP team one day a week.
Patients require a referral from your family physician to see Dr. Irobi.