Denelle attended the University of Idaho where she graduated with a BS in Food and Nutrition. Following graduation, she moved to Phoenix Arizona for economic and higher education opportunities. She worked for many years with local Native American Tribal Diabetes Programs and became a CDCES.

Additionally, Denelle was employed by the National Institutes of Health for a Type 2 medication study called GRADE (Glycemic Reduction Approaches in Diabetes: A Comparative Effectiveness Study) which prioritized Native American individuals.

Most recently Denelle worked for Phoenix Children’s Hospital as part of a cutting-edge team of Endocrinologists and Dietitian/Diabetes Educators. She learned a great deal about obesity and nutritional interventions that complement newer medication therapies.

Originally from southeastern Washington, Kitty has built a diverse healthcare background before finding her true calling in diabetes education. After gaining valuable experience in medical reception, obstetrics/gynecology, pediatrics, and nursing, she transitioned to diabetes education in 2005, driven by a desire to help individuals manage this complex condition effectively.

In 2008, she earned her Certified Diabetes Educator (CDE) credential, demonstrating her commitment to providing exceptional and evidence-based care. Since joining Jamestown Family Health Clinic (JFHC) in 2016, she has played a key role in achieving the diabetes programs accreditation in 2017. Kitty states she feels extremely blessed to work with such an amazing team at JFHC!

In her spare time, Kitty loves to cook, watch true crime, garden, and spend time with her human and furry friends/family.