We're leading the fight against diabetes by helping people with diabetes live healthy lives while working to find a cure

Rami Chowaniec - Edmonton, AB

Proper education and awareness can make all the difference when it comes to diabetes management. Rami Chowaniec from Edmonton, Alberta, is a local pharmacist and Certified Diabetes Educator who is devoted to helping people with diabetes get the information they need to better understand and handle the disease.

Like many other volunteers, diabetes has had a presence in Rami’s life. Her grandmother and two of her uncles have type 2 diabetes. Her family history, combined with her role as a pharmacist, led to her involvement with the Association.

Rami spends much of her time doing one-on-one consultations with diabetes patients. She is passionate about helping new patients understand how to use their medications. She also helps people to understand the importance of lifestyle changes and glucose monitoring.

“The key to good control of diabetes is getting out and getting educated and then applying that to everyday life,” she says. “Diabetes is not a death sentence. There are many people with diabetes out there living long, healthy lives.”

Rami started out with the Association volunteering for the speakers bureau. She began giving general presentations on diabetes and also has developed original presentations on medication. For two years she took on the role of Northern Alberta and NWT’s regional chair, during which time she was involved with Diabetes Day on the Hill and diabetes forums held in Edmonton, Fort McMurray, Grande Prairie and Yellowknife.

Rami is still an active volunteer at the Association, where she trains new volunteers for the speakers bureau and enjoys delivering presentations as a diabetes educator. She is also a member of the 2010 CDA/CSEM Professional Conference and Annual Meetings National Program committee and co-chair of the local hospitality committee for the conference. In 2003, she won a Special Achievement Award from the Association for her work with the speakers bureau, and this year she received a local Volunteer of the Year award.

Back to top