‘My why is diabetes’: Sentara dietitian named Virginia’s top diabetes educator

More than three decades ago, Chantaye Johnson was a recent college graduate trying to land her first job in nutrition. After several interviews and no offers, she became discouraged and called one of her interviewers to ask a blunt question: Why doesn't anybody want to hire me?  

The answer changed the course of her career. 

“You’re hired. I just haven’t called you yet,” Johnson recalled hearing.  

She screamed with joy. 

Almost 30 years later, Johnson felt that same emotion when she learned she had been named the 2026 Virginia Diabetes Care and Education Specialist of the Year by the Association of Diabetes Care & Education Specialists (ADCES) Virginia Coordinating Body, the statewide professional network representing diabetes care and education specialists.  

“I let out a scream of joy, a feeling that returned full circle,” Johnson said while accepting the award. 

Johnson has been a registered dietitian for 31 years and a Certified Diabetes Care and Education Specialist for more than 20. She has been with Sentara for 28 of those years and currently works with Sentara Virginia Beach General Hospital's dedicated diabetes team. 

For Johnson, diabetes education is more than a specialty. It is what she considers her purpose.  

“The two most important days in your life are the day you are born and the day you find out why,” Johnson said during her acceptance speech. “My why is diabetes.”  

An impact beyond the exam room 

Johnson’s colleagues say her impact can be seen in individual patient experiences as well as programs reaching patients and clinical teams across Sentara.  

She has helped lead updates to diabetes self-management education, including the Healthy Living with Diabetes curriculum, helping ensure educational materials reflect current standards of care and give patients practical tools to manage diabetes in everyday life.  

Her work also extends to nurses beginning their careers. Johnson developed and implemented diabetes education for Sentara’s Transition to Practice program, helping new nurses build foundational knowledge and skills for caring for patients with diabetes.  

Her advocacy has also made a difference one patient at a time. 

In nominating Johnson for the award, a colleague recalled a case in which Johnson questioned a patient's diagnosis and advocated for additional testing for Type 1 diabetes. The testing revealed that the original diagnosis was incorrect, allowing the patient to receive more appropriate treatment. 

“Chantaye exemplifies excellence in diabetes care and education through her clinical expertise, patient advocacy, leadership, and unwavering commitment to improving outcomes for people living with diabetes,” one colleague wrote.  

Johnson proudly holds her Virginia Diabetes Care and Education Specialist of the Year award that she received.

Investing in the next generation

Johnson has also become a mentor to other diabetes educators and healthcare professionals, continuing a tradition of mentorship that helped shape her own career.  

In her acceptance speech, she specifically recognized Gayle Pearson, who gave her that first opportunity; Kathleen Walters, who served as her preceptor as she worked toward becoming a registered dietitian; and Susan DeAbate, whom Johnson credits with pushing her toward professional opportunities she once hesitated to pursue.  

Her dedication to learning has not stopped either. Thirty-two years after graduating from Radford University in 1992, Johnson returned to school and earned her master's degree.  

Looking back, Johnson said her recognition reflects not just an individual accomplishment, but the mentors, colleagues, and patients who have shaped her journey.  

In 2027, Johnson also looks forward to partnering with Sentara’s Faith Leaders Collaborative to help equip local faith leaders with diabetes education and resources they can share with their congregations and communities. 

“I have been so fortunate throughout my career to have leaders, colleagues, and coworkers who supported my decisions and allowed me to persevere and thrive in a specialty I immensely enjoy,” Johnson said. 

“We all are dedicated to changing lives through diabetes self-management education and support, to empower the patient to confidently manage their diabetes alongside their provider."