Giving
The CTH Pulse
Nutrition Counseling & Diabetes Education
(775)445-8820 or (775) 445-8607
Meet our Team
Our team of credentialed Registered Dietitian Nutritionists is committed to providing personalized, evidence-based care to help you achieve your health goals. Each team member brings unique expertise and a passion for improving lives through nutrition.
Sarah Barragan, RD, LD
Sarah Barragan is a Registered Dietitian who serves as a Nutrition Care Coordinator and clinical dietitian for the Carson Tahoe Cancer Center. Her academic training includes a Bachelor of Science in Dietetics from the University of Nevada, Reno and she completed her dietetic internship at the Carson Tahoe Regional Medical Center. Sarah has over 15 years of experience in healthcare, including 10+ years as a Certified Nurse Assistant. She has provided nutrition therapy services to a diverse population including children, individuals with intellectual or developmental disabilities, and adults with a wide variety of medical conditions in the acute care setting. Sarah is passionate about nutrition therapy and empowering individuals to make informed choices that improve their health and well-being.
Laura Deverse, MS, RD, LD, CNSC, CDCES
Laura Deverse is a highly experienced Registered Dietitian who has worked within the Carson Tahoe Health system for over 26 years. She considers Carson City and Carson Tahoe Health her home. At the Regional Medical Center, Laura specialized in nutrition support for patients in the surgery and critical care settings. In addition, she provided nutrition counseling for patients in the Carson Tahoe Cardiac and Pulmonary Rehab programs. In 2022, Laura focused her efforts on diabetes care and became a Certified Diabetes Care and Education Specialist. She also went back to school and earned a Masters degree in Nutrition. Laura now provides a tailored approach and supportive environment for clients in all phases of life who are working to improve their health. In addition to her role at the Carson Tahoe General Nutrition Counseling and Diabetes Education Clinic, Laura enjoys hiking and kayaking in the beautiful outdoors. She also loves spending time with family, especially her four grandchildren.
Karen Fisicaro is a Board-Certified Oncology Dietitian and serves as the Nutrition Care Coordinator and primary clinical dietitian for the Carson Tahoe Cancer Center. She has worked with patients across the lifespan in her twenty-five-year career, covering Neonatal to Geriatric nutrition. Karen has worked in a variety of settings including hospital inpatient, rehabilitation, home care, and the ambulatory clinic setting. Karen has served the Carson Tahoe Health system for the last 20 years. Karen is passionate about educating and advocating for oncology patients and their care partners though their cancer journeys.
Chelsea Minifie, RD, LD, CDCES
Chelsea Minifie is a Registered Dietitian and Certified Diabetes Care and Education Specialist with a background focused in outpatient counseling. Her academic training includes a Bachelor of Science in Dietetics from the University of Nevada, Reno. Additionally, Chelsea was a program coordinator intern at the Nevada Diabetes Association, and she completed her dietetic internship at the Carson Tahoe Regional Medical Center in 2018. Chelsea’s experience in the hospital setting helped her build a strong clinical foundation before shifting to the outpatient setting in 2021. Chelsea has a love and passion for teaching about nutrition and working with patients across the lifespan. She is skilled in helping clients build new habits that are realistic and sustainable. In addition to her current role at the Carson Tahoe General Nutrition Counseling and Diabetes Education Clinic, Chelsea loves to camp, mountain bike, garden and spend time with her family.
- Carson Tahoe Health offers medical nutrition therapy and nutrition counseling. Medical nutrition therapy (MNT) is defined as the management of medical conditions through nutritional intervention.
- MNT and nutrition counseling may be covered by insurance. MNT for Diabetes and Chronic Kidney Disease is typically a covered service under Medicare and Private Payers. Coverage for other conditions varies per plan. Our scheduling and insurance verification teams will work with you to determine coverage.
- Please see our Promotions section for information on reduced pricing for cash-pay visits.
Diabetes Education
- Our Diabetes Education Program is recognized by the American Diabetes Association for meeting the national standards for diabetes self-management education (DSME). Patients referred to our program can participate in a one-time diabetes workshop and are also eligible for annual one-to-one visits.
- We aim to empower our patients with the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary for diabetes self-care. Our goal is to help people living with diabetes optimize their health status and quality of life.
- To further support our community, we offer Diabetes Support Groups at no cost. Topics and enriching conversations vary month to month. Groups are held at the Carson City Senior Center on the 2nd Wednesday of each month and at the Carson Tahoe Dayton Medical Center on the 3rd Wednesday of each month. The meeting times for both groups are from 1-2PM.
- 2025 Diabetes Education Class and Support Group Schedule
Diabetes Prevention
- We offer a Group Lifestyle Balance (GLB) program that is approved by the Centers for Disease Control (CDC). This program has been shown to reduce the risk of developing diabetes by more than 50%.
- You may be eligible to join our year-long GLB program if you are 18 years or older and have a prediabetes diagnosis or if you are at risk for developing type 2 diabetes (complete the risk test below).
- For more information and to enroll, please email us at [email protected] or call (775) 445-8820.
- Type 2 Diabetes Risk Test
- Diabetes Prevention Program
Appointment Locations and Referral Information
A referral is required for nutrition counseling and/or diabetes education when health insurance is used for payment. Once a referral is placed, our Centralized Scheduling team will reach out to schedule your nutrition counseling or diabetes education visit. To reach Centralized Scheduling, please call:
- Physicians may place internal referrals through EPIC.
- Outside referrals may be faxed to (775) 882-3731.
- For assistance, please email [email protected]
Individual appointments for nutrition visits and diabetes education are offered at three locations:
Carson Tahoe Eagle Medical Center
2874 N Carson St, Carson City, NV
Carson Tahoe Dayton Medical Center
901 Medical Center Dr #203, Dayton, NV
Carson Tahoe Minden Medical Center
925 Ironwood Drive, Minden, NV
Diabetes self-management training group workshops are held at our Regional Medical Center:
Carson Tahoe Regional Medical Center
1600 Medical Parkway
Carson City, Nevada
Promotions and Special Events
2025 Nutrition Promotion: Carson Tahoe Health will be offering Nutrition Visits at a discounted price in 2025 during the months of March, June, and September. You may participate in this promotion if your insurance plan does not cover nutrition therapy. Payment is due at the time of visit.
- Self-pay $90 for 60-minute Nutrition Visit
- Self-pay $50 for 30-minute Nutrition Visit
- Please call our Centralized Scheduling team to make an appointment at (775) 445-5500.
2025 Nutritional Counseling Promotion Flyer
November is Diabetes Awareness Month. Our annual diabetes health fair is planned for Saturday November 8, 2025. Stay tuned for more information.
Financial Help
For information about financial assistance, please visit: https://www.carsontahoe.com/financialservices.html
Healthy Food Assistance
Carson Tahoe supports and participates in local community efforts to provide for our area residents in need. We work closely with Friends in Service Helping (FISH), and Remote Area Medical (RAM). Additionally, we donate fresh produce harvested from our garden at the Regional Medical Center.
CTH Community Food Resource Guide
Prescription Pantry Program
Carson Tahoe Health participates in the Prescription Pantry Program operated by the Food Bank of Northern Nevada. Patients who screen positive for food insecurity are eligible to be issued a prescription for food at participating health food pantry locations. Our aim is to reduce food insecurity and improve patient health through prescriptions for healthier food.
Carson Tahoe Health is fully accredited by the
Center for Improvement in Healthcare Quality (CIHQ).
