(D37) Implementing a Culinary Medicine Program that Connects Health Care Students and People with Diabetes

This interprofessional culinary medicine program brings together adults with diabetes and healthcare students to strengthen nutrition knowledge and build practical cooking skills. The program emphasizes hands‑on skill development, diabetes‑friendly meal preparation, and strategies for applying nutrition guidance in daily life. By cooking and sharing meals together, participants create an engaging supportive community that encourages dialogue about lived experiences, challenges, and approaches to self‑management. Early observations suggest increased confidence in preparing healthy meals, improved understanding of nutrition principles, and enhanced empathy among healthcare students. This model demonstrates how culinary medicine can simultaneously support diabetes self‑management and foster meaningful relationships between people with diabetes and future clinicians.