Cascade Health Diabetes and Nutrition Education Staff

Tracy Beckman

Tracy Beckmann, RDN, LD, CDCES

Manager of Diabetes & Nutrition Education

  • Pronouns: she/her/hers

    Tracy began working at Cascade Health in 2015 and became manager of the department in 2022. She holds an undergraduate degree in nutrition and dietetics from Oregon State University and completed her dietetic internship there as well. Her main goal is to show that eating well and moving your body can help you feel better on a foundational level. While Tracy can’t claim to be a native Oregonian, she has lived in Eugene most of her life. In her free time, she enjoys backpacking, hiking, being outside and, of course, eating delicious and nutritious food.

Denise Abbott RD, RN, CDCES

Registered Dietitian/Nurse Educator

  • Denise is a registered dietitian, a registered nurse and a certified diabetes educator. She received her bachelor’s degree at UC Davis, completed her internship at Oregon Health Sciences University and her nursing degree at Lane Community College. She has a wide base of knowledge to draw upon when teaching classes or helping individuals who are learning to manage their diabetes and weight. At home, Denise enjoys gardening, biking, swimming, hiking and cooking. She is also married to an outdoor adventure seeker and consequently has learned to scuba dive, kayak, fish and ski.

Lauren Chase, RD

Registered Dietitian

  • Lauren began working at Cascade Health in 2022. She holds a bachelor's degree in nutrition and dietetics from Oregon State University, where she also completed her dietetic internship. Lauren loves to create relationships with others and discuss how each person's unique food culture can impact health and well-being. She takes a positive approach to nutrition and wants to help others enjoy food and improve their lives. Lauren's hobbies include weightlifting, hiking, and spending time with her family and many animals!

Deana Pruett

Deana Pruett, RN

Nurse Educator

  • Deana joined Cascade Health in 2021 but has been a registered nurse since graduating from Chemeketa School of Nursing in 1992. Education has always been a focus of her nursing career, which has spanned many specialties, from maternal and child health to long-term care. One of the things she loves most about helping people manage their health is seeing someone leave feeling more confident and prepared than they were when they arrived — “lightbulb” moments. Outside of work, Deana enjoys road trips, time with family and a good cup of coffee.

Julia O’Neil, RD

Registered Dietitian

  • Julia began working with Cascade in late 2023. She holds a bachelor’s degree in human physiology from the University of Oregon and a bachelor’s degree in nutrition from Oregon State University where she also completed her dietetic internship (she tells people she’s a platypus). Julia likes to find creative solutions to tackling lifestyle change through nutrition and exercise and strongly believes there is no “one-size-fits-all” approach. Julia is very outdoorsy and enjoys all what Oregon has to offer. She likes to spend her spare time hiking, snowshoeing, paddleboarding, and swimming when the weather is warm.