The passion behind precision health — Meet diabetes health coach, Marti Fernandes

Verily diabetes management programs leverage technology and data to deliver precision care so more individuals can lead healthier lives. Alongside technology innovation, Verily care teams create trusted relationships with members, bringing deep passion and empathy to each interaction — a human touch that inspires better outcomes, but may be unexpected in a virtual setting. 

Dedicated health coaches, like Marti Fernandes, BS, CEP, CPT, Verily Care Lead, Engagement Specialist, listen, learn and empower members to thrive with diabetes and its comorbidities. Marti connects with members in meaningful ways by drawing from her personal and professional life. 

Marti shares what shaped her compassion for caregiving, such as a family tragedy and joining a wonderful family who copes with diabetes, and sadly, its potential impact on living a full, healthy life. “Recently, we lost my sister-in-law because she lost her battle with the disease, having suffered every possible long-term diabetes complication. In my observation, health inequities and social factors, such as limited access to experts and the right tools, greatly influenced a faster path to poor health. We miss her dearly. This is why it’s so important to have solutions like Verily Onduo, and soon, Verily Lightpath*, to help people overcome barriers like this because with diabetes, every moment matters,” Marti explains. 

Learn more about Marti, her caregiving journey, and how loving people who face the challenges of diabetes inspired her to get specially-trained to help people in their fight for better days.

What was your professional path to being a Verily health coach?

I started my career in wellness and healthcare as a clinical exercise physiologist, focusing on both  fitness and medical settings. Most recently, I spent 20 years prescribing and titrating fitness programs for cardiac rehab patients.

Helping people recover from cardiovascular events was rewarding. But I answered an inner call to help people become more proactive about their health, but in a remote setting. This led me to Verily, and training to be a virtual health coach for individuals managing diabetes. 

What has inspired you to champion caregiving?

My passion for taking care of others began when my older sister became a quadriplegic after a diving accident when she was 12 years old.

This tragedy was the beginning of her life filled with many chronic conditions, and the start to my life of caregiving, staying close to her and supporting her in many ways until she passed away at 43 years. As I mentioned, my personal connection to diabetes began when I married my husband, Tim, whose family has a strong prevalence of type 2 diabetes. He started his diabetes journey in 2015. 

So, my love for all people, plus my experiences with relationships and loss, have everything to do with my healthcare career, contributing to my innate desire to be a solution-finder for often vulnerable people struggling with chronic disease in both my own life, and for others. 

I’m also inspired by Verily’s Health Equity Center of Excellence and our commitment to helping the underserved lead healthier lives with greater access to more inclusive diabetes care through virtual solutions that are designed for diversity.

What first attracted you to virtual healthcare for diabetes?

I worked in clinical settings where people struggle to get to appointments and have to absorb everything they need to know and do in a short time period, while providers are crunched for time or information to give the best, most compassionate care. Verily virtual care programs empower healthcare professionals and their patients with greater access to the right tools, including time. 

After my first interviews, I was even more excited about the combination of tech and care teams to connect with people anywhere. With Verily, I could help people lead their best lives in everyday moments. I couldn’t wait to join the team, and already felt a deep commitment to making a difference in diabetes care.

How have your experiences influenced your dedication to diabetes?

I came to Verily committed to caring for people, and supporting my own loved ones who manage this debilitating condition. But I’ve become even more devoted to diabetes care from our teams and members who make me a better coach, and honor me with their personal stories. I’m touched that I’m in a position to help them, and that they trust me to do so. All of this nurtures empathy and new ways to support my members, my husband and family in more ways than I can count. (Plus, I shower my family and members with love and attention, which is also good medicine!)

When people ask what Verily health coaches do, how do you describe your role?

I tell people I’m readily available, walking alongside our members on their path to help them overcome all types of challenges that they face in achieving their personal health goals. I’m equipped to make suggestions on daily living and wellness with diabetes. And I can connect them with other program resources, such as helping set up a telehealth appointment with an Onduo P.C. endocrinologist. They have this critical support as close as the phone in their pocket.

What about the Verily approach to diabetes care are you most proud of?

I am most proud of the consistently positive results we hear about and see, such as member testimonials and A1C results, because of our high-touch, personal and flexible experience. 

I believe in our members, and create ongoing relationships with them so they believe in me, too. This fosters richer conversations and helps ensure we don’t miss anything going on, or anything that they need. Sometimes, people simply need to be heard. And I’m here to listen! When people confide in me, and open up about their struggles, I feel a great sense of purpose, passion and pride knowing that they feel comfortable and confident that we’ll do our best to help them.

What are some ways Verily health coaches best support diabetes management? 

Health coaches often serve as a “first line” of support for people managing their health. This means we’re in a special position to support both our members, and our care teams by gaining access to the deep feelings and motivations behind actions and inaction through reflection, normalizing, open-ended questions and other tactics. We can patiently wait for members to move past personal barriers towards setting a healthier footing, so-to-speak. Health coaches can then triage care and collaborate with the team to ensure the right care path, and close care loops. 

How do our programs help deliver the right, tailored support for better diabetes control?

Health coaches get to know each member on a personal level, meeting members where they are, and setting the stage for customized programs that extend beyond standard diabetes care. 

For example, I helped a member navigate a frustrating process and unanswered requests for diabetic neuropathic pain options, cheering them up, and keeping them motivated to find relief. But I think my most cherished moments have been virtually holding members' hands to cope with life’s moments. Daily stress affects their ability to manage their health. If I can be a trusted confidant, it can mean better outcomes.

Our members share these very personal diabetes-care barriers. But commonly, they share a lack of time and resources for healthy meals and fitting in physical activity. To help, we offer more “doable” diabetes care plans, setting reasonable goals and creating positive habits that fit into their unique life, budget, and other needs. We arm members with vast resources. And we remind them that it’s not a sprint, it’s a journey. When folks see their blood glucose improve or feel more energetic, they’re motivated to keep going. And of course, their care team cheers them on!

As Verily evolves its care offering, what Lightpath* features are you looking forward to in helping people lead healthier lives with metabolic conditions?

I’m excited about how Verily Lightpath* technology will enable our human team to deliver more personalized care, and by helping more people stay more engaged in their health.

I’m looking forward to inspiring brighter days for more members and their loved ones, no matter what obstacles they face. And I look forward to augmenting the support I offer with Lightpath innovations so I keep witnessing members’ triumphs, and keep hearing the victory in their voices.

What are your other passions, interests, projects or hobbies? 

My overall passion is people. And that’s a good thing, because I have a large family with six children, and 13 grandchildren that I adore with my whole being. 

I enjoy being active, cooking, baking, and the ocean is my happy place. And I’m committed to animals, having spent the last 18 years owning and operating a Family Labs organization that provides American Kennel Club labs to families, and donates these gentle, wonderful and healing creatures to foster children, autistic children and war veterans. It has been nourishing for the soul.

Disclaimers 

*Verily Lightpath to be available for open enrollment in 2026

The information contained on this page is intended to outline Verily’s general product direction and is not a commitment or legal obligation to deliver any functionality. Product capabilities, timeframes and features are subject to change and should not be viewed as commitments.

Verily Life Sciences LLC (“Verily”) offers virtual care management programs for eligible individuals, as further described in these materials and within the Verily Lightpath solution page within this website. Verily collaborates with Onduo Management Services LLC (“OMS”), Onduo LLC, and a network of affiliated Professional Entities to offer the services. These services are meant to be used in conjunction with regular in-person clinical services and not intended to replace routine primary care.

Statements related to Rx treatments are for members receiving telemedicine services with licensed health care providers through Onduo P.C.