• Expectations: What clients can expect from our sessions together include an initial session where we set the groundwork. I will complete a new client intake and obtain as much information as possible regarding past medical history, surgical history, allergies, medications, supplements, recent laboratory values (if applicable), and current goals. I will also obtain anthropometric data and perform calculations to determine caloric intake and energy needs. Together we will formulate a plan which will be tailored to each client on an individual basis as everyone is unique and specific. From this session we will meet on a regular basis or as needed to maintain compliance, and accountability to reach each clients desired goals.
• Focus areas: My areas of focus are quite diverse given my vast medical experience as a registered dietitian and physician assistant. As an RD in the hospital, I performed mainly nutrition support for cancer and medical/surgical patients. I also worked on the cardiac floors as well providing nutrition education. During that time, I had the privilege of leveraging outpatient experience through the development of a private practice. These patients included weight loss, professional athletes and anyone looking to optimize their nutrition.
My experience as a physician assistant includes emergency medicine, trauma surgery, cardiothoracic surgery and solid organ transplant as well as medical aesthetics with medically assisted weight loss and HRT. I’ve seen a variety exotic conditions and disease processes, so my extensive experience has allowed me the opportunity to treat a variety of acute and chronic conditions.
• Credentials: I have been a Registered Dietitian since 2005 and completed my master’s degree in 2011. My education is as follows:
Master of Medical Science Degree MMSc
Nova Southeastern University (SWFL), Fort Myers Florida
Physician Assistant Studies
Thesis: “The efficacy of small bowel feeding tubes as a therapeutic intervention in acute pancreatitis as opposed to total parenteral nutrition.”
Registered Dietitian Certificate of Internship
Department of Medical Affairs
Bay Pines Veteran Affairs Medical Center, Bay Pines Florida
Bachelor of Science Degree
Colorado State University, Fort Collins Colorado
Major: Food Science and Human Nutrition w Dietetics concentrations
Professional affiliations: National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants, Board Certification for Commission of Dietetic Registration, Colorado State University Merit Work Study Scholarship award winner, American Society of Transplantation member, Member of the National Kidney Foundation, Member of the American Society of Nephrology, Member of Phi Sigma Theta National Honors Society, American Academy of physician Assistant (APPA) member, Florida Academy of Physician Assistant member, American Dietetic Association (ADA) member. BCLS, ACLS, PALS certification by the American Heart Association.
• Get to know me: Besides being an RD and a PA, I’m a boy mom with a 7-year-old son named Bodhi. I coach my son’s soccer team which he loves. We have 3 kitties, two rescues and one naughty hairless Sphynx. In my spare free time, I enjoy spending time with family, personal growth and development, reading, yoga, Pilates and being out in nature as much as possible.
• Personals: I had a personal struggle with an eating disorder as an adolescent, brought on by a combination of social pressure and athleticism. Luckily, I received and achieved recovery during that time with the help of wonderful practitioners who assisted in making that happen.
• Drive: I chose to become a Registered Dietitian after growing up in a household with body builders and athletes. I wanted to learn the fundamentals of nutrition and metabolism in order to achieve the maximum benefit from my dietary intake.
Aetna, Cigna, Golden Rule, Optum, Oxford, Select Health, United Healthcare, United Medical Resources (UMR)
AK, AZ, CA, CO, CT, FL, HI, ID, IN, MA, MI, NH, NJ, NY, OK, OR, PA, TX, UT, VT, VA, WA, WV, WI, WY