Alison A Shepard, RD
3881 E Silo Dr, Gilbert,AZ
Summary
Registered Dietitian with expertise in clinical nutrition, patient education, and behavior change counseling. Experienced in supporting patients with kidney disease, diabetes, weight management, and other chronic medical conditions. Dedicated to helping people make realistic nutrition and lifestyle changes that fit their everyday lives.
Overview
16
16
years of professional experience
Work History
Senior Nutrition Therapy Consultant/Sales Account Manager
Patient Care America
Phoenix, AZ
05.2018 - Current
- Accountable for marketing specialty compounding pharmacy services for dialysis patients requiring nutrition support.
- Consult dietitians, nephrologists, and nurse practitioners across five-state territory.
- Develop and maintain strong relationships with staff at dialysis clinics.
- Coordinate Speaker programs to provide continuing education credits for nurses and dietitians.
- Provide education for clinical staff in dialysis clinics.
- Well versed in Prior Authorization process.
Renal Dietitian
DaVita Inc
PHOENIX, AZ
12.2013 - 05.2018
- Provided education on ESRD diet to new dialysis patients.
- Utilized oral nutrition supplements and intradialytic parenteral nutrition to enhance patient outcomes.
- Conducted patient assessments adhering to CMS guidelines.
- Participated in monthly health meetings to analyze quality indicators.
- Engaged in pilot programs, including ESCO and ICC initiatives.
- Rounded monthly with nephrologists and interdisciplinary teams for comprehensive patient care.
- Facilitated weekly IDT meetings to evaluate high-risk patients and implement interventions.
- Led fluid management project, achieving 10-15% reduction in hospitalization rates within one year.
Renal Dietitian
Fresenius Medical Care
MESA, AZ
03.2012 - 12.2013
- Educated patients on dietary restrictions and nutritional needs to promote health management.
- Participated in monthly care plan meetings with interdisciplinary team members
- Contributed to monthly quality meetings
- Led pharmacy project to prepare for Medicare bundle, ensuring compliance and efficiency.
Registered Dietitian
Compass Group
WARWICK, NY
07.2010 - 02.2012
- Dietitian for three facilities including long-term care center, acute care hospital and assisted living facility.
- Schervier Pavilion: Long term care facility: Participated in care plan meetings, discharge planning, initial assessments, weight audits, wound care rounds, meal rounds, calorie counts and in-services.
- St. Anthony Community Hospital: Acute care facility: Screened all patients within 48 hours as directed by the NCP and followed up accordingly, also completed meal rounds and calorie counts.
- Mount Alverno Assisted Living: Screened all new admissions, tracked monthly weights, and completed diet audits.
Education
Dietetic Internship - nutrition
Southern University
Baton Rouge, LAB.S. - Food Science and Human Nutrition, Concentration in Nutrition and Dietetics
University of Maine
Bangor, MESkills
- Motivational Interviewing
- Behavior Change Counseling
- Nutrition Assessment
- Chronic Disease Management
- Patient Education
- Weight Management
- Goal Setting
- Specialty pharmacy sales
- Business Development
- Consultative Selling
- Interpersonal Communication
- Emotional IQ & Empathy
- Change Management
- Strategic Planning
- Resilience, Adaptability & Flexibility
- Leadership & Team Building
- Newleaf Pharmacy Management System
- Microsoft Office: Word, PPT, OneNote, Outlook, Excel
Professional Contributions
- Organized and sponsored educational meetings for ANNA (American Nephrology Nurses Association) groups in Arizona and Utah (2019-present)
- Sponsored and facilitated CRN (Council on Renal Nutrition) educational sessions across multiple states including Utah, Arizona, and Colorado (2012-present)
- Participated in regional renal-focused conferences (2018-present)
- Active member of DEI Committee (2023-Present)
- Collaborated through Intake and Pharmacy partnership meetings to improve coordination of care and operational efficiency (2023-2026)
- Contributed to planning sessions for National Sales Meetings (2024,2026), supporting content development and team engagement strategies
Organizations And Volunteer Work
- The Arizona Council on Renal Nutrition, co-chair, 2012-2015, 2023-present
- CRN Awards Committee, Volunteer, 2013-2014
- Arizona Council for Renal Nutrition, Liaison, 2018-2023
- Kidney Walk, 2012-2017, 2024-2025
- Faith Lutheran Preschool, schoolboard member 2022-2024
Additional Credentials
Registered Dietitian, CDR #1002756, 2010, DSS Leadership Course, 2016
Accomplishments
Rookie of the Year, 2018, Account Manager of the Year, Western Region, 2018 – 2020, Ranked 2 out of 26 Account Managers nationally, 2019, Top 25% for Referrals, 2019 – 2023, Highest percent to goal, 2025
Timeline
Senior Nutrition Therapy Consultant/Sales Account Manager
Patient Care America
05.2018 - Current
Renal Dietitian
DaVita Inc
12.2013 - 05.2018
Renal Dietitian
Fresenius Medical Care
03.2012 - 12.2013
Registered Dietitian
Compass Group
07.2010 - 02.2012
Dietetic Internship - nutrition
Southern University
B.S. - Food Science and Human Nutrition, Concentration in Nutrition and Dietetics
University of Maine