ELIZABETH MELIA
Shawnee,KS
Summary
Registered Dietitian with a background in laboratory science, gastrointestinal disease, and clinical nutrition. Distinguished for providing individualized nutritional counseling to diverse populations and developing effective dietary plans. Skills include strong knowledge of medical nutrition therapy, excellent communication abilities, and ability to work collaboratively within healthcare teams. Noted for successfully improving patient health outcomes through implementation of evidence-based dietetic practices and counseling.
Overview
1
1
Certification
7
7
years of professional experience
Work History
Registered Dietitian
Children's Mercy Hospital
Kansas City, Missouri
07.2024 - Current
- Developed individualized nutrition plans for medically complex pediatric patients based on comprehensive assessments. Well-versed in creating feeding regimens for oral and enterally-fed patients
- Educated families on healthy eating habits and meal planning strategies, fostering improved dietary practices.
- Collaborated with healthcare teams to develop integrated patient care initiatives, enhancing overall treatment outcomes.
- Evaluated laboratory results to assess patient's dietary response and adjusted plans accordingly.
- Utilized motivational interviewing techniques to promote healthier eating behaviors and lifestyle changes among patients.
- Worked in outpatient clinic setting with additional inpatient weekend coverage. Primary RD in Gastrointestinal Feeding Clinic, Neonatal Follow-Up Clinic, Spinal Differences Clinic, Muscle Nerve Clinic, and Nutrition Clinic.
- Participated in continuous professional development activities to enhance expertise in nutrition and dietetics.
Medical Laboratory Scientist
Children's Mercy Hospital Microbiology Department
Kansas City, MO
10.2020 - 03.2022
- Led microbiology department as lead scientist, overseeing critical testing and analysis.
- Analysis and testing of a variety of biological specimens for infectious diseases. Laboratory techniques include but are not limited to specimen processing, bacterial culture workup, rapid tests for COVID, flu, RSV, and strep, antibiotic testing, and molecular diagnostics.
- Applied skills in quality patient care, collaborated with healthcare team, managed stress, and conducted 100,000 COVID tests in response to pandemic demands.
Graduate Research Assistant
University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center
Oklahoma City, OK
04.2023 - 09.2023
- Conducted literature-based research on p66SHc to explore its role in gut microbiome modulation
Research Coordinator
Stowers Institute for Medical Research
Kansas City, MO
01.2020 - 06.2020
- Conducted genetic research through injection and testing of zebrafish embryos and transfection of human cell lines to advance understanding of genetic functions.
- Executed zebrafish breeding and collected embryos to support genetic research initiatives.
- DNA isolation, restriction, digestion, PCR amplification, gel electrophoresis, DNA sequencing, primer design
- Managed budgets, coordinated travel, filed expense reports, created excel sheets, arranged lab meetings, ordered lab supplies, organized calendars, and maintained research data for efficient lab operations.
Education
Master of Arts - Dietetics
University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center
Oklahoma City, OK07-2024
CC -
Kansas City Kansas Community College
12-2021
BS - Clinical Laboratory Sciences, Clinical and Molecular Biotechnology
University of Kansas Medical Center
12-2019
CC -
Butler County Community College
05-2015
Skills
- Medical Nutrition Therapy
- Nutrition Assessment
- Clinical Assessment
- Clinical Nutrition
- Nutritional Counseling
- Motivational Interviewing
- Research Analysis
- Problem Solving
- Adaptability
- Conflict Management
- Laboratory Interpretation
- Telemedicine
Volunteer
- Unity Clinic, Nutrition Volunteer, Oklahoma City, OK, 2022, 2023, Providing healthcare to underprivileged and/or uninsured communities through nutrition-based expertise
- Crisis Text Line, Crisis Counselor, 2020-02, Support and encouragement for individuals struggling through a crisis, including but not limited to suicide, eating disorders, anxiety attacks, depression, and domestic violence
- JayDoc Free Clinic, Clinical Laboratory Technician Volunteer, Kansas City, KS, 2017, 2019, Laboratory technician volunteer; providing healthcare to underprivileged and/or uninsured communities Duties include acquiring blood through venipuncture, verifying lab requisitions, inter-professional interaction with medical students, patient interaction, quality control testing, utilizing tests including but not limited to Monospot tests, rapid HIV, rapid strep, rapid HCG and Hemoglobin A1C
- Willed Body Ceremony, Musician, Kansas City, KS, 2018, Organization and performance of ceremony in honor of those who have donated their bodies to science, University of Kansas Medical Center
- Special Needs Piano Instruction, Volunteer, Wichita, KS, 2011, 2015, Daily piano lessons to individual with Down Syndrome
Community Service
- JayDoc Free Clinic, Clinical Laboratory Technician Volunteer, Kansas City, KS, 2017, 2019, Laboratory technician volunteer; providing healthcare to underprivileged and/or uninsured communities. Duties include acquiring blood through venipuncture, verifying lab requisitions, inter-professional interaction with medical students, patient interaction, quality control testing, utilizing tests including but not limited to Monospot tests, rapid HIV, rapid strep, rapid HCG and Hemoglobin A1C
- Willed Body Ceremony, Musician, Kansas City, KS, 2018, Organization and performance of ceremony in honor of those who have donated their bodies to science, University of Kansas Medical Center
Achievements
- Disabilities in Nutrition and Dietetics MIG, Education Committee, 2023
- Student Dietetic Association, Service Chair, 2022, 2023
- College of Allied Health Student Association and Student Advisory Team, Representative of CPMA Class in 2022-2024
- Dean's List of University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, 2022, 2023
- Honor Roll of University of Kansas Medical Center Health Professions, 2018, 2019
Certification
- RD/LD
- MLS(ASCP)
- MB(ASCP)
Publications
da C. Pinaffi-Langley AC, Melia E, Hays FA. Exploring the Gut–Mitochondrial Axis: p66Shc Adapter Protein and Its Implications for Metabolic Disorders. International Journal of Molecular Sciences. 2024; 25(7):3656. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms25073656
Timeline
Registered Dietitian
Children's Mercy Hospital
07.2024 - Current
Graduate Research Assistant
University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center
04.2023 - 09.2023
Medical Laboratory Scientist
Children's Mercy Hospital Microbiology Department
10.2020 - 03.2022
Research Coordinator
Stowers Institute for Medical Research
01.2020 - 06.2020
Master of Arts - Dietetics
University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center
CC -
Kansas City Kansas Community College
BS - Clinical Laboratory Sciences, Clinical and Molecular Biotechnology
University of Kansas Medical Center
CC -
Butler County Community College