Faith Serna
Nourish
Houston,United States
3
Languages
6
years of professional experience
CDR Certified Registered Dietitian specializing in integrative and functional nutrition to support diverse communities. Delivered personalized nutrition counseling and interventions through evidence-based practice, enhancing physical and emotional well-being. Collaborated effectively in team environments to improve health outcomes and address malnutrition risks while providing high-quality care through comprehensive assessments and tailored strategies.
Work History
Outpatient float dietitian
11 Months- Provide individualized medical nutrition therapy for pediatrics ranging from day of life 1 to 21 years old
- Weight management, wound healing, tube feeding, pre-op surgery clearance evaluations, post-op surgery recommendations and monitoring, picky eating, eating disorders, malnutrition, severe obesity, slow to gain weight, pediatric feeding disorders, food allergy education and management.
- Weight management, wound healing, tube feeding, pre-op surgery clearance evaluations, post-op surgery recommendations and monitoring, picky eating, eating disorders, malnutrition, severe obesity, slow to gain weight, pediatric feeding disorders, food allergy education and management.
- Collaborated with interdisciplinary team members to develop individual care plans and referrals.
- Processed WIC orders for eligible participants
- Developed individualized nutrition care plans for pediatric patients to enhance health outcomes.
- Educated families on dietary management for chronic conditions, fostering understanding and compliance.
- Conducted regular assessments of patient progress, adjusting nutrition plans as necessary for optimal results.
- Implemented evidence-based guidelines to improve dietary protocols within the pediatric population.
- Led quality improvement initiatives that enhanced overall efficiency of dietary consultations and interventions.
- Collaborated with interdisciplinary teams to assess and address nutritional needs effectively.
Registered Dietitian
1 Year 5 Months- Provided personalized nutrition counseling for diverse conditions, enhancing client understanding and management of their dietary needs
- Executed remote electronic charting and assessments to streamline client record-keeping and improve documentation accuracy
- Created individualized meal plans for clients, including referrals to specialists and nutrition education.
- Motivational interviewing, stages of change, positive reinforcement, social support.
- Developed personalized nutrition plans to enhance client health outcomes and dietary adherence.
- Educated clients on nutritional best practices, fostering sustainable lifestyle changes.
Field Consultant
4 Years 8 Months- Provided care in long-term, acute, and behavioral settings
- Manage dietary department and clinically practice with RD
- Conducted monthly quality assurance surveys, ensuring dietary compliance with state and federal regulations
- Managed weight loss programs, pressure ulcer prevention, tube feedings, and post-op recovery to enhance patient care
- Worked independently and collaboratively within a team
- Experience with remote medical work setting
- Conducted training sessions for over three years
- 3+ years experience in auditing experience
- Conducted comprehensive assessments of client dietary needs and preferences.
- Developed tailored nutrition plans to enhance client health outcomes.
- Provided ongoing education on nutrition and lifestyle management strategies.
- Collaborated with multidisciplinary teams to optimize client support services.
NICU Formula Technician
4 Months- Accurately calculate, weigh, and measure formulas per physical and registered dietitian’s orders
- Ensured adherence to department policies and procedures for sanitation and hygiene compliance, maintaining a safe environment for patients
- Delivered modified or special formula orders promptly to meet individual patient needs and support their nutritional requirements
Education
BS - Nutrition and Foods with a Concentration in Dietetics
- Research team member under Dr. Johnson - Fall 2019
- Historian and Event Planner of FCSA Fall 2018 - Spring 2019
- AAFCS member of the Harvey Mini Grant committee - Fall 2018
- Member of Student Nutrition Organization Fall 2017 - Fall 2019
- Member of Student Association for Campus Activities Fall 2018 - Fall 2019
- Dean’s List fall 2017
MS - Applied Nutrition
- 1000+ SEL completed Summer 2023 via Nutritious Lifestyles
- Capstone Research Project completed Fall 2024
- GPA: 4.0
Skills
Medical nutrition therapy
Pediatric nutrition
Clinical dietetics
Nutritional assessment
Allergy management
Weight management
Clinical nutrition guidelines
Pediatric nutrition education
Allergen awareness
Nutrition counseling
Supplement recommendations
Sports nutrition
Accomplishments
- Documented and resolved care coordination gaps with nutrition care transfers which led to higher volume of outpatient visits.
- Collaborated with team of outpatient dietitians in the development of culturally appropriate Myplate Vietnamese handouts.
Affiliations
- Academy of nutrition and dietetics
- Texas academy of nutrition and dietetics
- Houston pediatric nutrition group
Languages
English
Native or Bilingual
Spanish
Native or Bilingual
Italian
Elementary
Interests
Passionate about balancing physical health with mental and emotional wellness.
I participate in low-impact exercises to strengthen core muscles.
Gym Workouts
Pilates
Yoga
Timeline
Outpatient float dietitian
Texas Children’s Hospital Medical Center
09.2025 - CurrentRead More
Registered Dietitian
Nourish
03.2025 - CurrentRead More
NICU Formula Technician
North Central Baptist
03.2022 - 07.2022Read More
Field Consultant
Nutritious Lifestyles
01.2021 - 09.2025Read More
Texas State University
BS from Nutrition and Foods with a Concentration in Dietetics
Read More
Southeast Missouri University
MS from Applied Nutrition
Read More
SUMMARY OF QUALIFICATIONS
- CDR Certified Dietitian
- MS in applied nutrition sciences from Southeast Missouri University
- BS in nutrition and food, concentration in dietetics
- CDR Subject matter expert
- Completed ACEND accreditation through Texas State University
- Subject matter expert on dietitian technician committee for CDR 2024
- Experience in nutrition qualitative research and data cleaning
- Experience with grant proposal development
- Certification in ServSafe
- Certification in Texas Food Handlers
- Proficiency with MyPlate, Nutritionist Pro, NDSR, Mendeley, Microsoft Word, Excel, and Teams
- Proficiency with remote work
- Proficiency with PointClickCare
- Proficiency with Data Entry
- Proficiency with IBM SPSS, Google Sheets, Zoom