Gloria Gallego
Elmont
Summary
Results-oriented Registered Dietitian Nutritionist (RDN), Certified Dietitian Nutritionist (CDN), and International Board Certified Lactation Consultant (IBCLC) with 15 years of leadership in WIC programs. Expertise in managing nutrition initiatives, promoting maternal and child health, and ensuring compliance with USDA and New York State regulations. Skilled in program evaluation, data analysis, and fostering community partnerships to enhance breastfeeding and maternal-child health outcomes.
Overview
1
1
Certification
19
19
years of professional experience
Work History
Dietitian-Nutrition Coordinator
NYC Health + Hospitals /Elmhurst WIC Program
Queens, NY
09.2018 - Current
- Oversee daily nutrition and breastfeeding services for a high-volume WIC program serving approximately 11,000 women, infants, and children annually.
- Provide advanced clinical lactation consultation and evidence-based breastfeeding management for pregnant and postpartum WIC participants with complex breastfeeding concerns.
- Serve as the program's breastfeeding clinical expert, mentoring staff and supporting Breastfeeding Peer Counselors in the management of challenging cases.
- Supervise and mentor a multidisciplinary team of Dietitians, Breastfeeding Peer Counselors, and Nutrition Assistants.
- Oversee participant certification, nutrition assessments, high-risk counseling, breastfeeding support, and nutrition education services across multiple clinic sites.
- Ensure compliance with USDA, New York State Department of Health, and hospital policies, maintaining high standards of quality and regulatory compliance.
- Monitor clinic operations, staffing, caseload distribution, productivity, and program performance using NYWIC reports and quality indicators.
- Lead quality improvement initiatives to enhance workflow efficiency, participant satisfaction, breastfeeding outcomes, and service quality.
- Develop and implement policies, clinical protocols, standard operating procedures, and evidence-based nutrition and breastfeeding practices.
- Coordinate staff onboarding, training, competency development, and continuing education to promote clinical excellence and consistent service delivery.
- Conduct quality assurance reviews of participant records and provide coaching to ensure accurate documentation and adherence to program standards.
- Collaborate with healthcare providers, hospital leadership, and community organizations to improve maternal and child health outcomes and strengthen community partnerships.
- Prepare operational reports, grant documentation, and performance metrics, and support state program reviews and regulatory audits.
Dietitian-Breastfeeding Coordinator
NYC Health + Hospitals /Elmhurst WIC Program
Queens, NY
10.2011 - 09.2018
- Provide advanced clinical lactation care through comprehensive assessments, hands-on breastfeeding management, and individualized counseling for prenatal and postpartum participants experiencing common and complex lactation challenges, including latch difficulties, milk supply concerns, nipple pain, infant feeding issues, and return-to-work planning.
- Coordinate and manage all breastfeeding promotion, education, and clinical support services for the WIC Program.
- Supervise, mentor, and train Breastfeeding Peer Counselors, Registered Dietitians, and nutrition staff to ensure evidence-based, participant-centered breastfeeding care.
- Developed and implemented breastfeeding policies, clinical protocols, educational materials, support groups, and staff training programs to promote best practices and engage participants more effectively.
- Monitored breastfeeding performance indicators, including initiation, exclusivity, and duration rates, prepared program reports, and led quality improvement initiatives to enhance breastfeeding outcomes.
- Ensure compliance with USDA, New York State WIC, Baby-Friendly Hospital, and organizational breastfeeding policies and standards.
- Coordinate care for high-risk breastfeeding dyads through clinical consultation, follow-up, and referrals to healthcare providers and community lactation resources to ensure continuity of care.
- Established and maintained collaborative partnerships with hospitals, obstetric and pediatric providers, and community organizations to strengthen breastfeeding support services and improve maternal and child health outcomes.
- Lead breastfeeding promotion and community outreach initiatives, including World Breastfeeding Week, health fairs, workshops, and public education events.
Home visiting Dietitian
Isabella Geriatric Center
New York, NY
01.2008 - 12.2014
- Conducted comprehensive in-home nutrition assessments for older adults, identifying nutritional risks, food insecurity, and barriers to healthy eating to inform tailored interventions.
- Develop individualized nutrition care plans to address chronic diseases, weight management, malnutrition, and age-related health concerns.
- Provided medical nutrition therapy and culturally appropriate counseling, addressing participants' health conditions and dietary needs to enhance family wellness.
- Educate clients and caregivers on healthy meal planning, portion control, food safety, hydration, and therapeutic diets.
- Evaluate clients' ability to shop for groceries, prepare meals, and safely manage food at home, recommending appropriate support services when needed.
- Evaluated clients' ability to shop for groceries, prepare meals, and safely manage food at home, recommending appropriate support services.
Dietitian
NYC Health + Hospitals /Elmhurst WIC Program
Queens, NY
08.2007 - 10.2011
- Conducted nutrition risk assessments, certification appointments, and individualized counseling to enhance health outcomes for women, infants, and children.
- Conducted nutrition risk assessments, certification appointments, and individualized counseling for women, infants, and children.
- Developed participant care plans and coordinated referrals for medical, nutritional, and social support services.
- Facilitated group nutrition education classes and breastfeeding workshops to empower participants and support WIC program objectives.
- Maintained documentation and ensured compliance with participant eligibility and certification standards to uphold program integrity.
Education
Nutrition and Food Science -
Hunter College, The City University of New York
New York, NY06-2013
Master in Human Nutrition - undefined
University of Antioquia
Medellin, Colombia01-1997
Bachelor of Science in Nutrition and Dietetics - undefined
University of Antioquia
Medellin, Colombia01-1994
Skills
- Breastfeeding Counseling
- Meal planning
- Clinical dietetics
- Gastrointestinal nutrition
- Nutrition education
- Lactation management and Support
Certification
- RDN Registered Dietitian Nutritionist – Commission on Dietetic Registration
- CDN Certified Dietitian-Nutritionist – NYS Education Department
- IBCLC International Board-Certified Lactation Consultant – IBLCE
Timeline
Dietitian-Nutrition Coordinator
NYC Health + Hospitals /Elmhurst WIC Program
09.2018 - Current
Dietitian-Breastfeeding Coordinator
NYC Health + Hospitals /Elmhurst WIC Program
10.2011 - 09.2018
Home visiting Dietitian
Isabella Geriatric Center
01.2008 - 12.2014
Dietitian
NYC Health + Hospitals /Elmhurst WIC Program
08.2007 - 10.2011
Bachelor of Science in Nutrition and Dietetics - undefined
University of Antioquia
Master in Human Nutrition - undefined
University of Antioquia
Nutrition and Food Science -
Hunter College, The City University of New York