Experienced Registered Dietitian with 30 years of experience providing medical nutrition therapy to patients with complex disease states. Skilled in enhancing nutritional status through effective collaboration with interdisciplinary team members to develop tailored nutrition care plans. Proven track record of educating patients and families on personalized meal plans that positively impact patient outcomes. Strong verbal and written communication skills, thriving in fast-paced settings while efficiently managing multiple tasks.
Overview
30
30
years of professional experience
4
4
Certification
Work History
Registered Dietitian; Director Dietary Department
Copper Ridge Care Center
02.2010 - Current
Perform nutrition assessments on patients with implementation of medical nutrition therapy and care plan development for different medical diagnoses
Identification of patients at risk for malnutrition, weight loss and wound healing needs with recommendations to the physician of appropriate dietary interventions to improve overall nutritional status
Complete MDS, CAA and individual care plans
Food and nutrition services oversight to ensure compliance to Federal and State regulations according to the US Food code for food safety
Conduct quality assurance evaluations on proper food temperatures, portion control, flavor and taste
Hire, train and review dietary employee performance and implement disciplinary action following company policy and procedures as needed
Proficient in Point Click Care and Matrix electronic healthcare records and Simplified Nutrition Online dietary management program.
Collaborate with interdisciplinary healthcare teams to optimize patient care and ensure seamless delivery of nutrition services.
Provide nutrition education to promote healthy eating habits, resulting in increased awareness among patients and their families.
Optimize clinical workflow by maintaining detailed documentation and efficient communication with colleagues.
Contribute to the development of departmental policies and procedures to ensure compliance with regulatory standards.
Initiated process improvements within the department that resulted in streamlined workflows for more efficient patient care
Evaluated food service operations for quality assurance purposes, identifying areas for improvement in efficiency and cost effectiveness.
Lecturer, Nutrition and Food Science Department
California State University, Chico
01.2021 - 12.2023
Taught college level courses including Basic Nutrition, Nutrition and Physical Fitness and Nutrition in Health and Disease within the dietetic and nursing degree programs as well as the general education programs
Planned, organized and prepared lectures and exams based on course curriculum to students in classroom sizes ranging from 20-150 students
Collaborated with professors in The Nutrition and Food Science Department regarding course curriculum
Mentor to students desiring a degree in Dietetics and Food service Administration and preceptor within the dietetic internship program for students in their dietetic internships
Proficient in Blackboard and Canvas Learning Management Systems as well as Zoom meetings for class time and virtual office hours.
Cultivated critical thinking skills through challenging assignments that required analysis, synthesis, and evaluation of information from various sources.
Collaborated with faculty and staff to create meaningful learning experiences.
Increased student interest by incorporating real-world examples into lessons and connecting material to relevant experiences.
Participated in conferences and professional development opportunities to stay up-to-date with latest trends in field.
Evaluated and revised lesson plans and course content to achieve student-centered learning.
Created and designed quizzes, tests and projects to assess student knowledge.
Developed and implemented innovative teaching strategies to engage students in lectures and coursework.
Consultant Dietitian, Area Director of Consulting
RD's for Healthcare
06.1999 - 09.2016
Inspect food service operations for sanitation and food safety to ensure compliance to Federal and State Regulations, observe food preparation and tray line to establish foods are being prepared and served with regard to nutritive value, flavor, appearance and appropriate texture
Conduct quality assurance evaluations on proper food temperatures and portion control
Advise dietary supervisors on sanitation and safety procedures, menu development, budgeting and training of dietary employees
Perform nutrition assessments on patients with care plan development using electronic health care record systems (Point Click Care, Matrix) and interdisciplinary team involvement
Precept dietary service supervisors ensuring competencies are met in a work environment
Conduct pre-survey audits for survey readiness at long term care/institutional facilities in an assigned area
Training and evaluation of Registered Dietitians in an assigned area
Streamlined workflow processes within the dietetics department, enhancing overall efficiency and productivity.
Contributed to interdisciplinary care teams as the resident expert on nutritional needs for patients with complex medical conditions.
Clinical Dietitian, Outpatient Dietitian, Consultant Dietitian for Shasta Senior Nutrition Program
Mercy Medical Center, Redding (Dignity Health)
10.2008 - 11.2013
Performed nutrition assessments on patients with complex medical needs and consulted with physicians and other healthcare personnel to determine the nutritional needs of each individual patient and develop nutrition care plans based on those needs
Recommended enteral and parenteral nutrition regimens for patients considering calorie, protein, fat and electrolyte needs
Instructed inpatients and outpatients and their families on nutrition principles for specific disease states
Instructed individuals on medical nutrition therapy for diabetes management during pregnancy through the maternal and child health program
Responsible for inspecting Shasta Senior Nutrition program food service operations (preparation and delivery of meals) and Meals on Wheels program
Reviewed and approved menus for Shasta Senior Nutrition program ensuring regulations regarding Vitamin C, Vitamin A and Fiber were being met in meals provided
Developed a monthly newsletter for seniors on nutrition-related topics and provided quarterly educational presentations at the different senior sites
Consulted for multiple homes for developmentally disabled adults and performed initial and quarterly nutrition assessments and made recommendations to the physician and interdisciplinary care team.
Educated patients on the importance of proper nutrition for managing chronic conditions, such as diabetes, hypertension, and heart disease.
Improved patient outcomes by developing individualized nutrition plans and providing ongoing counseling.
Education
Master of Science - Nutrition Science, Nutrition Education
California State University, Chico
Bachelor of Science - Dietetics and Food Administration
California State University, Chico
Dietetic Internship Program -
California State University, Chico
Associate of Art - Liberal Arts
Diablo Valley College
Skills
Medical Nutrition Therapy
Parenteral & Enteral Nutrition
Interdisciplinary Collaboration
Nutrition Education
Written and Verbal Communication Skills
Federal and State Food Safety & Sanitation rules and regulations
Electronic Health Records
Quality Assurance Performance Improvement
Organizational Skills & Time Management
Delivery of instructional nutritional content to individuals, groups and students
Certification
Certified Board Specialist in Gerontology, 2016-2021; 2021-2026