TERRAH ALEXANDER
BENTON,AR
Summary
Dynamic Clinical Dietitian with a proven track record at Central Arkansas Veterans Healthcare System, excelling in management and strategic planning. Achieved a significant reduction in readmission rates through innovative nutrition education. A results-oriented leader, skilled in effective communication and continuous improvement, dedicated to enhancing patient care and operational efficiency.
Overview
22
22
years of professional experience
Work History
SCHOOL BOARD MEMBER
BRYANT SCHOOL DISTRICT
08.2026 - Current
- Serve as a local leader to help shape the future of education in my community. Represent the voices of parents, students and the community to make sure Bryant schools provide a great education for every student. Help decide on what Bryant schools should focus on including academic success, safety and community values. Choose and support the superintendent that runs the district. Review the performance of the superintendent to ensure Bryant schools are heading in the right direction. Approve how money is spent to ensure resources are used wisely for students. Decide on programs and materials that align with state standards and meet student needs. Ensure school buildings are safe, clean and meet the needs of the students and staff. Comply with all state and federal laws related to public education. Ensure district policies and actions meet legal requirements.
- Governed district policy discussions for Bryant School District board meetings and agendas.
- Evaluated superintendent recommendations and district performance updates.
- Reviewed budgets, finance reports, and resource allocations for district operations.
CLINICAL DIETITIAN
CENTRAL ARKANSAS VETERANS HEALTHCARE SYSTEM
04.2015 - Current
- Provided medical nutrition therapy, collaborating with health care team to deliver patient-centered care. Promoted wellness and disease prevention through tailored nutritional interventions. Educated patients using effective evidence-based methods. Precepted dietetic students in the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences Internship program, guiding practical learning experiences. Accomplishments: Helped reduce Congestive Heart Failure readmission rates through diet education and nutrition templates for tracking data. Received gold award for improving transition of care for patients with diabetes from the inpatient to outpatient setting. Leadership development Institute mentor. Nominated for regional combined federal campaign award for using innovative methods and networking to obtain donors.
- Developed individualized medical nutrition therapy plans for complex clinical conditions.
- Coordinated therapeutic diets with medical teams across inpatient and outpatient services.
- Determined nutritional status of veterans to support individualized care plans. at Central Arkansas Veterans Healthcare System clinics.
ACTING ASSISTANT CHIEF-NUTRITION AND FOOD SERVICES
CENTRAL ARKANSAS VETERANS HEALTHCARE SYSTEM
09.2012 - 06.2013
- Managed daily operations of Nutrition and Food Services during the Assistant Chief's temporary reassignment, ensuring continuity of service and adherence to quality standards.
FOOD SERVICE SYSTEMS MANAGEMENT DIETITIAN
CENTRAL ARKANSAS VETERANS HEALTHCARE SYSTEM
04.2010 - 04.2015
- Oversaw food management operations at Central Arkansas Veterans Healthcare System (CAVHS), leading a team of over 80 employees across 4 meal delivery points. Managed programs, staff and resources at two complex medical centers. Ensured compliance with internal and external regulatory authorities. Established financial goals and managed budget, organizing a cost accounting system to forecast expenditures and providing estimates for planning adjustments based on resource changes. Made decisions on problems presented by subordinate supervisors, team leaders and other personnel. Communicated and advised senior management officials on critical matters. Managed the submission of data for benchmarking, analyzed and submitted reports including the NFS annual report and made recommendations for data driven decisions. Developed, enhanced, and improved policies and procedures and standard operating procedures. Coordinated implementation of new policies and standard operating procedures, enhancing operational efficiency and compliance. Assisted in development of objectives, goals and strategic plans for the service that were consistent with medical center and VHA goals and objectives. Evaluated the performance of supervisors and leaders and reviewed evaluations made by supervisors. Provided recommendations for appointments, promotions, and succession planning. Managed the prime vendor contracts, subsistence and supply purchasing. Acted as the Contracting Officer Representative for the Prime Vendor, Milk, Pathfinder, Computation and Bread Contracts. Managed the performance improvement and quality control program of the administrative section. Provided relief support for the Assistant Director, Dietetic Internship in her absence. Served as the chair of the Nutrition and Food Services Safety Subcommittee. Assumed the duties of the Assistant Chief and Chief as needed. Accomplishments: Successful budget execution for five years. Exceeded the standards for key performance indicators: net cost per meal/meal equivalent and meal equivalent/productive labor hours. Best Practice for Emergency Protocol and Storage of bottled water as recognized by Booz Allen Hamilton. Assisted in researching requesting funding, and purchasing Computation software that allowed implementation of selective menus which was recognized as a Best Practice by The Joint Commission. Implemented family style dining for Veterans and Early Breakfast Program in the Community Living Center. Led a Process Action Team that improved the standardization of recipes for patient meals. Contributed to the VISN 16 Systems re-design team for VHA Healthy Diet.
- Provided medical nutrition therapy for veterans at the Central Arkansas Veterans Healthcare System.
- Assessed dietary needs using patient histories and clinical laboratory data.
PRESIDENT
ARKANSAS ACADEMY OF NUTRITION AND DIETETICS
01.2010 - 01.2011
- Led the organization as Chief Executive Officer and Chair of the Board of Directors. Oversaw daily operations of the organization to ensure effective management. Ensured that meetings ran efficiently and helped the Board think strategically. Ensured the Board focused on its mission, vision and long-term goals. Selected members for the Board of Directors. Selected chairpersons for committees and task forces. Established clear objectives for committees to support the strategic plan. Conducted comprehensive audits to assess compliance, operational effectiveness, committee structure, board composition, and overall board performance. Updated governing documents to align with current organizational practices. such as Bylaws, Job Descriptions and Policies and Procedures with assistance from the Board of Directors. Performed annual evaluations of the Executive Director and renewed the contract for employment. Facilitated strategic planning process to define and align long-term organizational goals.. Oversaw financial activity and executed audits to ensure fiscal responsibility. Worked with the outgoing Board and Finance Committee to develop a budget for incoming Board. Accomplishments: Led a task force for NFS Clinical Managers in Arkansas to set standards and develop plans for the Nutrition Care Process implementation. Developed a new position on the board for Student Liaison to help strengthen the relationships with the Dietetic students.
- Led Arkansas Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics board meetings and strategic planning sessions.
- Directed committee coordination for member programs, education events, and professional initiatives.
- Represented Arkansas Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics in advocacy and stakeholder discussions.
NUTRITION AND FOOD SERVICE MANAGER
BAPTIST HEALTH MEDICAL CENTER
STUTTGART
08.2009 - 04.2010
- Oversaw all phases of nutrition and food services operation, ensuring compliance with quality standards. Provided high quality food production, service and effective nutrition therapy to patients. Recommended resources to senior management to achieve NFS Baptist Health Standards. Exceeded patient satisfaction goals. Trained and implemented Baptist Health philosophy, policies and procedures. Approved all hires and conducted evaluations of nutrition employees to maintain team performance. Maintained fiscal accountability. Assured the highest sanitation, safety and infection control standards. Accomplishments: Increased cafeteria revenue through menu revisions and new cash register system. Increased Novation Contract compliance from 26% to 82%. Revised patient menu with a dramatic increase in patient satisfaction scores.
- Supervised Baptist Health Medical Center food service staff and daily meal operations.
- Coordinated patient tray delivery and special diet service across nursing units.
- Oversaw daily cafeteria operations, ensuring quality service and customer support.
NUTRITION AND FOOD SERVICE COORDINATOR
BAPTIST HEALTH MEDICAL CENTER
NLR
05.2006 - 08.2009
- Coordinated patient meal service and nutrition care processes, collaborating with Clinical Dietitians to enhance service delivery. Accomplishments: Led a team of food service managers that implemented NFS programs that resulted in $225,000 cost savings through the Clinical Quality Value Analysis process. Implemented the Nutrition Care Process for twenty-eight Baptist Health Dietitians across four facilities, fostering standardized care. Revised and implemented nutrition screening process based on evidence-based practices across four Baptist Health facilities, improving patient assessment.
- Coordinated patient meal service according to Baptist Health Medical Center dietary standards to ensure compliance and quality.
- Coordinated meal requests with nursing staff and clinical diet teams to ensure timely and accurate meal delivery.
- Managed tray line operations by overseeing meal assembly and ensuring diet compliance for all assigned meals.
LONG TERM CARE-DIETARY CONSULTANT
BEVERLY HEALTHCARE
09.2004 - 05.2006
- Supervised, led, managed and mentored Dietary Managers in seven assigned long-term care facilities. Conducted successful long-term care health department surveys across multiple facilities. Assessed clinical and food service activities, implementing targeted solutions to enhance operational effectiveness. Achieved reduction in dietary deficiencies across all assigned facilities. Taught and helped certify three Beverly Healthcare Dietary Managers.
- Provided guidance to Beverly Healthcare teams on developing resident care plans and coordinating services.
- Collaborated with nurses to discuss patient care needs, provide treatment updates, and establish daily priorities.
- Evaluated Beverly Healthcare records to ensure adherence to internal policies and state regulations.
Education
Masters of Science - Dietetics
University of Central Arkansas
Conway, AR01-2004
Bachelors - Family and Consumer Science
University of Central Arkansas
Conway, AR01-1999
High School -
Bryant High School
Bryant, AR01-1994
Skills
- MANAGEMENT
- LEADERSHIP
- ADMINISTRATIVE
- CONTINUOUS IMPROVEMENT
- CRITICAL THINKING
- EFFECTIVE COMMUNICATOR
- HIGH ETHICAL STANDARDS
- TEAM PLAYER
- RESOURCE MANAGEMENT
- ADAPTIVE THINKING
- PATIENT ADVOCACY
- RESULTS ORIENTED
- STRATEGIC
- EMPATHETIC
INTERESTS
PAINTBALL, PUZZLES, LACROSSE FAN
HONORS/AWARDS
- Emerging Dietetic Leader Award-Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics
- Distinguished Mentor In Dietetics Award-University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences Internship Program
- Young Achiever Award-University of Central Arkansas
Affiliations
- Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics Member
- Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics-Public Health/Community Nutrition Dietetic Practice Group
- Arkansas Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics Member
- Central Arkansas Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics Member
LEADERSHIP TRAINING
- Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics Leadership Institute
- South Central VA Healthcare Network Leadership Development Institute
- Central Arkansas Veterans Healthcare System Leadership Retreat
- Arkansas School Board Association Fall Leadership Institute
Timeline
SCHOOL BOARD MEMBER
BRYANT SCHOOL DISTRICT
08.2026 - Current
CLINICAL DIETITIAN
CENTRAL ARKANSAS VETERANS HEALTHCARE SYSTEM
04.2015 - Current
ACTING ASSISTANT CHIEF-NUTRITION AND FOOD SERVICES
CENTRAL ARKANSAS VETERANS HEALTHCARE SYSTEM
09.2012 - 06.2013
FOOD SERVICE SYSTEMS MANAGEMENT DIETITIAN
CENTRAL ARKANSAS VETERANS HEALTHCARE SYSTEM
04.2010 - 04.2015
PRESIDENT
ARKANSAS ACADEMY OF NUTRITION AND DIETETICS
01.2010 - 01.2011
NUTRITION AND FOOD SERVICE MANAGER
BAPTIST HEALTH MEDICAL CENTER
08.2009 - 04.2010
NUTRITION AND FOOD SERVICE COORDINATOR
BAPTIST HEALTH MEDICAL CENTER
05.2006 - 08.2009
LONG TERM CARE-DIETARY CONSULTANT
BEVERLY HEALTHCARE
09.2004 - 05.2006
Masters of Science - Dietetics
University of Central Arkansas
Bachelors - Family and Consumer Science
University of Central Arkansas
High School -
Bryant High School