THANIA N. ORTIZ SANTIAGO
Sandy Springs,GA
Summary
Registered Dietitian with expertise in clinical nutrition assessment, personalized care planning, and interdisciplinary collaboration across acute and long-term care settings. Driven to improve patient outcomes through evidence-based nutrition education and sustainable behavior change. Adaptable, detail-oriented professional experienced in managing complex patient populations — ideal for travel-based clinical roles.
Overview
3
3
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Dietitian Nutritionist
Sodexo
11.2024 - Current
- Conduct comprehensive nutrition assessments and risk screenings for residents in a 300-bed rehabilitation and long-term care facility, managing complex cases involving chronic disease, wounds, weight changes, and malnutrition using ADIME documentation.
- Complete and support MDS nutrition sections, including weight changes, intake, supplements, and care planning to ensure regulatory compliance.
- Develop and implement individualized nutrition care plans (NCP) based on medical conditions, dietary preferences, and functional abilities.
- Monitor weight trends, lab values, and oral intake, adjusting interventions to improve clinical outcomes.
- Recommend, initiate, and oversee enteral nutrition regimens in collaboration with medical teams.
- Provide nutrition education and counseling to residents and families on therapeutic diets (diabetes, renal, cardiac, texture-modified).
- Assist with dysphagia diets and collaborate with speech-language pathologists to ensure safe and appropriate food textures.
- Support menu planning and dietary compliance for residents with specialized nutrition needs.
- Conduct meal rounds to assess tray accuracy, satisfaction, and adherence to prescribed diets.
- Participate in care conferences, interdisciplinary rounds, and care plan meetings to optimize resident outcomes.
- Collaborate with physicians, nurses, foodservice teams, and allied health professionals to deliver coordinated, patient-centered care.
Dietetic Intern
Nestlé
01.2024 - 03.2024
- Assisted in HACCP mapping for ready-to-drink products and reorganized identification codes.
- Designed and launched a wellness walking challenge with handouts and email campaigns.
Acute Care Dietetic Intern
Mount Carmel Health System
01.2024 - 03.2024
- Delivered nutritional interventions in a 200-bed acute care facility, including ONS, TPN, and EN.
- Documented care processes and updated patient education on wound healing.
- Gained ICU experience providing care for high-acuity patients.
Food Service Dietetics Intern
OSU Wexner Medical Center
11.2023 - 12.2023
- Scaled recipe for large events, conducted ingredient cost analysis, and co-led marketing efforts; sold 191 brownies, surpassing prior intern sales.
- Led a Quality Improvement Project evaluating tray assembly and food quality; developed test/implementation plan, collected and analyzed data, and proposed strategies to enhance accuracy and patient satisfaction.
Nutrition intern
Abbott Nutrition Health Institute (ANHI)
10.2023 - 11.2023
- Reviewed and presented summary of the upcoming FDA front-of-packaging labeling changes proposing modifications to the current nutrition facts infographics and current nutrition facts certificate of training program.
- Updated ANHI's course catalog with the appropriate tags for improved search and categorization.
Transplant Dietetic intern
OSU Wexner Medical Center
09.2023 - 10.2023
- Conducted nutrition assessments for kidney/liver transplant patients and provided renal diet education.
- Translated patient handouts and educational materials into Spanish.
Dietetic intern
Primary One Health
08.2023 - 09.2023
- Delivered culturally tailored medical nutrition therapy, implementing SMART goals in collaboration with patients.
- Applied evidence-based practices to manage diabetes, hypertension, weight, and appetite issues.
- Developed and translated patient education handouts to enhance engagement and understanding.
Dietetic Intern
CDC's Division of Nutrition, Physical Activity, and Obesity (DNPAO)
06.2023 - 07.2023
- Reviewed and updated Healthy Eating webpage and resources, and contributed to website expansion aligned with national wellness models.
- Collaborated on a wellness challenge proposal to promote healthy eating across remote, onsite, and hybrid state agency staff.
Skills
Technical & Professional: EMR Documentation, Microsoft Office, Interdisciplinary Collaboration, Teamwork, Time Management, Problem-Solving
Technical & Professional: EMR Documentation, Microsoft Office, Interdisciplinary Collaboration, Teamwork, Time Management, Problem-Solving
Technical & Professional: EMR Documentation, Microsoft Office, Interdisciplinary Collaboration, Teamwork, Time Management, Problem-Solving
Certification
- Registered Dietitian, July 2024
Basic Life Support (BLS), August 2025
IBS Management: Low FODMAP, March 2023
ServSafe Manager, February 2023
HACCP, April 2021
Timeline
Dietitian Nutritionist
Sodexo
11.2024 - Current
Dietetic Intern
Nestlé
01.2024 - 03.2024
Acute Care Dietetic Intern
Mount Carmel Health System
01.2024 - 03.2024
Food Service Dietetics Intern
OSU Wexner Medical Center
11.2023 - 12.2023
Nutrition intern
Abbott Nutrition Health Institute (ANHI)
10.2023 - 11.2023
Transplant Dietetic intern
OSU Wexner Medical Center
09.2023 - 10.2023
Dietetic intern
Primary One Health
08.2023 - 09.2023
Dietetic Intern
CDC's Division of Nutrition, Physical Activity, and Obesity (DNPAO)
06.2023 - 07.2023