Communication: I enjoy working with individuals and groups to encourage, educate and help them apply behavior changes for weight loss. As the bariatric program dietitian, I am also responsible for teaching various classes to groups of patients who are making drastic lifestyle changes to prepare for bariatric surgery.

Cooking: I developed this skill out of personal necessity, but I have used it daily in my career to either alter recipes to improve nutrient profile or to increase the quantity of portions to serve.

Computing: I am proficient in the use of Windows and Apple platforms. I am competent to use the Electronic Medical Record (Citrix programs, CBORD and Unity by Siemens) as well as computer programs used to make nutrient analyses such as ESHA Food Processor SQL and Diet Analysis Plus.

Creativity: I enjoy designing media for consumers or the public, As a student I designed various posters and brochures to convey nutrition or health related information. As a professional, I have used this skill to improve teaching activities in my classes.

Innovation: As a student, I designed a tool for monitoring portion control and dietary intake. An image of "The Pyramid Monitor" is available on this site.

Interpersonal Relations: I am a "people person" by nature and enjoy working on a team. I will frequently volunteer to work on improving a project, idea or service.

Planning and Organizing: I am very organized and will plan to complete large projects in small steps. I set frequent goals for completion.

Research: Nutrition is my passion and I work to keep my level of expertise and my portfolio with CDR current. I enjoy reading professional articles as well as lay literature to improve my practice and knowledge base.

Teaching: I have been responsible for updating and editing materials provided to pateints at my current position. I have worked with other dietitians across the region  and individually to create handouts and meal plans that are readable, concise and accurate to both patients and other health professionals.

Writing: Writing has always been a passion of mine. While I enjoy compiling research papers, I prefer to use my skills as a dietitian to convey information about diet and nutrition to the public.