After becoming a dietitian, I was extremely excited to begin practicing nutrition in a private practice setting. I knew I was going to pursue a career in dietetics in high school after I met a dietitian who opened my eyes and changed the way I looked at nutrition in its entirety. I became fascinated with the way nutrition could impact the body, mind, and nervous system. I developed a love for nourishing my body and desired to help others do the same. I graduated with my bachelor’s degree from Buffalo State College and obtained my master’s degree from the University at Buffalo. At the University at Buffalo, I was privileged enough to teach Culinary Medicine on three separate occasions. I taught Culinary Medicine community classes and two University classes for undergraduate and graduate students.

I was also previously employed at Erie County Medical Center (ECMC) as a Clinical Dietitian and gained significant experience and fulfillment from it. I worked closely with oncology patients, those with gastrointestinal conditions, malnourished patients, and those with several chronic diseases. My time at ECMC and Buffalo Nutrition and Dietetics has helped me to become significantly experienced in both clinical nutrition and functional nutrition. 

After beginning to practice functional nutrition, hormonal nutrition and gastrointestinal (GI) nutrition have become my biggest passions. The relationship between the gut and the endocrine system is extensive, making a personalized functional nutrition approach imperative in order to find the root cause of symptoms and restore balance in the body. Hormonal and GI concerns can be debilitating and it has been wonderful to watch my clients begin to flourish after beginning their functional nutrition treatment plan.

Anti-inflammatory nutrition has been a major interest of mine ever since I learned the causes, processes, and dangers of chronic inflammation. I love being in the field of dietetics because it is one of the very few professions highly focused on the prevention of chronic disease, many times caused or exacerbated by chronic inflammation. Inflammation may be silently wreaking havoc on the body or causing a variety of symptoms that may impact one’s quality of life. The signs of inflammation may present themselves as physical, mental, or emotional symptoms, as nutrition also has a large impact on mental health.

I emphasize that food should bring joy and not be a stressful experience. In a society so heavily diet-focused, I have watched many people around me diet and struggle with their relationship with food. One’s relationship with food must be addressed or improved, to eat healthy and be healthy. I am well versed in intuitive and mindful eating, and I have significant education in dealing with those with unhealthy relationships with food, disordered eating habits, and diagnosed eating disorders. 

​I have always emphasized that focusing on adding foods to your diet, instead of removing them, is the best way to improve your health. Healthy eating is an entire experience and is a skill to be learned. Due to my background in culinary medicine, I can help my clients make a lifestyle change by not only providing guidance on healthy eating but also how to incorporate them into easy and delicious meals for their busy lifestyles. 

I am confident in my ability to establish trusting relationships and provide my patients with comprehensive nutrition care, in a safe and comfortable environment.