Clinical dietitian Cecilia Owens recalls a patient who was in the ICU and had been diagnosed with diabetes. The diagnosis was upsetting to the patient, and he vowed to get his condition under control to no longer need insulin injections. Cecilia worked with him, providing diabetes education. Eventually, he was able to stop taking insulin by working on the nutritional plan she established for him, in addition to having support from an interdisciplinary team. “What’s more rewarding than that?” Cecilia said. “He was really appreciative.”

Cecilia and the other clinical dietitians assess patients' nutritional needs and develop and implement nutrition programs to help improve or maintain patient health in both the inpatient and outpatient setting. Cecilia has worked at CRH for 10 years. She has done a variety of work as a clinical dietitian, including serving as a certified diabetes educator, educating, supporting, and promoting patients’ self-management of their diabetes.

Today her primary role is in inpatient counseling, providing nutrition education for a variety of needs and conditions, including helping to manage chronic disease, losing weight, living well with a restrictive diet, and helping to manage weight-loss surgery. She frequently works in the ICU with an interdisciplinary team to discuss individual patient cases. She enjoys the teamwork aspect. “It’s really a nice atmosphere. They know me and feel comfortable coming up to me and asking for recommendations,” she said. 

Cecilia enjoys seeing patients’ health improve through better nutrition. They look healthier, can have shorter hospital stays, and develop better control over their blood sugar after improving their diet. “It’s just very, very rewarding. It feels like you made a difference in somebody’s life,” Cecilia said.

We’re grateful for the positive difference you’re making in our patients’ lives every day, Cecilia!