The Power of Professional Involvement: Why Dietitians Should Get Active in Their Profession

This podcast episode is sponsored by Avanos Medical, the makers of MIC-KEY® Feeding Tubes.In this episode of the DNS Podcast, Stephanie Dobak, MS, RDN, LDN, Clinical Dietitian at the Jefferson Weinberg ALS Center, sits down with host Christina Rollins to discuss how expanding the role of the registered dietitian can improve patient care for individuals living with ALS.Listen in as we discuss the critical role of enteral nutrition throughout the ALS disease course, Stephanie's experience becoming credentialed to perform routine G-tube exchanges, and how interdisciplinary collaboration makes this innovative practice possible. This episode is a must-listen for dietitians, nutrition support clinicians, and healthcare professionals interested in advancing patient-centered care and the evolving scope of dietetics.Continue learning at dnsdpg.org.

In this episode of the DNS Podcast, Christina Rollins talks with Ashley DePriest, RDN, about how professional involvement can strengthen careers, build leadership skills, expand networks, and give dietitians a voice in the future of the profession.They discuss choosing the right organizations, finding opportunities that fit your schedule, developing leadership skills, advancing your career, and becoming an advocate for dietetics and nutrition support.Whether you're a student, early-career dietitian, or experienced professional, discover how taking one small step toward involvement can open unexpected doors.Continue learning at dnsdpg.org.

How can we strengthen nutrition support education across medical training? In this episode of the DNS Podcast, Christina Rollins talks with Diane Nowak, CNSC, APRD, about the evolution of nutrition support education, persistent knowledge gaps, interdisciplinary collaboration, and what the future could look like for medical students, residents, and fellows.Listen now and join the conversation about shaping the future of nutrition support education and patient care!Continue learning at dnsdpg.org.

This episode is sponsored by Ironwood. Listen in as host Christina Rollins explores the patient experience of living with short bowel syndrome (SBS) alongside the clinical management of this complex condition. Joining the conversation are Marion Winkler, PhD, RD, LDN, CNSC, an expert in nutrition support, and Michael McCormack, who shares his personal journey living with SBS. Together, they discuss nutrition support, quality of life, patient-centered care, and practical strategies for supporting individuals with SBS.Learn more at eatrightpro.org or dnsdpg.org.

In this special collaboration between the Dietitians in Nutrition Support and Pediatric Nutrition Dietetic Practice Groups, we explore why understanding the patient perspective is essential to delivering truly patient-centered nutrition care.Host Christina Rollins is joined by Beth Gore, CEO of the Oley Foundation, and Michele Spurlock, a pediatric nutrition support expert, to discuss the realities patients and caregivers face while managing enteral and parenteral nutrition at home.Together, they share insights on transitioning from hospital to home, addressing gaps in care, building trust through better communication, incorporating patient goals into care plans, and the powerful role of peer support and community engagement. This conversation highlights how listening to the patient voice can help dietitians provide more compassionate, practical, and effective nutrition care that improves both outcomes and quality of life.Resources:Oley FoundationAcademy of Nutrition and Dietetics Practice ResourcesTune in for valuable lessons every dietitian can apply to strengthen patient relationships and enhance nutrition support care.

In this live DNS Podcast recorded on 6/3/2026, host Christina Rollins is joined by a multidisciplinary oncology team to explore how strong interdisciplinary relationships optimize enteral nutrition care.  This session will examine real-world strategies for improving collaboration across disciplines, from feeding tube decision-making and placement to monitoring, troubleshooting, and care transitions. Panelists discuss communication gaps, role clarity, shared decision-making, and leadership behaviors that foster a culture of coordinated, patient-centered care. Speaker Bios:Gabrielle Raucci, MS, RD, LDN is an oncology dietitian at OSF Cancer Institute, providing nutrition care across the cancer continuum. She specializes in enteral nutrition support and feeding tube management, co-developed an enteral nutrition skills lab for dietitians, and serves as President-Elect of the Central Illinois Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. Gabrielle earned her master's degree from Illinois State University and was recently named Central Illinois Recognized Young Dietitian of the Year.Jeanna Brouwer, RD, CSO is a board-certified oncology dietitian with more than 13 years of experience supporting patients throughout cancer treatment and survivorship. She has developed numerous educational programs for clinicians and is especially passionate about enteral nutrition, patient advocacy, and improving feeding tube processes from planning through home initiation.Jessica Williams, APRN is an advanced practice registered nurse with otolaryngology at OSF HealthCare. She specializes in ear, nose, and throat care, partnering with patients to identify underlying causes of their conditions and develop individualized, evidence-based treatment plans focused on compassionate care.Nicole McKinley, MS, CCC-SLP is a speech-language pathologist at OSF St. Francis Medical Center with more than 30 years of experience in head and neck cancer, voice, and swallowing disorders. She serves as OSF’s head and neck cancer content specialist, mentors clinicians and students, and is dedicated to restoring voice, swallowing function, and quality of life.Catherine Bailey, RN, OCN is an Oncology Nurse Navigator at OSF Saint Francis Medical Center specializing in head and neck cancer survivorship. She helped develop OSF’s START survivorship program and supports patients through education, support groups, and care coordination. Catherine has published and presented nationally on oncology navigation, survivorship, and advance care planning.Learn more about all things nutrition support at dnsdpg.org.

Artificial intelligence is rapidly changing healthcare, and dietitians are uniquely positioned to use these tools to strengthen evidence-based practice, improve efficiency, and support better patient care. In this episode of the DNS Podcast, host Christina Rollins sits down with Registered Dietitian Nutritionist Keiy Murofushi to explore how clinicians can effectively use AI platforms and open evidence tools in clinical nutrition practice.Together, they discuss what “effective prompting” really means, common mistakes clinicians make when using AI, and practical strategies for accessing and interpreting systematic reviews, practice guidelines, and other evidence-based resources. Keiy also shares insights on balancing efficiency with accuracy, integrating AI into daily workflows, and maintaining ethical and responsible use of these evolving technologies.Whether you are AI-curious or already experimenting with these tools, this episode offers practical guidance to help dietitians confidently navigate the future of nutrition support and evidence-based care.

Malnutrition is more than a diagnosis. It is a critical factor influencing outcomes, recovery, and survival, especially in cardiac transplant patients. In this episode of the DNS Podcast, we focus on identifying and treating malnutrition in patients with advanced heart failure and those undergoing heart transplantation. Early and accurate diagnosis is essential to support metabolic stability, optimize surgical outcomes, and improve recovery. Host Christina Rollins is joined by Lena Beal, RDN, a nationally recognized critical care dietitian with over 25 years of experience in high acuity nutrition support. With deep expertise in heart failure and transplant nutrition, Lena shares practical, real world strategies for managing some of the most complex patients in clinical care.In this episode, you will learn:How to recognize early signs of malnutrition in cardiac transplant patientsHow to assess nutrition status when intake data is limited or unreliableApproaches to micronutrient deficiencies in high risk cardiac populationsStrategies to support patients before and after transplantation How to advocate for nutrition as a priority within the multidisciplinary teamThis conversation reinforces an essential message. Nutrition support is not supportive care. It is lifesaving medicine.

In this episode of the DNS Podcast, we explore ostomy care and nutrition support with Kaitlyn Batista, RDN, CNSC. From understanding the differences between ileostomies and colostomies to managing high-output ileostomies, Kaitlyn shares practical strategies to prevent complications and support long-term success. The conversation highlights key nutrition considerations, patient education across the care continuum, and the role of enteral and parenteral nutrition. Listeners will also gain insight into interdisciplinary collaboration and how dietitians can improve outcomes and quality of life for patients living with ostomies.Learn more at dnsdpg.org

In this special DNS Podcast episode, we spotlight the transition of leadership within the Dietitians in Nutrition Support practice group. Join us as we chat with outgoing Chair Beth Peterson, RDN, and incoming Chair Austin Webb, RDN, as they reflect on the journey of leadership, share lessons learned, and look ahead to the future of DNS. From advancing clinical excellence to strengthening member engagement and shaping the next generation of dietitians, this conversation highlights both the challenges and opportunities that come with leading a dynamic professional community.You’ll hear:• Beth’s reflections on her time as Chair and the impact of her leadership• Key accomplishments and challenges that shaped her tenure• Austin’s vision for the future of DNS and priorities for the year ahead• Insights on how clinicians can get involved and grow within the fieldWhether you are a seasoned nutrition support professional or just getting started, this episode offers inspiration, perspective, and a call to action. Learn more at dnsdpg.org.