Dietitians in Nutrition Support: DNS Podcast

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.

Feeding critically ill patients is anything but simple. Between proning, sedation, procedures, and constant interruptions, nutrition support in the ICU often falls short, despite strong evidence and best intentions.In our latest DNS Podcast episode, Christina Rollins is joined by Susy Cohen, a critical care dietitian who has led measurable improvements in enteral and parenteral nutrition through practical, protocol-driven, interdisciplinary approaches.🎙️ In this episode, we discuss:• Feeding prone patients• Early enteral nutrition for intubated patients• Rate-based feeding to improve adequacy• Collaborating with pharmacy to ensure appropriate PN useIf you work in critical care nutrition—or want strategies that actually work at the bedside—this episode is for you.🔗 Learn more at dnsdpg.org

Stem cell transplant patients face significant GI challenges that make nutrition support complex—and critical. In this episode, I’m joined by Katie Harper, MS, RD, CNSC, an expert in oncology and blood and marrow transplant nutrition, to break down best practices for transitioning patients from parenteral nutrition (PN) to enteral nutrition (EN).We cover:• When nutrition support is needed during transplant• Key challenges with PN• How to assess readiness for EN• Practical strategies for successful PN-to-EN transitions• The importance of interdisciplinary collaborationA must-listen for dietitians and clinicians supporting stem cell transplant patients.🎧 Listen now and join the conversation.

Disclosure: Brittney Patterson is employed by HealthLeap, an AI Malnutrition start-up. Have you ever wondered how artificial intelligence is changing the way dietitians work in hospitals and critical care? In this episode of the DNS Podcast, host Christina Rollins sits down with Brittney Patterson, MS, RD-AP, CNSC, a seasoned clinician and nutrition informatics expert.Brittney shares her decade-plus experience in critical care and nutrition support, and how she now helps dietitians harness AI and EHR data to:Quickly identify and prioritize malnourished patientsStreamline workflows for faster, safer careEnhance clinical decision-making without replacing the dietitian’s expertiseFrom her innovative work at Stanford Health Care to her role at HealthLeap, Brittney bridges the gap between clinical practice and cutting-edge technology, showing how AI can truly empower dietitians and improve patient outcomes.Whether you’re a dietitian curious about informatics, a healthcare professional navigating AI integration, or simply fascinated by the future of clinical nutrition, this episode is packed with insights, real-world examples, and practical takeaways.Continue learning today at www.dnsdpg.org!

Hands-on training is transforming how dietitians learn and lead in nutrition support. Join host Christina Rollins as she talks with Jeanna Rich, RD, CSO and Gabrielle Haskell, MS, RD, LDN from OSF Cancer Institute, who share how they developed an interactive Enteral Nutrition Skills Lab to strengthen real-world enteral nutrition skills, boost collaboration, and improve patient care.Continue learning at dnsdpg.org. Be sure to check out Gabby and Jeanna at the Illinois Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics Spring Symposium on March 20 - 21, 2026. Registration is open at https://www.eatrightillinois.org/annual-spring-assembly.

Gastrointestinal complications are common—but often underrecognized—after lung transplantation. From diarrhea and nausea to malabsorption and poor appetite, these challenges can seriously impact recovery and long-term health outcomes.In this episode of the DNS Podcast, host Christina Rollins speaks with Bridget Doyle, MS, RD, LDN, CNSC, a transplant dietitian specializing in lung transplant nutrition. Bridget shares her expertise on identifying, managing, and supporting patients through complex GI issues post-transplant.Listeners will gain insights on:✅ The most frequent GI complications following lung transplant✅ How medications like immunosuppressants and antibiotics affect digestion✅ Practical nutrition strategies for diarrhea, nausea, and poor intake✅ Food safety guidance for immunocompromised patients✅ When to consider enteral or parenteral nutrition support✅ Key labs and nutrients to monitor for optimal recoveryTune in to hear evidence-based strategies for improving GI health and supporting successful long-term outcomes for transplant recipients. Visit us at dnsdpg.org to learn more.

Accessing enteral nutrition (EN) through durable medical equipment (DME) providers often hinges on one critical factor: medical necessity. Yet payer requirements, documentation standards, and coverage rules can make the process complicated for both clinicians and patients.In this episode, host Christina Rollins sits down with Kim Iles and Brittany Buchholz to unpack how DME suppliers determine coverage, clarify what constitutes medical necessity, and explore how policies differ across Medicare, Medicaid, and commercial insurance.🎙️ Whether you’re a dietitian, healthcare provider, or advocate, you’ll gain practical strategies to document effectively, work with DME providers, and ensure patients receive the EN support they need. This episode was recorded on 9/17/25 and is hosted by Christina Rollins, MBA, MS, RDN, LDN, FAND, CNSC. Learn more at dnsdpg.org.

Enterocutaneous fistulas present one of the most complex challenges in clinical nutrition—and parenteral nutrition often plays a central role in management. In our latest episode, we’re joined by Vanessa Kumpf, PharmD, leading expert in nutrition support, to discuss evidence-based strategies, real-world decision-making, and how to optimize outcomes for these high-risk patients.🎙️ Hosted by Christina Rollins, this conversation covers:When and how to initiate parenteral nutritionManaging high-output fistulas and fluid/electrolyte balanceNavigating complications and multidisciplinary careTransitioning to enteral/oral feeding when appropriatePractical insights for clinicians working in acute and home care settingsWhether you’re a dietitian, physician, pharmacist, or nurse, this episode offers valuable tools to support your practice. This episode was recorded on 8/18/25.

In this episode, we dive into the complex world of nutrition management following pneumonectomy—a rare but high-risk surgical procedure that requires expert nutrition care.Join Stacey Pelekhaty, MS, RD, CNSC, as she shares her clinical expertise on the metabolic demands, nutrition strategies, and interdisciplinary collaboration needed to support patients through recovery. From optimizing energy needs to managing complications, Stacey offers practical insights that every nutrition professional should hear.Hosted by Christina Rollins, MBA, MS, RDN, LDN, FAND, CNSC, this conversation is a must-listen for dietitians working in critical care, surgery, and nutrition support. Recorded 7/19/25.

Disclosure: Michelle May, MD, is the founder of Am I Hungry? Mindful Eating Programs and Training and author of the Eat What You Love, Love What You Eat book series.In this episode of the Dietitians in Nutrition Support (DNS) Podcast, we’re joined by Dr. Michelle May—physician, mindful eating expert, and founder of Am I Hungry?—to explore the transformative power of weight-inclusive care in clinical nutrition practice. Dr. May shares her personal journey from yo-yo dieting to developing a more compassionate, evidence-based approach to patient care. You’ll learn how to shift away from weight-centric models, address weight stigma in healthcare, and integrate mindful eating and Health at Every Size® (HAES®) principles into nutrition support and medical nutrition therapy (MNT). This episode was recorded on 6/23/25 and hosted by Christina Rollins, MBA, MS, RDN, LDN, FAND, CNSC.🔗 Show Notes & Resources:📄 Peer-Reviewed Article:Mauldin, K., May, M., Clifford, D. (2022). The consequences of a weight‐centric approach to healthcare: A case for a paradigm shift in how clinicians address body weight. Published in Nutrition in Clinical Practice. Read here🧠 Bias Awareness Tool:Take the Weight Implicit Association TestGo to “Project Implicit Social Attitudes” → Click “Go” as guest → Select “Weight IAT”📚 Health at Every Size® Framework:Learn more at ASDAH – Association for Size Diversity and Health

What’s in a word? More than you might think.In this thought-provoking episode of the DNS Podcast, Terese Scollard, MBA, RDN, joins us to challenge a commonly used term in nutrition support—“bridle.” We explore how language influences perception, practice, and patient care.A must-listen for dietitians, clinicians, and anyone working in enteral nutrition. Access Scollard's letter to the editor at https://doi.org/10.1002/jpen.2430. This episode was hosted by Christina Rollins, MBA, MS, RDN, LDN, FAND, CNSC and was recorded on 5/5/25.

In our latest DNS podcast episode, we chat with Egondu Onuoha, MS, RD, CDN, IBCLC, RLC, CDCES, GPC, FAND, FILCA —healthcare executive and former Academy board member—about how AI is transforming nutrition assessments, predictive analytics, and personalized care plans.Join us as we explore how AI is enhancing the accuracy and efficiency of nutrition assessments, the most promising tools available to clinicians, and the potential of predictive analytics to identify patients at risk of malnutrition. We’ll also tackle challenges like implementation, ethical considerations, and maintaining evidence-based care in an AI-driven world. This episode is hosted by Christina Rollins, MBA, MS, RDN, LDN, FAND, CNSC and was recorded on 4/14/25.