Mahaska Health Partnership Explains Role of Registered Dietitian
Mahaska Health Partnership
MAHASKA COUNTY – When most people think of a dietitian, they think of their role pertaining to meal restrictions for patients in the hospital setting. However, they work with many individuals for a wide range of needs, and not just as patients. Mahaska Health Partnership educates on the role of dietitians and how they can help individuals with a variety of nutrition goals.
As a Registered Dietitian (RD) at MHP, Lea Rice works with many patients on a daily basis to best meet their nutrition needs. “My main role in patient care is to make sure individuals are getting the proper nutrition, whether it’s at MHP or at home,” Rice explained. “I love being able to help people feel better and learn the best way to meet their nutrition needs to live healthier lives.”
Rice stressed the importance of healthy eating while recovering from illness or injury. “Your body needs the fuel and nutrients from food to heal. If you aren’t getting the proper nutrition or not enough of it, the healing process can take longer. I work with providers to make sure your health plan and diet coincide to get you back on your feet as quickly as possible.”
While Rice often works in the hospital setting, she also helps educate those with chronic health conditions. “I work closely with patients who have recently received a chronic diagnosis.
“While a diagnosis such as diabetes or congestive heart failure can be scary, there are many ways to manage it,” Rice continued. “Changes in your eating habits can have a significant impact on your health and improve your current condition.”
Those who have specific health goals can also benefit from nutritional counseling. “I can help anyone who is looking to build muscle, lose weight or struggling with other nutritional issues,” Rice shared. “If you’re not a cook, but want to serve your family healthier meals, I can offer tips to make easy and convenient items for your family. Or, if you’re worried that your child or elderly family member is not getting the proper nutrition they need, I can help develop a meal plan and monitor their progress to ensure they stay healthy.”
Rice said the biggest hesitation people have with scheduling an appointment with a dietitian is that fear of strict diet restrictions. “My job isn’t to dictate what you can and can’t eat,” Rice explained. “Instead, my goal is always to find solutions that work for YOU. Whether it’s finding simple ways to modify recipes or learning cooking tips to make eating at home easier, I’m here to help you reach your nutrition goals.”
Though she wears many hats, Rice shared her favorite part of being a dietitian is seeing people’s successes. “I love being able to help people find things that work for them and help improve their quality of life. Whether it’s a new passion for cooking, starting a family garden or simply learning new ways to incorporate healthy foods in ways you never considered, I love helping people learn to love nutrition. We all have to eat, we might as well enjoy it!”
Registered Dietitian Lea Rice provides inpatient and outpatient nutrition education, helping patients understand how their diet affects their overall health and well-being; including counseling patients with chronic health conditions. She is very involved in the community and enjoys sharing evidence-based nutrition information. To schedule a consultation with Rice, call 641.672.3303.
Mahaska Health Partnership, located in Oskaloosa, is a non-profit health system accredited by the Joint Commission. It is guided by its mission to provide exceptional customer service and health improvement, linking the science of medicine with the humanity of compassionate care. For more information about how Mahaska Health Partnership is making healthcare personal, look us up on the web: mahaskahealth.org.
