Rhode Island Hospital Dietitians Earn Credentials in Oncology Nutrition
(posted June 23, 2009)
PROVIDENCE, RI - Rhode Island Hospital (RIH) dietitians Karen Pasquazzi, RD, CSO, and Lisa Robinson, RD, CSO, have earned national board certification as specialists in oncology nutrition. They are the first registered dietitians in Rhode Island to earn this designation.
The certification was created in 2008 by the Commission on Dietitian Registration and the American Dietitians Association. Currently, only 218 registered dietitians in the country have been certified as specialists in oncology nutrition.
This credential provides Pasquazzi and Robinson with a unique knowledge of how cancer and its treatment affects a patient’s nutrition status. They also evaluate a patient’s lifestyle practices, including age-specific requirements and nutrition treatment goals. They then work with the patient to suggest modifications and strategies to optimize quality of life.
“The training and education Karen and Lisa have received to become certified as specialists in oncology nutrition are a great benefit to our cancer patients at Rhode Island Hospital,” said Katherine Pennington, director of food and nutrition services at RIH. “Many patients don’t think about the impact their food choices will have on cancer treatment, but Karen and Lisa provide patients with the knowledge and tools they need to make informed choices that will help improve their quality of life and work in concert with their treatment.”
Pasquazzi, of Cranston, has worked in food and nutrition services at Rhode Island Hospital since 1978, and as a senior dietitian since 1987. She has also provided nutrition counseling to Ocean State Community Resources; Avatar, Inc.; Health Concepts, Ltd.; the Center for Medical Weight Management; and Medical Homes of Rhode Island. She earned her bachelor’s degree in nutrition and dietetics from the University of Rhode Island.
Robinson, of Barrington, has worked at Rhode Island Hospital as a clinical dietitian since 1988. Prior to joining RIH, she served as a dietitian at Christian Hospital Health Technologies, Inc., in St. Louis, MO; Cambridge Hospital, Cambridge, MA; Boston City Hospital, Boston, MA; Harper-Grace Hospitals, Detroit, MI; and Hunt Memorial Hospital in Danvers, MA. She received her bachelor’s degree in nutrition and dietetics from the University of Rhode Island.