Experience

Los Angeles County Department of Public Health

• Government Administration
• 1 - 100 Employee

• Senior Program Manager

  • Dec 2021 - Present

  Los Angeles, CA - Partnered with three healthcare organizations to launch Gus Schumacher Nutrition Incentive Program (GusNIP), Produce Prescription Project (PPR) at nine health centers in Los Angeles County, targeting Medi-Cal, food insecure, diabetic and prediabetic patients. - Trained healthcare staff on GusNIP-PPR reporting activities per federal funder requirements. - Composed Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) agreements to utilize a technology platform to accept PPR incentives electronically at… Show more - Partnered with three healthcare organizations to launch Gus Schumacher Nutrition Incentive Program (GusNIP), Produce Prescription Project (PPR) at nine health centers in Los Angeles County, targeting Medi-Cal, food insecure, diabetic and prediabetic patients. - Trained healthcare staff on GusNIP-PPR reporting activities per federal funder requirements. - Composed Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) agreements to utilize a technology platform to accept PPR incentives electronically at large-chain grocery stores. - Reported produce prescription project activities into online portal monthly, including documenting the number of participants enrolled in PPR, redemption rates at participating grocery stores, and number of nutrition education activities offered. - Assisted in developing budgets related to Produce Prescription Project contracts and MOUs (totaling in nearly $1 million). - Composed interdepartmental MOU between DPH Division of Chronic Disease Division and Division of Community Field Services (total $144,000) to allocate funding towards CalFresh Healthy Living nutrition education activities and produce distribution events. - Composed 10 Scope of Work and developed minimum bidder requirements for contracted venders to provide trainings to DPH staff (total $250,000). - Co-facilitated the Los Angeles Food Rx Collaborative – a collaboration of clinical social workers, public health nurses, and health educators from across 16 DPH and Department of Health Services (DHS) health clinics aiming to increase healthy food access to patients and community members via free monthly produce distributions and screening patients for food insecurity and referring them to local food resources.

• Program Manager

  • Mar 2016 - Dec 2021

  Los Angeles, CA - Provided training and technical assistance to 4 healthcare clinics to implement the 2-item food insecurity screening tool and refer patients to local food resources, such as CalFresh, WIC and food pantries. - Provided a training to over 80 Los Angeles County public health nurses on administrating the 2-item food insecurity screener and program eligibility requirements for CalFresh, WIC, Summer Meals Program, Market Match and food pantries. - Facilitate and supervise activities for the… Show more - Provided training and technical assistance to 4 healthcare clinics to implement the 2-item food insecurity screening tool and refer patients to local food resources, such as CalFresh, WIC and food pantries. - Provided a training to over 80 Los Angeles County public health nurses on administrating the 2-item food insecurity screener and program eligibility requirements for CalFresh, WIC, Summer Meals Program, Market Match and food pantries. - Facilitate and supervise activities for the coalition Nutrition Access LA, a partnership with government, nonprofit organizations and advocacy groups working to increase food security in Los Angeles County. - Collaborated with WIC, CalFresh, and Office of Immigrant Affairs to host a Facebook live chat in Spanish with over 2,000 views on healthy eating and how WIC and CalFresh can help buy healthy food. - Provided programmatic contract oversight for 7 agencies for federal grant, Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program Education (SNAP-Ed), locally known as CalFresh Healthy Living. - Composed Scope of Work (SOW) program deliverables for the following CalFresh Healthy Living trainings (total of $100,000): Building Community Engagement Training and Technical Assistance, Multi-Sector Group Facilitation Training, Food Pantry Nutrition Standards Assessment Consultative Services, Opportunities for Food Distribution in Los Angeles County Technical Assistance, Promotor (Peer to Peer) Training, Healthy Retail Technical Assistance, and Collective Impact Technical Assistance.

• Public Health Nutritionist

  • Jul 2014 - Mar 2016

  - Performed legislative analysis for DPH leadership on the following state bills: AB 2054 – Summer Electronic Benefit Transfer for Children, AB 2151 – CalWORKS Special Diet Needs Allowance, SB 285 – CalFresh Connect, and SB 347 – Sugar Sweetened Beverage Safety Warnings. - Composed public comments for the Federal Register on behalf of DPH on the following proposals: SNAP Requirements for Able-Bodied Adults without Dependents, SNAP Broad Based Categorical Eligibility, and Dietary Guidelines… Show more - Performed legislative analysis for DPH leadership on the following state bills: AB 2054 – Summer Electronic Benefit Transfer for Children, AB 2151 – CalWORKS Special Diet Needs Allowance, SB 285 – CalFresh Connect, and SB 347 – Sugar Sweetened Beverage Safety Warnings. - Composed public comments for the Federal Register on behalf of DPH on the following proposals: SNAP Requirements for Able-Bodied Adults without Dependents, SNAP Broad Based Categorical Eligibility, and Dietary Guidelines for All Americans 2020 research topic and questions. - Compose fact sheets and talking points for public health executives speaking at a press event about the health risks associated with children aged 0-5 consuming sugar-sweetened beverages for the Choose Water campaign. - Research evidence-based guidelines on added sugars to establish Los Angeles County’s position to support a Daily Reference Value for added sugars on Nutrition Facts Label. - Developed and implemented a nutrition training workshop for 40 DPH public health nurses and health educators on macronutrients, micronutrients, MyPlate and heart healthy diets. - Managed 16 dietetic interns in completing tasks that demonstrates core competencies of Commission on Dietetic Registration. - Solicit support from local restaurant owners to partake in Choose Health LA Restaurant program to offer free water to restaurant patrons; provide reduced portion sizes of meals; and increase fruit/vegetable options on children’s menus.



American Diabetes Association

• United States
• Non-profit Organizations
• 700 & Above Employee

• Program Evaluator

  • Jul 2014 - Feb 2015

  Greater Los Angeles Area - Evaluated the quality and effectiveness of services and operations provided by 4 diabetes self-management programs or Education Recognition Programs (ERP) administered by contracted agencies, City of Long Beach, City of Pasadena, Watts Healthcare, and Western University; developed standards for evaluation for quality assurance related to diabetes. - Investigated aspects of ERP contracted agency operations such as compliance, personnel and program management set forth by the National… Show more - Evaluated the quality and effectiveness of services and operations provided by 4 diabetes self-management programs or Education Recognition Programs (ERP) administered by contracted agencies, City of Long Beach, City of Pasadena, Watts Healthcare, and Western University; developed standards for evaluation for quality assurance related to diabetes. - Investigated aspects of ERP contracted agency operations such as compliance, personnel and program management set forth by the National Standards for Diabetes Self-Management Education and Support. - Prepared written report on ERP program activities and on progress towards achieving the overall goals of the program, which is to reduce the incidence and prevalence of diabetes. Show less



PIH Health

• United States
• Hospitals and Health Care
• 700 & Above Employee

• Clinical Dietitian

  • May 2011 - Jul 2014

  Downey, CA - Assessed the nutritional risk levels of ~1,800 low-income, primarily Hispanic patients based on anthropometric measurements, biochemical data, dietary recall, physical examination and medical diagnosis. - Provides medical nutrition therapy to nutritionally at risk patients and communicates goals of care to members of the inter-disciplinary team such as nurses, pharmacist and speech therapist. - Counsels patients individually on chronic conditions such as diabetes, cardiovascular and… Show more - Assessed the nutritional risk levels of ~1,800 low-income, primarily Hispanic patients based on anthropometric measurements, biochemical data, dietary recall, physical examination and medical diagnosis. - Provides medical nutrition therapy to nutritionally at risk patients and communicates goals of care to members of the inter-disciplinary team such as nurses, pharmacist and speech therapist. - Counsels patients individually on chronic conditions such as diabetes, cardiovascular and kidney disease. - Lectures monthly to 20 medical students and residents on nutrition related to chronic diseases. - Instructor of monthly diabetes and heart healthy classes to patients and the community. - Develops the department’s educational materials, including patient handouts, classroom curriculum and marketing materials to promote health fairs. - Directs and trains dietetic interns, Registered Diet Technicians and students on preventative nutrition counseling and therapeutic diets. - Writer and founder of the quarterly nutrition newsletter that includes seasonal recipes on fruits and vegetables and "Ask the Dietitian" column section. - Conducts monthly performance improvement projects and presents findings at interdisciplinary meetings. Show less



UCLA

• United States
• Higher Education
• 700 & Above Employee

• Registered Dietitian

  • Jun 2013 - Sep 2013

  Greater Los Angeles Area - Counseled and educated UCLA employees on weight-loss and managing chronic diseases through behavioral and lifestyle modifications. - Assessed client’s readiness for change and implemented nutrition interventions based on stages of change theory. - Collaborated as needed with personal trainers and psychologists on providing client consultative services.



Kindred

• United States
• Hospitals and Health Care
• 700 & Above Employee

• Clinical Dietitian

  • Nov 2010 - Nov 2012

  Brea, CA - Performed individual nutrition assessments to primarily geriatric patients in a long-term acute care hospital based on anthropometric measurements, biochemical data, dietary recall, physical examination and medical diagnosis. - Consulted on daily interdisciplinary team round meetings with physicians, nurses, physical therapists and pharmacists to achieve patient care goals. - Attended quality improvement meetings related to reducing hospital usage of Total Parenteral Nutrition (TPN) for… Show more - Performed individual nutrition assessments to primarily geriatric patients in a long-term acute care hospital based on anthropometric measurements, biochemical data, dietary recall, physical examination and medical diagnosis. - Consulted on daily interdisciplinary team round meetings with physicians, nurses, physical therapists and pharmacists to achieve patient care goals. - Attended quality improvement meetings related to reducing hospital usage of Total Parenteral Nutrition (TPN) for patients with functional GI tract. - Supervised food service staff on appropriate diet textures for specific therapeutic diets. Show less



New Life Weight Loss Centers

• Registered Dietitian

  • Sep 2010 - Mar 2011

  Beverly Hills - Facilitated group seminars on the pre and postoperative laparoscopic band (lap band) diet that emphasized proper eating techniques, foods and supplements to prevent vitamin and mineral deficiencies. - Assessed patient's readiness for bariatric surgery by evaluating patients’ fitness levels, behavioral and dietary choices. - Launched a weekly weight loss support group for postoperative bariatric patients. - Collaborated with surgeons, insurance consultants and medical assistants for… Show more - Facilitated group seminars on the pre and postoperative laparoscopic band (lap band) diet that emphasized proper eating techniques, foods and supplements to prevent vitamin and mineral deficiencies. - Assessed patient's readiness for bariatric surgery by evaluating patients’ fitness levels, behavioral and dietary choices. - Launched a weekly weight loss support group for postoperative bariatric patients. - Collaborated with surgeons, insurance consultants and medical assistants for delivering patient care. Show less