The Essential Role of Registered Dietitian Nutritionists in Patient Care

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) calls food a “vehicle for wellness,” and for good reason. The right nutrition fuels your body, strengthens your immune system and helps prevent disease. But making healthy food choices isn’t always simple, whether you’re focused on overall well-being or managing a specific condition. That’s where registered dietitian nutritionists (RDNs) come in.  

 

RDNs are experts in nutrition and its impact on health. They help patients make sense of dietary needs, create personalized nutrition plans and work with doctors, nurses, therapists and other healthcare professionals to ensure food supports every stage of the health journey. 

 

For many RDNs, this work is both a science and a calling. “Most of us who enter this field value clinical expertise but also empathy and the desire to help people better themselves,” says Erin Kohler, MS, RDN, LDN, corporate director of Clinical Nutrition at LifeBridge Health.  

 

At LifeBridge Health, RDNs blend knowledge with compassion, making nutrition a key part of care—whether they’re helping you recover from illness, manage a chronic condition or build lifelong healthy habits.

 

The Power of Nutrition in Your Health Journey

 

Eating a balanced diet is one of the most effective ways to protect your health and support healing. Nutrients from fruits, vegetables, whole grains, lean proteins and healthy fats provide the foundation your body needs to function at its best.

 

How Nutrition Supports Everyday Health 
Good nutrition boosts energy, strengthens immunity and reduces the risk of disease. A well-balanced diet can:

• Lower the risk of chronic conditions like heart disease, type 2 diabetes and certain cancers.  
• Strengthen the immune system to fight infections and illnesses.
• Support growth in children and overall health as you age.
• Help regulate weight when combined with physical activity.
• Build and maintain strong bones and muscles for lifelong mobility.

 

How Nutrition Aids Recovery and Healing 
When recovering from illness, injury or surgery, your body’s nutritional needs change. The right balance of nutrients can speed healing, reduce complications and restore strength.

• Protein repairs muscles, skin and tissues.
• Carbohydrates and fats provide energy for recovery.
• Vitamins and minerals support immune function, wound healing and collagen production.
• A well-nourished body heals faster and is better equipped to fight infections, which is especially important during hospital stays.

 

With advanced training in evidence-based nutrition, RDNs are equipped to develop and implement treatment plans that support your individual needs.

 

How RDNs Support Patients

 

At LifeBridge Health, RDNs provide expert nutrition care in hospitals, outpatient clinics and a long-term care (LTC) facility. Their days look different depending on the setting, but their goal is always the same: helping patients use food as a tool for better health.

 

Inpatient RDNs: Nutrition as a Medical Intervention 
In hospitals and LTC facilities, inpatient RDNs provide medical nutrition therapy for patients in recovery while also ensuring long-term care residents maintain their strength and well-being.

 

What They Do:

• Assess nutrition status through screenings, patient interviews and weight reports.
• Develop and adjust nutrition plans based on medical conditions and recovery needs.
• Manage enteral nutrition (feeding tubes) for patients who cannot eat by mouth.
• Collaborate with care teams during rounds and treatment planning.
• Track progress and update interventions as needed.

 

Each patient presents unique challenges, and problem-solving is a big part of an RDN’s role. Jenna Deak, RDN, LDN, a clinical and LTC dietitian at Levindale Hebrew Geriatric Center and Hospital, loves the variety her work brings. “A lot of times, we have to think outside the box,” she says. “Each person is different. That’s what I really like about my job.”

 

Beyond clinical interventions, RDNs also provide education and emotional support. Madeline West, RD, LDN, a clinical dietitian at Northwest Hospital, finds meaning in being a resource for patients. “Just being an outlet and being exposed to all these different patients is rewarding,” she says.

 

Outpatient RDNs: Helping Patients Build Healthy Habits 
Outpatient RDNs work with patients beyond hospital admission, helping them manage chronic conditions and build sustainable nutrition habits.

 

What They Do:

• Evaluate medical history, dietary habits and lifestyle factors.
• Create personalized nutrition plans for managing conditions like diabetes, heart disease and digestive disorders.
• Provide education and counseling to help patients overcome food-related challenges.
• Monitor progress and adjust recommendations based on lab results and patient feedback.

 

Because they see patients over weeks, months or even years, outpatient RDNs often get to see real transformations. "It’s rewarding to see the progress people make, whether it’s labs, weight changes or just their willingness to try something new," says pediatric dietitian Taylor Kasoff, RDN, LDN.

 

But changing eating habits isn’t always easy. Many patients struggle with ingrained habits, limited access to healthy foods or cultural preferences that conflict with standard dietary advice. “We’re working with human behavior and all of the different conditions and backgrounds people are coming from,” says Krista Blackwell, MS, RD, LDN, CNSC, a dietitian at Carroll Hospital.

 

To navigate these challenges, RDNs work as part of a multidisciplinary care team.

 

How RDNs Collaborate with Your Care Team

 

RDNs don’t work alone—they are part of a larger care team that helps patients achieve their health goals.

• With Physicians: Developing nutrition plans tailored to medical conditions and recovery needs.
• With Nurses: Monitoring dietary intake and educating patients and families.  
• With Therapists: Supporting rehabilitation and addressing eating challenges, such as swallowing disorders and sensory issues.
• With Social Workers and Care Navigators: Helping patients overcome barriers to eating.

 

This collaboration allows our teams to provide personalized support for each patient.  

 

Our RDNs have worked alongside speech therapists to help patients overcome a fear of choking on new foods, using counseling and gradual exposure to rebuild confidence and improve nutrition. They’ve also partnered with care teams to assist patients struggling to communicate their needs around food, working with social workers, food services and family members to ensure they feel heard, regain trust and develop more stable nutrition routines.

 

No matter your situation, our team is ready to meet you where you are.  

 

Recognizing the Impact of Our Dietitians  

 

“The world of nutrition is constantly changing,” says Erin Kohler. This National Nutrition Month, we celebrate the RDNs who evolve with it—bringing expertise, innovation and compassion to every patient they support.  

 

Whether they’re helping someone heal, regain strength or adopt healthier habits, their impact goes far beyond the plate.

 

Want to learn how an RDN can help you? Click here to explore nutrition services at LifeBridge Health.