CompleteCare Offers Medical Nutrition Services to Patients

Knowing what to eat, when and how much is a struggle many of us face each day, but for those living with chronic diseases like diabetes, kidney disease and HIV, eating well is a vital part of their daily health care plan.
Registered Dietitian Danielle McDevitt joined CompleteCare Health Network in December, working specifically with patients who have health conditions that can be aided with diet and nutrition counseling. Her services, called Medical Nutrition Therapy, will include nutrition counseling for patients with Type I, Type II, Gestational Diabetes, Non-dialysis Kidney Disease and those with HIV/AIDS.
“We brought Danielle to CompleteCare because there is such a need for patient education centered on smart choices and healthy eating,” said CompleteCare Chief Medical Officer Dr. Cheryl Bettigole. “Offering this service to our patients with chronic disease adds another aspect to managing their health and helps us provide them with a more complete care plan.”
McDevitt earned her Bachelor’s and Master’s Degree from Indiana University of Pennsylvania in Indiana, Pennsylvania. Before coming to CompleteCare, she worked for the last 6 1/2 years at a nursing and rehab center in Pleasantville, New Jersey.
“I chose to join the CompleteCare team because, after doing some research, I saw what a huge impact CompleteCare has on the public,” said Danielle. “I really think it’s an inspiring thing when an organization can be involved in so many different people’s lives. I am coming from an environment where I was working with a majority of the same patients day in and day out. I really feel that CompleteCare offers a great opportunity to be involved in the local community.”
At CompleteCare, Danielle will be a part of many of the communities that the organization serves, seeing patients at their locations in Wildwood, Glassboro, Millville, their Women’s Medical Professionals and Adult and Specialty Medical sites in Bridgeton and Vineland.
Danielle’s goals when meeting with a patient are to address questions the patient has about their nutritional health. Then she will review their records and complete an analysis on the patient’s current diet. After the analysis she can offer education, recommendations, and diet therapy counseling pertaining to the patient’s diagnosis. She can also work with the patient to create goals that are appropriate and comfortable for them to improve their overall well-being.
“Making diet or lifestyle modifications one day at a time will add up,” said McDevitt. “I really believe that people put an enormous amount of pressure on themselves when they are given the tools for improvement because they wish for change to happen overnight. If advice is followed and the patient is willing to make the changes suggested, whether it is incorporating at least 10 minutes more of physical activity into their routine each day or consistently following their medication regimen, it will pay off.”
While Danielle doesn’t think one health issue trumps another as far as importance, she does see obesity on the rise and its link to so many other illness and diseases, including high blood pressure, type II diabetes and even stroke can’t be ignored. “I believe that every improvement in someone’s health relating to nutrition is a success on behalf of the healthcare team, the patient, and myself,” said Danielle. “I’m only part of the equation. Whether the patient is making better food choices or their test results improve, it’s a win-win for everyone involved.”
To find out more about the services being offered by Danielle McDevitt at CompleteCare, call 856-451-4700.