New Outpatient Nutrition Center Opens at Cheyenne Regional Medical Center

March 10, 2017

Cheyenne Regional Medical Center is now offering nutrition consultations, nutrition education and medical nutrition therapy to community members and CRMC patients through its newly opened Outpatient Nutrition Center, located in the CRMC Cancer Center, 310 East 24th St.

“Our goal is to help people from all walks of life and of all ages meet their personal nutrition and wellness goals when it comes to eating healthy and living well,” said Leisann Paglia, a registered dietitian nutritionist and CRMC’s clinical nutrition manager. “Our focus is to also help people who may have general nutrition education needs or medical nutrition therapy needs related to a chronic disease or medical diagnosis.”

The new service is offered by CRMC’s registered dietitian nutritionists, who are credentialed through the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics Commission on Dietetic Registration and are licensed by the State of Wyoming Dietetics Licensing Board.

“As a center, we are available to help with a wide range of health conditions and also with the personal health and wellness goals of adults, teens and children,” Paglia said. “That would include offering sports nutrition to athletes or prenatal nutrition advice to pregnant women. We can even arrange for grocery shopping tours, to help individuals or small groups learn what to look for and what to consider so that they are making healthy food choices.”

The team also provides nutritional education for bariatric patients and others interested in weight loss in addition to patients with chronic diseases who may need more intensive nutritional support to help them manage their conditions.

The new center can also assist individuals who have specific health and wellness goals or are facing situations in which nutritional advice and support could help improve their overall quality of life.

“Food allergies, celiac disease, irritable bowel syndrome and home nutrition support are examples of situations that our team is prepared to address through nutritional counseling and advice,” Paglia said. “’All of these conditions can have a major impact on someone’s life. We can potentially help improve that person’s quality of life by working with them to make changes in their day-to-day diets and by helping them learn how to adjust to those changes.”

While the center is open to anyone seeking nutrition consultations, nutrition education or medical nutrition therapy, costs may only be covered by private insurance if the person is referred by a physician. Paglia recommends that potential clients contact their insurance companies to ask about coverage before scheduling an appointment. A cash pay option is also available.

“Nutrition impacts everyone. That impact can be positive or negative, depending on a whole host of factors,” said Paglia. “At the Outpatient Nutrition Center, our goal is to help people learn and understand how nutrition and eating impacts their lives, and how they can make and adapt to changes that can hopefully help them live and feel better.”

The Outpatient Nutrition Center is currently staffed by Anna D’Hooge, MS, RD, LD; Karla Walden, MS, RD, LD; and Sophie Pettipiece, RD, LD. Consultations are available Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., by appointment only.

For more information about the new center and its services, call 307-633-7864.