Updated 3/10/2021

What do Shield HealthCare’s Registered Dietitians Do for You?

• Coordinate directly with the multidisciplinary healthcare team to meet nutrition goals
• Close the gap in nutrition care between the hospital and home
• Translate nutrition evidence into expert patient care
• Help keep patients healthy in the home
• And more!

Meet your Shield HealthCare Registered Dietitians!

California

Alisha Parker, RD

Alisha received her Master’s degree from the University of Mississippi and completed her coordinated program in dietetics at Delta State University in Cleveland, MS. She has over 5 years of nutrition experience and most recently she worked as the Director of Sports Nutrition for Fresno State Athletics. Alisha has experience in sports nutrition, corporate wellness and eating disorders; and is passionate about educating and helping others.

Annie Muto, MS, RD, CWCMS

Annie received her Master of Science degree in Human Nutrition from Eastern Michigan University and her BA from UCLA. She has over 10 years of nutrition therapy experience and enjoys teaching and supporting patients who are transitioning home from an acute care setting. She finds it very rewarding to bond with both parents and caregivers while helping them improve their confidence and knowledge in tube feeding.

Eleni Gatsios, MA, RDN, CNSC, FAND

Eleni has been practicing Medical Nutrition Therapy for 30 years. Most of her experience as a Dietitian has been with tube fed patients. She enthusiastically advocates for her patients by working with the health care team to achieve their nutrition goals. Eleni also makes time to cook authentic Mediterranean foods and to obtain fresh olive oil from her own olive grove.

Jessie Varela RDN, LDN

Jessie has over 5 years of nutrition experience. Jessie earned her Bachelor of Science degree from California State University, Chico majoring in Dietetics and minoring in Exercise Science. She also completed her accredited internship through Viterbo University Dietetic Internship in La Crosse, WI with a focus in clinical nutrition. In her spare time she enjoys running, hiking, travelling and baking.

Mary Kuehl, MS, RD, CWCMS

Mary received her Master’s degree from Cal Poly Pomona and has specialized in enteral nutrition for 20 years. She finds it very gratifying to help transitioning tube-fed patients from hospital to home. 

Stephani Joseph, MS, RD

Stephani received her Bachelor of Arts degree in Biology from The University of Texas at Austin then her Master of Science degree in Nutritional Science from San Jose State University. She completed her Dietetic Internship through San Jose State University at Santa Clara Valley Medical Center. She enjoys doing pump teaches with families and caregivers because it allows for face-to-face education and a space for families to ask questions. When she’s not working, she is either travelling or planning her next trip.

Colorado

Kristin Koons, RD

Kristin received her Bachelor of Science Degree in Dietetics from the University of Northern Colorado. She completed her Dietetic Internship with Sodexo, with an emphasis in MNT. Kristin has over 5 years of experience in Nutrition and most recently she has worked in Management in an Acute Setting. Kristin has previously worked with helping patients achieve their health goals, and helping patients is really where her passion lies! In her free time, Kristin enjoys working on house renovations with her husband and spending time outdoors in Colorado with their dog, Gryffin!

Illinois

Aimee Jaremowicz, RD, LDN, CWCMS, FNKF

Aimee brings over 14 years of experience to Shield. In her role as a speaker for the National Kidney Foundation, she has educated both health care professionals and renal patients. She has also published and edited clinical research in peer-reviewed medical journals. Aimee enjoys cooking and traveling with family and friends, and caring for her beagle, Captain Kirk.

Ohio

Veronica Liebchen, RD, LD

Prior to becoming a dietitian, Veronica was a preschool teacher and childcare director, and holds a Child Development Accreditation. Veronica earned her B.A. in Sociology and B.S. in Dietetics from the University of Akron, graduating from the Coordinated Program in Dietetics as Speaker of the College of Health Professions.

Texas

Amanda Guerra, MS, RD, LD

Amanda started with Shield Healthcare in 2018. She brings a variety of clinical experience in inpatient and outpatient in both pediatric and adult populations. Amanda graduated from Texas A&M University College Station with a Bachelor of Science in Nutrition and a Master of Science in Nutrition and Dietetics from Texas Tech University. In her spare time, she enjoys walking with her 2 dogs, movies, and spending her time with her husband and daughter.

Lindsay Palmer, MS, RD, LD

Lindsay started with Shield Healthcare in 2018 bringing extensive clinical experience in both the pediatric and adult populations. With a passion for health and food, she completed her Bachelors of Science degree in Nutrition at Texas State University and went on to complete her dietetic internship and Master’s in Nutrition at the University of Central Oklahoma. When Lindsay isn’t focusing on nutrition, you can find her at a group exercise classes, reading a book, or traveling!

Lisa Plinario RD, LD, CWMS

Lisa started her career at  Shield in August 2014. She brings her various clinical experiences from Medical City hospitals in Dallas and Arlington, TX including 7 years practice in pediatrics,  5 years as diabetes educator, and  as outpatient educator for pediatric weight management program and adult transplant. She graduated from Stephen F. Austin with a bachelor of Science in Home Economics/Nutrition as well as  minoring in Chemistry and Biology. In her spare time, she enjoys running, walking her 2 dogs and spending time with her husband and 2 boys.

Sheila J. Mihalik, RD, LD 

Sheila graduated from the University of Houston and has been practicing dietetics for 20 years. She has gained experience in oncology, long term nutrition support and Early Childhood Intervention. Her passion is working with medically fragile children.

Washington

Nicole Gioiosa, RD, CD

Nicole brings clinical experience from working in outpatient pediatric GI clinics. She received her Bachelor of Science degree in Nutrition from the University of Tennessee, Knoxville and went on to complete her dietetic internship at Meredith College in Raleigh, NC. In her free time, she spends time with her 3 dogs and cat, traveling, watching a new series, or trying new gluten free foods.

For more information about Shield HealthCare’s nutrition community, click here.