Oncology Nutrition

North Star Lodge dietitians become Board-Certified in Oncology Nutrition

Two dietitians at Memorial’s North Star Lodge Cancer Center have achieved Board Certification as specialists in Oncology Nutrition. They are two of only eight specialists in the state of Washington to have this qualification. Dietary Specialists Lena Gill and Carli Hill successfully met the rigorous specialty practice requirements and passed a nationally administered examination from the Commission on Dietetic Registration (CDR), the credentialing agency for the American Dietitian Association (ADA).

“Nutrition plays a critical role in the fight against cancer,” says Mary Marsh, Director of North Star Lodge. “Eating the right kinds of foods before, during, and after treatment can help patients feel better and stay stronger. We are fortunate to have Lena and Carli, with their knowledge and expertise of oncology nutrition, treating our patients here at North Start Lodge.”

Gill has been at North Star Lodge for almost four years and has worked in nutrition for 10 years. Hill has been at North Star and worked in nutrition for almost three years. For many patients, the side effects of cancer and cancer treatments make it difficult to eat well. Appetite, taste, smell, and the ability to eat enough food or absorb the nutrients from food may be affected. Dietitians specializing in Oncology Nutrition can develop nutrition therapies to help cancer patients get the nutrients needed to maintain body weight and strength, prevent body tissue from breaking down, rebuild tissue, and help fight infection. According to the National Cancer Institute, being well-nourished has been linked to a better prognosis (chance of recovery) in cancer patients.

Both Gill and Hill see patients at North Star on a referral basis as well as for nutrition risk screenings.