We know seeing a dietitian means different things to different people. You could be training for a marathon, managing diabetes, or trying to lose weight.
One thing that’s common to all of those? The need to be comfortable with who you’re talking to.
Catalyst Nutrition and Training is different here in the Wyoming Valley. We’re a private dietitian practice with our own philosophy and strategies for helping patients.
That’s why we’ve been featuring Q&As with our dietitians lately: to help everyone better understand our team’s unique, personalized, educational approach to nutrition.
Last month, we featured a Q&A with our founder and CEO, Brooke Evans, MS, RDN, LDN.
Today, we’re hearing from another tireless member of the Catalyst team, Kelsey Banfield, MS, RDN, LDN!
1. Why did you become a registered dietitian?
I wanted to become a registered dietitian because I am passionate about food, health, and helping others improve their health. And there is no better way to serve others than by impacting such a large aspect of both wellness and life: food and nutrition!
Also, I love talking with people and getting to know them—and I don’t know of any other profession that would let me chat with people all day for as long as I do!
2. Why did you pursue a master’s degree in nutrition and dietetics?
I pursued my Master of Science in Nutrition and Dietetics with a focus on health promotion and wellness because I knew I desired to contribute to the health of my community.
I also wanted to be equipped with the knowledge and skills to promote healthy behaviors, advocate for positive and healthful changes, and empower individuals to make informed decisions about their health, prevent chronic diseases, and improve their overall well-being.
3. Why do you like working for a private practice as opposed to a large network?
There are countless differences between private practice groups and large-scale healthcare networks, but I would say that I have personally enjoyed the greater flexibility and job specialization within the workplace that this job has afforded me.
That flexibility also benefits our patients by allowing us to have more availability with scheduling and more personalized patient care.
Also, the smaller patient load lets us spend more time with our patients and have continuity of care, so that we can build rapport and trust with our patients and really get to KNOW them.
4. What do you like about providing nutrition services in Northeastern Pennsylvania?
I was born and raised in NEPA, so, naturally, I have desired to give back to my community as I began my career.
This practice allows me to collaborate and partner with other area healthcare professionals to provide nutrition education and counseling and connect with members of my own community.
I particularly enjoy participating in community events and health fairs and presenting at organizations like the local YMCAs to interact with and educate those in our own hometowns.
5. What do you want to achieve for your patients at Catalyst Nutrition and Training?
My main goal for all of my patients is for them to be healthy and feel good. How they feel in relation to their goal is much more important to me than any number on a scale, metric of body composition, or other numerical value that is often focused on.
When a patient has successfully implemented diet and lifestyle interventions and has accomplished desirable labs, managed or improved their health conditions/symptoms, or just simply feels more energized, happy, healthy, comfortable, and confident in their body, then they have achieved exactly what I have desired for them.
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