Maria Daw, RDN, LDN
Health & Wellness through:
Food
Exercise
Mindful and Intuitive Eating
Balanced Life
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MY STORY
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After graduating from The University of Akron with a Bachelor of Science in Dietetics/Nutrition, my internship was completed in Georgia at multiple facilities in the Atlanta metro area.
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So many children grow up seeing family members taking medication or becoming hospitalized due to disease. I was one of those kids. As a result, disease prevention by helping individuals become their best self through diet, exercise, and lifestyle modifications has become my focus as a registered dietitian nutritionist (RDN).
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In practice, I use motivational interviewing during nutritional counseling and coaching to guide clients to set SMART goals to gradually become their best future self, and to have a positive relationship with food and their body. My approach is through the use of a non-diet, healthy and balanced eating approach with the use of mindful and intuitive eating. Mindfulness and intentionality are also encouraged to be used in other areas of life for stress reduction and a balanced life.
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When I’m enjoying downtime with my family, you can usually find me cooking up a favorite recipe or developing a new one, gardening (love having a herb garden), entertaining and playing games with friends, hiking or biking along the great trails in the area, being out in nature, or coming up with the next home project.
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EXPERIENCE
Jan. 2021-Present
Telehealth Registered Dietitian Nutritionist
Aug. 2020-April 2021
Contract Registered Dietitian Nutritionist
Sep. 2018-May 2019
Dietetic Internship
May 2012-Aug. 2014
Administrative Coordinator II
Sep. 2009-Oct. 2011
Records Manager
BE WELL SOLUTIONS, Solon, OH
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Review anthropometric and lab results with participants of health and wellness events
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Educate participants how to improve their measures with food and exercise
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SOUTHERN MARYLAND DIETITIAN, White Plains, MD
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Assess nutritional intake, physical activity, signs and symptoms, lab results.
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Educate clients on: how to improve their overall health with food and exercise; using mindfulness when eating and dealing with stress and anxiety; intuitive eating; MyPlate; importance of adequate fiber and water; lowering risk of disease.
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Through nutritional counseling and coaching, guide clients with the use of motivational interviewing to set SMART Goals to gradually become their best future self and to have a positive relationship with food and their body.
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Use of non-diet, healthy and balanced eating approach.
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Areas of focus: weight loss, healthier eating habits, food intolerance, women's health (including menopause, PCOS, fibromyalgia, reproductive health, infertility, weight management), thyroid dysfunction, GI health, disease prevention, and healthy aging.
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MORRISON HEALTHCARE, Georgia
Rotations included: Navicent Health and Wellness Center (Macon), Emory Decatur Hospital (Decatur), Lenbrook (Atlanta), Publix (Macon).
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Fulfilled 1,259 total internship hours.
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Focused primarily in oncology, endocrinology, and renal, including critical care and EN, as well as in an outpatient bariatric clinic.
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Counseled and educated individuals using developed hand-outs and PowerPoint presentations.
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Developed and led presentations on GMOs and healthy eating to silver sneakers/cancer survivors group.
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Developed and led grocery store tour to silver sneakers group.
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Led support groups for cancer, COPD, bariatric and weight loss groups with open discussion with various topics.
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Conducted case study research on NSCLC and presented to peers, preceptors, and internship director.
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Developed menus following dietary guidelines.
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Conducted audits on: healthy food options, FDA labeling compliance, and HACCP compliance.
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Recommended changes as result of Sustainability Audit that resulted in an initial savings of $2,600, not including food costs savings.
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CLEVELAND CLINIC, BLOOD & MARROW TRANSPLANT,
Cleveland, Ohio
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Scheduled appointments and procedures for patients and donors.
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Provided donor process education to donors.
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Effectively communicated with external facilities and physicians.
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Led monthly departmental quality control meetings along with team building exercises.
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Developed donor registration process and procedures for department.
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Supported staff of 22.
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OHIO DISTANCE and ELECTRONIC LEARNING ACADEMY (OHDELA) / WHITE HAT MANAGEMENT, Akron, Ohio
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Started as a temporary office assistant through OHDELA, then promoted to Records Manager with parent company, White Hat Management.
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Managed school records and transcripts for over 3,000 students.
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Managed immunization/health records and reported to state.
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April 2006-Aug. 2009
Owner/Operator
CREEKSIDE HOME TREASURES, Akron, Ohio
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Managed budgets, financials, purchasing, inventory, and sales
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Developed and managed marketing strategy, advertising materials and e-commerce website.
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Coordinated and managed monthly events with local artists.
EDUCATION
2014-2018
Bachelor of Science Degree
Graduated Magna Cum Laude
Cumulative GPA 3.76/4.0
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The University of Akron
College of Health Professions
Major: Dietetics/Nutrition
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2014
Associate of Science Degree
Graduated with High Distinction
Cumulative GPA 3.6/4.0
The University of Akron
College of Applied Science and Technology
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CURRENT AFFILIATIONS
2017 - Present
2015 - Present
2017 - Present
2017 - 2021
2017 - 2022
2019 - Present
2020 - Present
2021 - Present
Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics (AND)
- Diabetes Practice Group
- Renal Practice Group
- Pediatric Nutrition Practice Group
- Oncology Practice Group
- Women's Health Practice Group
- Weight Management
- Dietitians in Integrative & Functional Medicine
2015 - 2018; 2019 - Present
Ohio Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics (OAND)
WORK PHILOSOPHY
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Make a positive difference in someone's life.
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Think and look outside of the box.
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Put your best foot forward and do a great job.
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Take on initiative and responsibility.
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Lead by example and be your best self.
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Admit to and learn from your mistakes. No one is perfect.
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Continuously learn. Everything in life involves a learning process.
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Share your knowledge and passion for what you do when educating patients. It get's their attention to help them learn.
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Have an infectious, positive attitude in all that you do.
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Enjoy and love what you do in my personal life and career.
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Do not judge others. Be empathetic. You have no idea what people are going through.
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Have a good work-life balance.
SKILLS
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Critical thinking to integrate facts, informed opinions, active listening, and observations.
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Decision making, problem solving, and collaboration.
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Medical nutrition therapy for adults.
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Strong interpersonal skills to establish productive working relationships with interdisciplinary team.
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Communicate effectively in both written and verbal form to patients/clients, public, staff, and healthcare professionals.
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Educate and counsel patients on diets based on their unique needs.
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Assessment and diagnosis of malnutrition per ASPEN guidelines.
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Guide client in setting SMART goals and realizing potential barriers.
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Develop and give presentations and classes to groups of children and adults.
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Develop lesson plans and interactive activities for nutrition-based classes based on population.
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Develop teaching tools and handouts specific for audience.
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Develop menu/eating plan based on Dietary Guidelines.
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Perform nutritional analysis.
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Create recipes based on nutritional needs.
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Perform regulatory audits for quality control and safety of facility.
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Write HACCP plans for recipes.
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Conduct in-service opportunities and develop appropriate handouts for patient services and kitchen staff
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Experienced with Webtrition; Wix, GoDaddy; building online shopping cart; Zoom, GoTo; Microsoft Word, Excel, Access, PowerPoint; educating through FaceBook, Instagram
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Developing a start-up business and managing A/R, payroll, taxes, budgets, financial reports, purchasing, marketing materials, advertising, events
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WORK SAMPLES
Clinical Nutrition Skills
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Oncology Chart Note
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Cardiology Chart Note
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GI Surgery Chart Note
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Oncology Case Study Presentation
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Bariatric Surgery 2-Week Post-Op Follow-Up Education
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Long-Term Care In-Service
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Community Nutrition
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Community Education Presentation and Handout
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Food and Nutrition Within the Community Photo Project
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Grocery Store Tour (Summary, Flyer, Timeline, Handout, Recipe)
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GMO Presentation
Food Service Management
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7-Day Menu for Varied Diets
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3-Day Disaster Menu
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7-Day Menu
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Utensil-Free Menu and Nutritional Analysis
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Food Management Client Report
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Research
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Research Project Poster
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CERTIFICATIONS
May 6, 2020 - Aug. 31, 2021
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REGISTERED DIETITIAN (RD)
LICENSED DIETITIAN (LD) - Ohio
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LICENSED DIETITIAN (LD) - Maryland
June 18, 2020 - June 18, 2022
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Nov. 5, 2020 - Oct. 31, 2022
Feb. 7, 2017 - Feb. 7, 2022
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SERVSAFE FOOD PROTECTION MANAGER CERTIFICATION
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AWARDS AND HONORS
May 2018
May 2018
Greater Akron Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics (GAAND) Scholarship
EXL Center's Student-Community Partner Award
Oct. 2017
2017 Golden Key Chapter Scholarship
July 2017
YMCA CATCH Outstanding Volunteer Recognition
May 2017
2017 Student Dietetic Association Scholarship
COMMUNITY
June 2018-Dec. 2017
Volunteer Teacher/Food Preparer
Sep. 2017-Nov. 2017
Volunteer Research Data Collector
Oct. 2015-July 2016
Volunteer
Dec. 2015
Volunteer
June 2015-Aug. 2015
Volunteer Food Preparer/Server
AKRON YMCA, COORDINATED APPROACH TO CHILDHOOD HEALTH (CATCH) PROGRAM.
Taught kindergarten through fifth grade classes about food, nutrition and exercise. Developed age appropriate hands-on teaching tools and lesson plans. Prepared and served nutritious snacks to children in each class. Introduced children to new foods with taste testing and produce comparisons. Guided children on how to grow produce from produce scraps and seeds.
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THE UNIVERSITY OF AKRON, DIETETICS / NUTRITION PROGRAM, Akron, Ohio.
Documented data from dining establishments, as observed, on and surrounding The University of Akron campus for Healthy Campus Environmental Audits for the USDA 'Get Fruved' study being led by researchers at The University of Tennessee. The University of Akron was one of ninety college campuses participating in the study.
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THE UNIVERSITY OF AKRON, DIETETICS/NUTRITION PROGRAM, Akron, Ohio.
Volunteered in various areas.
Nutrition Center Kiosk Attendant (Oct. 2016-Nov. 2016)
Provided nutritious snacks to students and provided nutrition information upon receiving questions.
Children's Summer Garden Program Teacher (June 2016-July 2016)
Assisted teaching children about fresh fruits, vegetables and herbs while using learning tools to show how fresh produce ends up on our tables, and then providing a nutritious snack.
Fall Harvest Festival (Oct. 2015)
Assisted with festival set-up and directing participants to appropriate display table.
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AKRON CHILDREN'S HOSPITAL, HANDS ON HOLIDAY FUNDRAISER EVENT, Akron, Ohio.
Assisted with set-up and clean-up, as well as assisting patrons with children's activities various events.
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SALVATION ARMY, Akron, Ohio.
Prepared and cooked food for lunch service. Served patrons. Cleaned prep areas.