Nikita Baxi, Rd, Ld Email & Phone Number

Perrysburg, Ohio, United States

Performs as a member of the interdisciplinary team responsible for the design, coordination and implementation of optimal nutritional care and education of patients/clients in accordance with established standards of care. Perform complete nutritional assessments that include but are not limited to: Pertinent history and physical, diet history, anthropometrics, indications for bariatric surgery, patient readiness and barriers to success, and implications of bariatric surgical procedures.Provide nutrition and lifestyle related education, counseling, and support on an individual and group level.Participate in information sessions and classes that describe non-surgical procedures, identify risks and benefits of procedures, nutritional implications of surgical procedures, and define realistic expectations post operatively.Utilizes Nutrition Care Process as recommended by the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics and ASMBS guidelines, and in accordance with Mercy Health’s Standards of Care guidelines for Screening and Assessment. Adheres to practice standards established by local, state and national agencies.Provides nutrition counseling and/or education to patients and/or caregivers based on assessment of individual learning needs.Provides nutrition expertise to healthcare professionals in establishing standards of patient care by participating in clinical and interdisciplinary rounds, meetings, task forces and projects.Provides supervised learning experiences for dietetic interns when appropriate.Provides outpatient Medical Nutrition Therapy (MNT) services. Participates in performance improvement programs related to patient care and service. Maintains high level of competency and professional development related to nutrition trends, research, policy, certifications, and standards of practice.Participates in development of performance objectives with emphasis on an area of specialization as appropriate.

Toledo, Ohio Metropolitan Area

• Collaborates with members of the health care team to provide medical nutrition therapy.• Identifies patients at nutritional risk based on hospital policy.• Assesses nutritional needs and identifies nutrient requirements according to age and disease specific needs of patients.• Develops and implements the nutrition care plan for all assigned patients.• Fosters continuity of care among all phases across the continuum of care.• Continuously evaluates and monitors the effectiveness and outcomes of medical nutrition therapy interventions.• Provides nutrition education to patients and family members on appropriate food selections and eating behaviors to accomplish patient goals.• Participates in performance improvements activities.• Acts as a resource for dietetic technicians and mentors dietetic students.• Actively assesses, evaluates and maintains professional development and competencies.

Columbus, Ohio

- Initiated and provides complete nutritional care of inpatient and outpatients ensuring high-quality standards with current evidence-based practice- Completes nutrition screening and assessments according to established protocols to determine each patient’s specific nutrient needs- Monitors and calculates the nutrient intake of patients requested per physician- Provides patient educations regarding specific modified diets and normal nutrition- Serves as a consultant in response to nutrition-related inquiries from patients/caregivers and medical staff - Adept at assessing nutritional needs of complex care patients for enteral and parenteral nutrition- Experienced at modifying existing enteral nutrition plans for complex care patients

Columbus, Ohio Area

Providing patient centered nutrition care to 5+ Long Term Care Facilities in the throughout Ohio• Assess residents with multiple, complex, medical conditions per MDS schedule • Make nutritional recommendations based on weight/PO intake trends, lab values, medical history, and estimated energy calculations• Monitor weekly weights & nutritional status via Nutrition At Risk meetings• Complete all MDS paper/computer work, including customized Care Plans & CAAs for each resident• Perform monthly audits in the dietary department, such as Sanitation & Test Tray Audits to ensure proper food safety and sanitary practices are in place • Supervise Dietetic Technicians in nutritional assessments & high risk patients, such as those with skin conditions, tube feedings, significant weight changes, or on dialysis• Generate & perform in-services on various nutrition/sanitation procedures

Bluffton, Ohio

Lima Memorial Hospital, Fresenius Kidney Care, Dietary Solutions, Women’s Health for Life, Blanchard Valley Health Systems• Provided patient care for a variety of patients through utilization of the Nutrition Care Process• Calculated and implemented enteral and total parenteral nutrition for ventilated and non-ventilated patients• Collaborated extensively with interdisciplinary care team to meet nutrition needs of each patient• Developed educational handouts covering a variety of topics for facility use• Assessed and evaluated nutrition status of patients on hemodialysis and peritoneal dialysis through diet recall and laboratory review• Provided outpatient services for overweight, diabetic, and pregnant patients• Completed patient charting using a variety of electronic medical record systems including Cerner, Epic, Meditech and Point Click CareWIC, OSU Extension, Silver Sneakers, Area 3 Agency on Aging• Evaluated the nutritional status of all populations receiving WIC benefits• Created and provided nutrition education for mothers receiving WIC benefits • Created menus following the nutritional guidelines established for older adults• Counseled women, infants, children, senior citizens and adults regarding nutritional needs• Developed and presented two nutrition educational presentations to two groups of 50 adultsPatient Meal Services Blanchard Valley Health Systems, Institutional Food Service at Bluffton University, Lima City School Foodservice, Mennonite Disaster Services, Allen County Head Start• Audited patient meal trays through hospital quality assurance protocol• Planned and executed a themed meal for 400 college students• Performed Healthy & Safety and Food Safety audits through institutional foodservice quality assurance protocol• Reviewed current menu and made recommendations for improvement for offered school breakfast following federal guidelines

Columbus, Ohio Area

• Discussed food preferences with residents• Discussed resident diet needs with healthcare staff• Ensured food is served in a clean, healthy and pleasant way• Assisted with nutritious menu planning, meal service and clean up• Maintained diet records

Columbus, Ohio Area

​- Worked with USDA Summer Food Service Program sites (elementary schools) servicing children aged 1-18 years old to provide access to healthy breakfasts and lunches- Targeted children in grades K-5 to provide structured nutrition, physical education, mental health, and 4H programming to prevent unhealthy weight gain during the summer months​- Canvassed economically disadvantaged neighborhoods to recruit children to participate in the USDA Summer Food Service Program and Camp NERF educational activities- ​Assisted in the collection of baseline and post-intervention impact and outcomes data from 86 child/caregiver dyads- Collected daily process evaluation data to determine implementation feasibility and acceptability for future programmatic modifications and improvements

Columbus, Ohio Area

• Implement the CATH Kids Club Nutrition & Physical Activity Education Curriculum• Coordinate with program staff to adapt the curriculum to needs of the program• Develop informational materials designed to educate children about nutrition and physical activity• Collect and assemble program evaluation data

Dublin, Ohio

Columbus, Ohio Area

Dietetic Internship

Comprehensive internship program consisting of 1200+ hours of supervised practice in clinical nutrition therapy, foodservice management.

Bachelor’S Degree, Human Nutrition, Dietetics

Activities and Societies: Human Nutrition Forum, Global Nutrition Club, Student Dietetic Association

High School, 4.0 Gpa