Mira Kvame: Columbia County Health System
Diets or Healthy Lifestyles?
Diet? Dietician? Both those words can be scary to anyone. To our Dietitian, Jody Martin, "diet" could mean a lot of different things. Losing weight is only one of the many therapeutic programs providers refer patients to Jody for consultations. Some of those many diet variations include low sodium, diabetic, high protein and cardiovascular. As a consultant to the CCHS Kitchen, which serves 35+ residents and inpatients three times a day, seven days a week, Jody works with the Kitchen Staff to create a variety of required meals and realizes the seriousness of "getting it right". She's been impressed with the kitchen staff for not only insuring food safety, but also for making appetizing and visually stimulating meals.
Jody's consults help give residents and patients individualized plans that take into account personal likes and dislikes, minimizing the amount of change, and increasing the chances of success. She is an advocate of healthy eating and does not advocate fad diets. Ultimately she believes it is all about the individual and what he can maintain. Jody's approach is non-threatening and is not overwhelming. She knows how successful a person will be if he is confident he can make behavior changes and let no barriers stop him from changing. If the person is not confident, Jody works with him to build a knowledge-based belief that they can do this. If successful, she is helping people make a change that leads them to feel in control.
Jody meets weekly with the Booker Rest Home Interdisciplinary Team to review residents. Items she reviews for improvement are severe weight loss/gain, bed sore prevention, skin status, fluid retention, constipation, swallowing problems, provider care plan compliancy and residents' personal overall health. Her passion for helping people stems from her grandmother dying from complications of diabetes and her own personal battles with weight as a youngster.
Through CCHS, Jody has been an advocate for wellness in both the schools and community. She is now in her second year helping to make our community the "Healthiest" in the state of Washington. Jody is passionate about teaching in the schools to encourage kids to become advocates for health as she watches adult obesity rise above 20% in Washington State. Another focus is to help adults become good role models for activities and family wellness. So, if your provider refers you to a dietician, be happy! You just might get Jody!
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