Dietitians
Sydney Blakeslee, MS, RD
- Clinical Dietitian, Specialist I
Sydney Blakeslee, MS, RD
Locations
Languages
- English
Departments
Biography
Sydney Blakeslee, MS, RD, is a clinical dietitian at Children’s National Hospital. She completed a five-year combined bachelor and master of science program at D’Youville College in Buffalo, NY. Sydney obtained her Bachelor of Science and Master of Science degree in dietetics in May of 2019. She became a registered dietitian in July of 2019. Sydney started her career at Children’s National in September 2019. Currently, she is the full-time outpatient clinical dietitian.
Her interests lie in pediatric weight management and promoting optimal nutritional health. She is currently a member of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics (AND). Sydney hopes to one day be a board-certified specialist in pediatric nutrition, and also certified in childhood and adolescent weight management. She looks forward to continuing and expanding her knowledge in all areas of pediatric nutrition.
Christy Bock, MS, RDN, CSOWM, LDN/LD
- Lead Outpatient Dietitian, Expert
Christy Bock, MS, RDN, CSOWM, LDN/LD
Locations
Languages
- English
Departments
Biography
Christy Bock, MS, RDN, CSOWM, LDN/LD, is committed to uplifting families and children to achieve their health goals in the multidisciplinary Improving Diet, Energy and Activity of Life (IDEAL) Weight Management Clinic and the Surgical Bariatric Nutrition Program. She is board certified as an interdisciplinary specialist in obesity and weight management by the Commission on Dietetic Registration. She is an experienced pediatric dietitian in private practice, federally qualified healthcare centers and large-scale hospital systems.
Samantha Bovino, MPH, RDN, LDN
- Clinical Dietitian
Samantha Bovino, MPH, RDN, LDN
Locations
Languages
- English
Departments
Biography
Samantha Bovino, MPH, RDN, LDN, is a pediatric dietitian supporting the General Medicine, Neurology and Genetics & Metabolism services at Children’s National Hospital. She is a part of the Inherited Metabolic Disorders Program, serving as the inpatient metabolic dietitian for the children who must follow a special metabolic diet. Following the completion of her undergraduate, didactic coursework at The University of Texas at Austin, she earned a master of public health and completed her dietetic internship at The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston (UTHealth). She was selected as a Baylor College of Medicine neonatal nutrition fellow in 2023 where she completed her training at Texas Children’s Hospital. She is currently a member of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics and American Society for Parenteral and Enteral Nutrition.
Suzanne Bruels, MPH, RD, LD
- Clinical Dietitian, Expert
Suzanne Bruels, MPH, RD, LD
Locations
Languages
- English
Departments
Biography
Suzanne (aka Suzie) Bruels, MPH, RD, LD, is an outpatient dietitian working at Children’s National in the Special Immunology clinic working with patients who are living with HIV. She completed her bachelor's degree in food science and nutrition from Central Washington University in Ellensburg, Wa and her dietetic internship at Oregon Health and Science University in Portland, Or. Suzie has a diverse background of work experiences including working as a WIC dietitian and lactation counselor, serving as a Peace Corps volunteer, working with patients living with HIV and five years of overseeing a community kitchen that makes meals from scratch for kids and seniors in need. Recently, Suzie received her Master of Public Health degree from Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health.
Abriana Cain, MS, RD, LD
- Clinical Dietitian
Abriana Cain, MS, RD, LD
Locations
Languages
- English
Departments
- Clinical Nutrition Services
- Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition
- Growth Program for Inflammatory Bowel Diseases
Biography
Abriana Cain, MS, RD, LD is an outpatient pediatric dietitian at Children’s National Hospital who currently specializes in gastroenterology. She completed a five-year combined Bachelor and Master of Science program at The Pennsylvania State University in 2022 and then went on to complete a dietetic internship at the National Institutes of Health (NIH) which included a rotation at Children’s National Rare Disease Institute in 2023. She is currently a member of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics (AND).
Kathryn Cosco, RD
- Clinical Dietitian I
Kathryn Cosco, RD
Languages
- English
Departments
Biography
Katie Cosco, RD, LDN, is a clinical dietitian for the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU) and Complex Care Program. She earned her BS in nutrition from Syracuse University in 2018 and went on to complete her dietetic internship through the Virginia/Maryland WIC program. Prior to working at Children’s National, Katie worked with many mothers and families as a dietitian with the Virginia WIC program. She is an active member of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics.
Tasmine Cullen, MPH, RDN
- Clinical Dietitian
Tasmine Cullen, MPH, RDN
Locations
Languages
- English
Departments
- Blood Disorders (Hematology)
- Blood and Marrow Transplantation
- Oncology
- Pediatric Bone Marrow Transplantation for Metabolic and Immune Disorders
Biography
Tasmine Cullen, MPH, RDN is an outpatient dietitian covering hematology/oncology services. She completed her undergraduate degree at American University with a BA in Public Health in 2019. She earned her MPH in Nutrition and Dietetics from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill in 2024.
Sarah Davis, RD, CNSC, CSP, LD
- Clinical Dietitian, Expert
Sarah Davis, RD, CNSC, CSP, LD
Locations
Languages
- English
Departments
Biography
Sarah Davis, RD, CNSC, CSP, LD, completed undergraduate training at Missouri State University with a degree in Health Sciences and Nutrition and later completed her didactic requirements at Fontbonne University. Sarah completed her Dietetics Internship at St. Louis University. After completing her dietetic internship at St. Louis University, Sarah started her career with the adult cardiac population at Barnes Jewish Hospital in St. Louis. In 2012, she moved to the Washington, D.C., area and began working in general pediatrics and gastroenterology at Children’s National. She transitioned back to the cardiac population in 2014 and has found her passion working in the cardiac ICU. She has a special interest in the single ventricle population and is the primary RD for the home monitoring program as well as a member of the feeding work group with NPC-QIC (National Pediatric Cardiology Quality Improvement Collaborative). She is also a member of the PCICS (Pediatric Cardiac Intensive Care Society) nutrition group.
Ellen Druebbisch, MPH, RDN
- Clinical Dietitian
Ellen Druebbisch, MPH, RDN
Locations
Languages
- English
Departments
- Blood and Marrow Transplantation
- Clinical Nutrition Services
- Pediatric Bone Marrow Transplantation for Metabolic and Immune Disorders
Biography
Ellen Druebbisch, MPH, RDN, is part of the inpatient Bone Marrow Transplant team and a general pediatrics team at Children’s National Hospital. She earned her B.S. in biomedical science at the University of Lynchburg in 2021. She then completed a coordinated program at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and earned her master of public health in nutrition and dietetics in 2023.
Emily Frymark, MS, RDN, LDN
- Clinical Dietitian, Specialist I
Emily Frymark, MS, RDN, LDN
Locations
Languages
- English
Departments
Biography
Emily Frymark, MS, RDN, LDN, works with the Endocrinology and Diabetes team for Children’s National Medical Center. She earned both her Bachelor of Science in Food and Nutrition (2015) and her Master of Science in Rural Nutrition (2021) with Appalachian State University in Boone, NC. She completed her Dietetic internship in conjunction with her Master’s degree in Raleigh, NC. Prior to working with CNMC, Emily worked in an outpatient eating disorder clinic with focus on Intuitive Eating and Health at Every Size. She is currently a member of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics (AND).
Elizabeth Haracz, MS, RD
- Clinical Dietician
Elizabeth Haracz, MS, RD
Locations
Languages
- English
Departments
Biography
- Elizabeth Haracz, MS, RD, is an inpatient dietitian at Children’s National Hospital, covering the hematology/oncology and chemotherapy services. She completed her undergraduate degree at Virginia Tech with a BS in Human Nutrition, Foods, and Exercise. She then completed a combined M.S. in Nutrition Sciences and Dietetic Internship from The University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB). She also completed a traineeship at the Pediatric Pulmonary Center (PPC) at UAB. Elizabeth is a member of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics (AND).
Laura Hashiguchi, RD, LD, CSP
- Lead Inpatient Dietitian, Expert
Laura Hashiguchi, RD, LD, CSP
Locations
Languages
- English
Departments
Biography
Laura Hashiguchi, RD, LD, CSP, graduated with her B.S. in dietetics from James Madison University and completed Sodexo’s Philadelphia dietetic internship with a pediatric emphasis. Laura has worked at Children’s National Hospital since 2014 and during this time covered a wide variety of patient populations both inpatient and outpatient. Laura obtained her board certification as specialist in pediatric nutrition in 2021. Laura works in the Cardiac Intensive Care Unit and also serves as inpatient lead dietitian.
Lauren Miller
- Clinical Dietitian
Lauren Miller
Locations
Languages
- English
Departments
Biography
- Lauren Miller, MS, RDN, LDN, is a clinical dietitian for the inpatient gastrointestinal, intestinal rehabilitation, and surgery departments at Children’s National Hospital. She earned her Bachelor of Science in Nutrition & Dietetics at the University of New Hampshire in 2022. She completed her didactic requirements through the Sodexo-University of Rhode Island graduate program where she earned her Master of Science in Dietetics in 2023.
Mackenzie Morgan, MPH, RD, CSPCC, LD
- Clinical Dietitian, Specialist I
Mackenzie Morgan, MPH, RD, CSPCC, LD
Locations
Languages
- English
Departments
Biography
Mackenzie Morgan, MPH, RD, CSPCC, LD, is a dietitian in the NICU at Children’s National. She completed a B.S. in Health Sciences at Clemson University in 2016 followed by a coordinated MPH/RD program at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill in 2019.
Hannah Nua, MS, RD
- Clinical Dietitian, Specialist I
Hannah Nua, MS, RD
Locations
Languages
- English
Departments
Biography
Hannah Nua, MS, RD, is a dietitian covering the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU) and Bone Marrow Transplant (BMT) unit. She earned a BS, in exercise science at California Lutheran University and went on to earn a MS, in nutrition and dietetics and complete her dietetic internship requirements through the coordinated program at Loma Linda University.
Alyssa O'Doherty, MS, RD, LD, CLC, CNSC
- Inpatient Lead Dietitian
Alyssa O'Doherty, MS, RD, LD, CLC, CNSC
Locations
Languages
- English
Departments
Biography
Alyssa O'Doherty, MS, RD, LD, CLC, CNSC, graduated with her B.S. (2013) and M.S. (2015) from the University of Mississippi. She is an involved member of the American Society for Parenteral and Enteral Nutrition (ASPEN) and the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics (AND). She is a board-certified Nutrition Support Clinician (CNSC) and a Certified Lactation Counselor (CLC). Alyssa has worked at Children’s National Hospital since 2020. She primarily works in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, where she serves as the formula lab dietitian and one of the inpatient lead dietitians.
Lauren Pavone, MS, RD
- Clinical Dietitian, Specialist I
Lauren Pavone, MS, RD
Locations
Languages
- English
Departments
- Clinical Nutrition Services
- Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition
- Growth Program for Inflammatory Bowel Diseases
Biography
- Lauren Pavone, MS, RD, is an outpatient clinical dietitian specializing in the care of pediatric patients with gastrointestinal diseases and disorders, and subspecializing in the nutritional and dietary assessment and management of children and adolescents with inflammatory bowel disease (e.g. Crohn's disease, ulcerative colitis). She completed her didactic training and master's degree in nutritional sciences at the University of Maryland, and her dietetic internship at Virginia Commonwealth University Medical Center. Her clinical interests also include the nutritional management and support of patients with irritable bowel syndrome, food allergies/intolerances and growth concerns.
Nicole Potolicchio, RD, CSP, LD
- Clinical Nutrition Manager
Nicole Potolicchio, RD, CSP, LD
Locations
Languages
- English
Departments
Biography
- Nikki Potolicchio, RD, CSP, LD, completed undergraduate training at the College of the Holy Cross with a degree in Psychology and later completed her didactic requirements as well as a Dietetics Internship at the University of Maryland. She started her career at Children’s National Hospital in 2014 in the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU) and Bone Marrow Transplant (BMT) unit. She worked in those departments for 8.5 years. Nikki became the Inpatient Lead Dietitian in 2020 and then became the Clinical Nutrition Manger in 2023.
Sara Preisendanz, MS, RD, LD
- Clinical Dietitian, Expert
Sara Preisendanz, MS, RD, LD
Locations
Languages
- English
Departments
Biography
Sara Preisendanz, MS, RD, LD, undergraduate training at Clarkson University with a degree in biomolecular science and later fulfilled didactic requirements at New York University. She completed her Dietetic Internship and earned her Master’s Degree in Nutrition from Texas Woman’s University. As a clinical dietitian she has worked in ICU, renal and liver transplant, oncology, bariatrics, genetics and many others. Currently, she provides nutrition assessment & education for families of children with intractable seizures or inborn errors of metabolism requiring ketogenic diets. She enjoys problem solving and developing achievable diet plans and goals for families of children with complicated nutrition needs.
Kelsey Riemenschneider, RD, CNSC
- Clinical Dietitian
Kelsey Riemenschneider, RD, CNSC
Locations
Languages
- English
Departments
Biography
Kelsey Riemenschneider, RD, CNSC works with the Cardiology team for Children’s National Hospital. She completed her BS in Dietetics at Iowa State University in 2021 and is currently completing her M.S. in Clinical Nutrition online at the University of Alabama. She is a board-certified nutrition support clinician.
Sabrina Riordan, RDN, LDN
- Clinical Dietitian
Sabrina Riordan, RDN, LDN
Locations
Languages
- English
Departments
- Clinical Nutrition Services
- Cardiac Neurodevelopmental Outcome Program
- Diabetes Program (Childhood and Adolescent)
- Neuromuscular Medicine Program
- IDEAL Clinic
Biography
Sabrina Riordan, RDN, LDN, is a clinical outpatient dietitian at Children’s National Hospital working in diabetes, IDEAL, muscular dystrophy, and CANDO clinics. She earned her Bachelor of Science in nutrition and food science with a concentration in Dietetics from University of Maryland, College Park. She then went on to complete her dietetic internship at University of Virginia Health System, which specialized in pediatrics and nutrition support. Sabrina is also a member of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics (AND) and the Maryland Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics (MAND).
Sarah Roberts, MS, RDN, LDN
- Clinical Dietitian
Sarah Roberts, MS, RDN, LDN
Locations
Languages
- English
Departments
Biography
Sarah Roberts, MS, RDN, LDN, works with the Endocrinology and Diabetes team for Children’s National Hospital. She went to the University of South Carolina and earned a bachelor of science degree in exercise sciences in 2018. She went on to earn her master of science degree in nutrition and completed her Dietetic Internship through Boston University’s combined DPD/MS/DI program in 2022. She is currently a member of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics (AND).
Lara Sattgast, PhD, RD, LD
- Clinical Dietitian
Lara Sattgast, PhD, RD, LD
Locations
Languages
- English
Departments
Biography
Lara Sattgast, PhD, RD, LD Is a pediatric dietitian covering the Rehabilitation & Specialized Care facility at Bunker Hill Road. She received her PhD in Nutrition from Oregon State University and completed her dietetic internship at the National Institutes of Health (NIH). She is a member of the American Society of Nutrition (ASN) and Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics (AND).
Sami Schug , MS, RD, CSPCC, LD
- Clinical Dietitian, Expert
Sami Schug , MS, RD, CSPCC, LD
Locations
Languages
- English
Departments
Biography
Sami Schug, MS, RD, CSPCC, LD is a registered dietitian nutritionist and certified specialist in pediatric critical care nutrition for the pediatric intensive care unit and PHAST service at Children’s National. She completed her master’s degree in health sciences at George Washington University, undergraduate degree at University of Delaware and dietetic training at Penn State University. With over 6 years of experience in pediatric clinical nutrition, Sami enjoys creating personalized nutrition plans for medically complex patients requiring enteral and parenteral nutrition support.
Rebecca Scothorn, MPH, RDN
- Clinical Dietitian, Specialist I
Rebecca Scothorn, MPH, RDN
Languages
- English
Departments
Biography
Rebecca Scothorn, MPH, RDN is an outpatient intestinal rehabilitation dietitian at Children’s National Hospital. She completed both her undergraduate and graduate degrees at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill; earning a BSPH in Nutrition Science and Research and an MPH in Nutrition and Dietetics from the UNC Gillings School of Global Public Health.
Kristen Sgambat, PhD, RD
- Clinical Assistant Professor
Kristen Sgambat, PhD, RD
Locations
Languages
- English
Departments
Biography
Kristen Sgambat, PhD, RD, is a registered dietitian nutritionist and has provided medical nutrition therapy to children with kidney disease at Children’s National Hospital since 2002. She received her PhD in nutrition from the University of Maryland and is currently a Clinical Assistant Professor in the Division of Nephrology. Her studies have focused on cardiovascular outcomes in children with CKD and after kidney transplant, as well as effects of carnitine supplementation on cardiovascular function in children receiving HD and CRRT.
Catherine Slomka, MS, RD, LD
- Clinical Dietitian, Expert
Catherine Slomka, MS, RD, LD
Locations
Languages
- English
Departments
- Catherine Slomka, MS, RD, LD is an outpatient dietitian in the Adolescent Medicine Division, specializing in Eating Disorders. She completed her masters degree and dietetic internship at Loma Linda University. Catherine is a former professor for Point Loma Nazarene University and is also a member of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics.
Samantha Sycalik, MS, RDN, LDN
- Clinical Dietitian
Samantha Sycalik, MS, RDN, LDN
Locations
Languages
- English
Departments
Biography
Samantha Sycalik, MS, RDN, LDN, is a clinical dietitian for the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit at Children’s National. She earned her Bachelor’s of Science in Nutrition & Dietetics at the University of Maryland in 2023. She then completed her didactic requirements through the Sodexo-University of Rhode Island future education model graduate program where she earned her Master’s of Science in Dietetics in 2024.
Siobhan Vogel, MS, RD, LD
- Clinical Dietitian, Expert
Siobhan Vogel, MS, RD, LD
Locations
Languages
- English
Departments
Biography
Siobhan Vogel, MS, RD, LD, completed undergraduate training at the University of South Carolina with a degree in exercise science and later completed her didactic requirements at Winthrop University. Siobhan completed her Dietetics Internship at Winthrop University. In 2015 she completed a Master of Science in Human Nutrition through Northeastern University. She is working towards her Doctorate in Clinical Nutrition through Kansas University. Siobhan covers many services at Children’s National, including Cardiac ICU, renal, trauma/burn, GI/IR, neurosurgery, NICU, CANDO, ketogenic diet, and also telehealth. Siobhan has worked to implement several nutrition protocols at Children’s National, including a protocol for refeeding, idiopathic intracranial hypertension and feeding in the Cardiac ICU.
Alyssa Wassil, MS, RD, LDN
- Pediatric Dietitian, Specialist I
Alyssa Wassil, MS, RD, LDN
Locations
Languages
- English
Departments
Biography
Alyssa Wassil, MS, RD, LDN is a dietitian for the IDEAL weight management and bariatric surgery clinic at Children’s National. She received their undergraduate degree in Psychology from North Carolina State University and later received their master’s degree in nutrition from Meredith College. She went on to complete their dietetic internship through Lenoir-Rhyne University. Alyssa has previous experience working with families through the North Carolina and Virginia WIC programs.
Rebecca Wilson, RD, CSP, CLC, LD
- Clinical Dietitian, Specialist II
Rebecca Wilson, RD, CSP, CLC, LD
Locations
Languages
- English
Departments
Biography
Rebecca Wilson, RD, CSP, CLC, LD, is a registered dietitian in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) at Children’s National Hospital. Before her current role, she supported many different programs at Children's National, including inpatient adolescent medicine/eating disorders, pulmonary medicine, academic/hospitalist medicine, adolescent and child psychiatry services, general nutrition, the Cardiac Neurodevelopmental Outcome Program, and the IDEAL Clinic and bariatric surgery outpatient clinics. She completed her bachelor’s degree in Food and Nutrition from the University of Alabama in 2017 and then completed her dietetic internship at the University of Maryland, College Park in 2018. She is a certified specialist in pediatric nutrition (CSP) and a certified lactation consultant (CLC), and has obtained certification in Childhood and Adolescent Weight Management.
Allison Wiseman, RD, CDE, LD
- Clinical Dietitian, Expert
Allison Wiseman, RD, CDE, LD
Locations
Languages
- English
Departments
Biography
Allison Wiseman, RD, CDE, LD, is a clinical dietitian in the Cystic Fibrosis Clinic. She has been at Children’s National Hospital since 2012. She completed her undergraduate degree in nutrition sciences at Syracuse University. She completed her dietetic internship at New York Presbyterian. She is a Certified Diabetes Educator and has worked alongside the Diabetes team to open the Cystic Fibrosis Related Diabetes Clinic. She continues to research the correlation between blood glucose control and lung function.