Crystal Barrows, RD
Gilbert
Summary
Dynamic Nutrition Specialist with extensive experience at Arizona Kidney Disease and Hypertension Center, excelling in medical nutrition therapy and patient education. Proven ability to enhance chronic disease management through effective dietary planning and team collaboration, empowering patients to achieve their health goals and improve their quality of life.
Overview
23
23
years of professional experience
Work History
Nutrition Specialist, Intern & Recruitment Coordinator
AM Nutrition Services
10.2020 - Current
- Provide medical nutrition therapy to patients, enhancing their dietary management and health outcomes.
- AM Nutrition Services DSMES educator.
- Strengthened AM Nutrition Services communication by creating and distributing monthly newsletter detailing events.
- Coordinated intern rotations with AM Nutrition Services, streamlining scheduling and orientation processes.
Senior Renal Dietitian/ Nutrition Lead
Arizona Kidney Disease and Hypertension Center
04.2007 - 03.2020
- Provided medical nutrition therapy (MNT) and education on chronic kidney disease (CKD) to staff and patients, focusing on preserving kidney function and delaying dialysis
- Conducted Kidney Success classes for stage 5 CKD patients, facilitating their transition from pre-dialysis dietary guidelines to dialysis nutritional needs
- Conduct Kidney Beginnings classes, to help improve awareness among patients diagnosed with CKD
- Supervised and directed activities for registered dietitians to ensure effective patient care
- Ensures Registered Dietitians are providing appropriate standards of patient care in accordance with the organization's policies and applicable laws
- Actively participated in patient medical team discussions to promote healthy lifestyle changes
- Interviewed, hired, and trained employees; planned and assigned RD schedules; directed work; appraised performance; rewarded and disciplined employees; addressed complaints; resolved issues.
- Travel to several different sites to provide nutrition education to CKD patients
Nutrition/ Weight Loss Specialist
Cigna Healthy Steps to Weight Loss 90 day Program
03.2011 - 06.2011
- Motivated and educated clients on healthy eating and lifestyle practices to achieve long-term weight loss goals
- Developed personalized meal plans to support participants' dietary needs and goals.
- Conducted individualized assessments to guide participants in weight loss strategies.
- Conducted grocery store visits to provide clients with practical shopping strategies for weight loss and healthy living
- Facilitated group sessions promoting healthy lifestyle changes among participants.
Nutrition Coach
Lifetime Fitness
12.2006 - 04.2007
- Coordinated team weight loss program for groups of 15+ clients, providing guidance and support to help achieve health and weight loss goals.
- Delivered personalized weight management education to clients, addressing specific needs to enhance their weight loss journey.
- Developed personalized nutrition plans for diverse client needs.
- Conducted one-on-one coaching sessions to enhance client engagement.
- Educated clients on healthy eating habits and lifestyle changes.
Clinical Dietitian
Sun Health Banner Boswell Rehabilitation Center
09.2005 - 04.2007
- Administered medical nutrition therapy in clinical settings, including enteral and parenteral nutrition support.
- Provided therapeutic diet education tailored to needs of chronic and acute illnesses, enhancing patient understanding and adherence.
- Ability to assess, plan, coordinate, and document patients nutritional care in a timely and ongoing manner to ensure dietary progression complying with regulatory agency protocols
- Reviewed nutritional parameters and intervened in collaboration with medical team
- Implemented and maintained patient care strategies that improved satisfaction and dietary compliance.
- Participate in Patient Care Conference Meeting once a week with other medical staff, patient, family, etc to discuss overall medical status as well as future medical plans
- Conducted in-service classes on special dietary needs for diet technicians and representatives, fostering knowledge transfer and improving patient care.
Diet Technician- Clinical
Scottsdale Healthcare
Scottsdale
09.2002 - 04.2004
- Assess individual patient needs and nutritional status for patients in clinical setting with various diagnoses, disease management and recovery from surgical procedures or illness
- Developed and implemented nutrition care plans, supervising patients and medical staff in utilizing on-site dietary options.
- Represented dietetic team on Rehab Unit, assessing and addressing patients' nutritional needs.
- Assessed educational needs, providing individualized nutrition education to patients and families.
- Ability to generate and review nutrition screening reports in a timely manner
Diet Representative- Food Service
Scottsdale Healthcare
Scottsdale
09.2002 - 03.2003
- Delivered supplemental nutrition to patients with deficiencies and illnesses, supporting their recovery and overall health
- Developed individualized menus and meals for patients with special nutritional needs, enhancing their dietary compliance and satisfaction
- Documented detailed therapeutic dietary needs in patient management system, ensuring accurate tracking and compliance with dietary protocols
Education
CDR Dietetic Internship Program -
University of Northern Colorado
Greeley, CO07.2005
B.S. - Nutrition and Food Science
New Mexico State University
Las Cruces, NM12.2001
Skills
- Nutritional assessment
- Nutrition therapy
- Dietary planning
- Health coaching
- Disease management
- Patient education
- Team collaboration
Volunteer Experience
Carl T. Hayden VA Medical Center, Phoenix, AZ, 2002, Assisted with menu planning and education planning.
References
Excellent References Available Upon Request
Licenses And Affiliations
- ACDES Association member, 2026
- Academy of Nutrition & Dietetics, 2024-2025
- National Kidney Foundation, 2024-2025
- Commission on Dietetic Registration, 10/06
- Northern Arizona Council on Renal Nutrition (NACRN), Participant in creating, reviewing and editing CRN 'Take Control' educational packet for renal/ pre-dialysis population.
Profile Of Qualifications
- Registered Dietitian certified through the Commission on Dietetic Registration
- Excellent interpersonal communication skills, with all age levels and diverse multi-cultural individuals. Coordinate well between management, colleagues, and client base.
- Expert in menu analysis, nutrition assessment, portion and recipe conversions, and tailoring to all specific dietary needs.
- Knowledgeable in human physiology and chemical formulations of foods with their resultant effects on health.
- Work well independently as well as part of a team. Able to learn quickly, as well as follow policy and procedure with quick adaptability to changing environments.
- Outstanding customer service skills, with over 30 years of experience.
- Computer skills and knowledge in MS Windows, Word, Power Point and Excel. Currently work with Office Ally Medical Charting.
Timeline
Nutrition Specialist, Intern & Recruitment Coordinator
AM Nutrition Services
10.2020 - Current
Nutrition/ Weight Loss Specialist
Cigna Healthy Steps to Weight Loss 90 day Program
03.2011 - 06.2011
Senior Renal Dietitian/ Nutrition Lead
Arizona Kidney Disease and Hypertension Center
04.2007 - 03.2020
Nutrition Coach
Lifetime Fitness
12.2006 - 04.2007
Clinical Dietitian
Sun Health Banner Boswell Rehabilitation Center
09.2005 - 04.2007
Diet Technician- Clinical
Scottsdale Healthcare
09.2002 - 04.2004
Diet Representative- Food Service
Scottsdale Healthcare
09.2002 - 03.2003
CDR Dietetic Internship Program -
University of Northern Colorado
B.S. - Nutrition and Food Science
New Mexico State University