Caitlyn草地, registered dietitian in the Rose Bove LaRose Cancer Center at 戴金宝医院 in Putnam, has been named employee of the month for July by Day Kimball医疗保健 (DKH).

Sward began her career as a certified registered dietitian/registered dietitian nutritionist at 戴金宝医院 in 2019 after graduating with a bachelor’s of science in dietetics from the University of 康涅狄格.

在她的角色中, Sward is responsible for providing nutrition counseling to cancer patients in the hematology/oncology department. 今年早些时候, she obtained her Cancer Exercise Specialist certification and looks forward to providing exercise recommendations and personal training to patients receiving active treatment and those in remission. Sward also oversees Caitlyn’s Cupboard, a hospital-based food pantry she established in March of 2020 to address malnutrition and food insecurity among patients treated in DKH’s Cancer Center.

According to Sward’s supervisor, Jayme Dandeneau, RN, BSN, oncology nurse navigator in the Rose Bove LaRose Cancer Center at 戴金宝医院, “Caitlyn is a breath of fresh air and her courtesy towards her colleagues and patients is contagious. She meets every day and every cancer patient with enthusiasm and respect. She provides excellent patient care and helps patients overcome barriers all with a positive attitude. Caitlyn is an employee who elevates the department and is incredibly deserving of this award.”

In response to being named employee of the month, 草地说, “I was quite surprised to be named Employee of the Month, 但也很兴奋! I have worked tirelessly to build this nutrition program and it’s wonderful for others to recognize my hard work.”

When asked what she likes most about her job, 她分享, “The tangible effect I can have on patients. In many positions throughout the field, dietitians are often left feeling like second-rate healthcare professionals. This job is different – not only does my role actively impact the course of treatment, but patients often want my expertise. A cancer diagnosis is overwhelming and sends people on a journey that they have limited control over; nutrition is one of the only things they still have autonomy over and it’s an amazing feeling to help empower patients to take back a bit of control in an otherwise overwhelming experience. It’s not just the patients that make this job enjoyable, but the people that I work with make me feel valued and knowledgeable. Being able to make a difference in the lives of patients while also being respected by your peers is something I could only dream of prior to getting this job.”

A Northeast 康涅狄格 native, Sward was born at 戴金宝医院 and currently resides in East Putnam. She is a member of the QVR Rotaract Club and is an American Council on Exercise (ACE) Certified Personal Trainer, ACE and CETI Certified Cancer Exercise Specialist, ACE青少年运动专家, and an NASM MMA Conditioning Specialist.

Sward is currently working towards becoming a Certified Nutrition Support Clinician and is pursuing board certification as a specialist in oncology nutrition. She also owns and operates Sward and Shield LLC, 在负担得起的, inclusive nutrition counseling and physical activity services are provided to those living in Northeast 康涅狄格.

Day Kimball医疗保健’s employee of the month program is sponsored by Foxwoods Resort Casino in Mashantucket, 康涅狄格. “The Mashantucket (Western) Pequot Tribal Nation and Foxwoods Resort Casino has been focused on taking care of the people that serve within our community, and we appreciate everything Day Kimball医疗保健 does,” said Foxwood’s Director of Sponsorships and Partnerships Roy Colebut-Ingram. “Supporting meaningful employee recognition programs like that at DKH is just one way that we feel we can express our appreciation.”

PHOTO CAPTION: Day Kimball医疗保健’s Employee of the Month for July 2021, Caitlyn草地, RDN, in the Rose Bove LaRose Cancer Center at 戴金宝医院 in Putnam, 康涅狄格.