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Meet the Clinical Nutrition Team

About Our Patient Satisfaction Scores

The Patient Rating score is an average of all responses to care provider related questions on our nationally-recognized Press Ganey Patient Satisfaction Survey.

Responses are measured on a scale of 1 to 5 with 5 being the best score.

Dietitians

  • Clinical Dietitian

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    English

    Biography

    Sydney Antolini, M.S., R.D., L.D., C.S.P.C.C., is a pediatric clinical dietitian in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) at Children's National Hospital. She completed her undergraduate degree in dietetics at the University of Dayton. She went on to earn her master's degree in nutrition and complete her dietitian internship through the University of Mississippi's coordinated program with an emphasis on pediatric nutrition. She is an involved member of Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics (AND) and Pediatric Nutrition Practice Group. She is a board-certified specialist in Pediatric Critical Care (CSPCC).

  • Clinical Dietitian

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    Biography

    Blasine Besore, M.S., R.D., is an inpatient pediatric dietitian at Children’s National Hospital who currently specializes in hematology and oncology. She earned her Bachelor of Science in Dietetics from the University of Florida in 2019 then went on to complete a combined Master of Science in Clinical Nutrition and Dietetic Internship program from Rush University in 2021. She is a member of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics (AND) and the Pediatric Nutrition Practice Group.

  • Clinical Dietitian

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    Biography

    Sydney Blakeslee, M.S., R.D., is a clinical dietitian for the General Nutrition Outpatient Clinics and Gastroenterology Division 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 B.S. and M.S. degrees in Dietetics in May of 2019. She became a registered dietitian in July of 2019. She is currently a member of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics (AND).

  • Clinical Nutrition Manager

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    Biography

    Angela Boadu, R.D., L.D./L.D.N., is the Clinical Nutrition Manager at Children's National Hospital. She has been with the hospital since 2012. She received her Bachelor of Science in Dietetics from the University of Maryland, College Park in 2009, then went on to complete her Dietetic Internship in 2011. She has completed her certificate of training in Childhood and Adolescent Weight Management and is a member of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics and its Weight Management Dietetic Practice Group.

  • Clinical Dietitian

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    Biography

    Christy Bock, M.S., R.D., L.D.N., is an outpatient pediatric dietitian serving the children and families of the multidisciplinary Improving Diet, Energy and Activity of Life (IDEAL) Weight Management Clinic and the surgical bariatric nutrition program. She is a resourceful and personable dietitian who has helped children and adults experience success within weight management, nutrition related illnesses and diseases, as well as conditions associated with poor nutrition. She first earned her undergraduate degree from the University of Wisconsin Stout, then completed her dietetic internship at C.W. Post in Brookville, NY and is currently pursuing her Master's in Nutrition and Dietetics through Central Michigan University's online campus.

  • Clinical Dietitian

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    Biography

    Meghan Bohny RD, LDN is an inpatient pediatric dietitian at Children’s National Hospital. She earned her BS in Nutrition and Dietetics from the University of Delaware in 2018, and she completed her dietetic internship with Virginia Tech in Blacksburg, VA. Meghan covers general medicine teams, one of which is a complex care team. Meghan is currently a member of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics (AND).

  • Lead Inpatient Dietitian

    Pediatric Dietitian Expert

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    English

    Biography

    Sarah Davis, R.D., C.N.S.C., C.S.P., L.D., is a clinical dietitian in the Cardiac ICU as well as the dietitian for the Single Ventricle Taskforce team at Children’s National Hospital. She 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. In addition, she is a board-certified nutrition support clinician and a board-certified specialist in pediatric nutrition. Sarah serves as a member of the Nutrition and Growth Learning Lab for the National Pediatric Cardiology Quality Improvement Collaborative (NPC-QIC).

  • Clinical Dietitian

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    English

    Biography

    Emily Frymark, M.S., R.D.N., L.D.N., works with the Endocrinology and Diabetes team for Children’s National Hospital. 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 Children’s National, 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).

  • Clinical Dietitian

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    Biography

    Rachael Levy, R.D., L.D.N., is a clinical dietitian at Children’s National Hospital. She completed her undergraduate degree at Keene State College with a Bachelor of Science in Health Science, Nutrition in 2016. In June 2017, Rachael completed her dietetic internship through Tulane University School of Public Health and Tropical Medicine. She became a registered dietitian in August 2017. Rachael started her career at Children’s National in February 2020. Currently, she works with the intestinal rehabilitation team. She is currently a member of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics and the Pediatric Nutrition Practice Group.

  • Clinical Dietitian

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    English

    Biography

    Kelsey Lloyd, M.S., R.D., L.D.N., is a clinical pediatric dietitian at Children’s National Hospital for the psychiatry unit focusing on disordered eating treatment through completing nutritional assessments, intervention, and education for patients and families. She completed her B.S. in nutritional science in 2017 as well as a combined M.S. in nutrition and Dietetic Internship in 2019 at Boston University.

     

  • Clinical Dietitian

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    English

  • Inpatient Lead Dietitian

    Pediatric Dietitian Specialist II

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    English

    Biography

    Nicole (Nikki) Potolicchio, RD, CSP, LD has been a clinical dietitian in the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU) as well as the Bone Marrow Transplant (BMT) unit at Children’s National Hospital since 2014. She 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.

    Nikki is a board-certified specialist in pediatrics and a member of the American Society for Parenteral and Enteral Nutrition (ASPEN). She was promoted to Lead Inpatient Dietitian in March 2020, which consists of overseeing clinical nutrition care, onboarding new hires, performance improvement and process improvement initiates as well as incorporating evidenced-based research into practice.

  • Clinical Dietitian

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    Biography

    Sara Preisendanz, M.S., R.D., L.D., completed 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 the intensive care unit (ICU), renal and liver transplant, oncology, bariatrics and many others. Most recently, she provided nutrition assessment and education for families of children with inborn errors of metabolism. She enjoys problem-solving and developing achievable diet plans and goals for families of children with complicated nutrition needs.

  • Clinical Dietitian

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    Biography

    Haley Schlechter, RD, LDN, is an outpatient pediatric oncology dietitian working at Children's National Hospital. She completed her Nutritional Science degree at Penn State University and her dietetic internship at the National Institutes of Health. Haley has over four years of clinical research experience in pediatrics including in the areas of rare genetic diseases, cardiovascular health, eating behavior and food allergies. Moving forward in her career, her areas of interested include oncology, Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) and inflammatory bowel disease (IBD).

  • Clinical Dietitian

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  • Clinical Dietitian

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    Biography

    Kristen Sgambat, Ph.D., R.D., 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 Ph.D. 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.

  • Clinical Dietitian

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    Pooja Tolani, M.S., R.D., L.D.N., is a clinical dietitian at Children’s National Hospital. Her primary roles include coverage of the gastrointestinal unit and surgical care unit. She manages and implements medical nutrition therapy for patients including those with new onset and pre-existing irritable bowel disease, motility issues, pancreatitis, failure to thrive, trauma admits and patients undergoing scheduled and emergent orthopedic, urology and plastic surgery. Pooja completed both her Bachelor’s and Master’s degree at the University of Florida in Food Science & Human Nutrition.

  • Clinical Dietitian

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    Alyssa Tucker, M.S., R.D., L.D., C.L.C., C.N.S.C., is a pediatric clinical dietitian in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) at Children’s National Hospital. She completed her undergraduate training at the University of Mississippi. She went on to earn her Master’s degree in nutrition and complete her dietitian internship through the University of Mississippi’s coordinated program. 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).

  • Clinical Dietitian

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    Biography

    Natalie Vallone, R.D., L.D., is a clinical staff relief dietitian at Children’s National Hospital. She completed her undergraduate degree at New York University, receiving a Bachelor of Science in Nutrition and Food Studies, with a concentration in Nutrition and Dietetics. She completed her dietetic internship at The National Institutes of Health Clinical Center in June 2022.

  • Pediatric Dietitian Expert

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    Biography

    Siobhan Vogel, M.S., R.D., C.S.P., L.D., is a clinical dietitian for the Cardiac ICU as well as one of the dietitians for the ketogenic diet, neurology services and neurosurgery services at Children’s National Hospital. She completed undergraduate training at 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 her Master's in Human Nutrition online through Northeastern University. She is a board-certified specialist in pediatric nutrition.

  • Clinical Dietitian

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    Rebecca Wilson, R.D., L.D.N., is a clinical registered dietitian for the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) at Children’s National Hospital. She completed her degree in Food and Nutrition from the University of Alabama in 2017 and went on to complete her dietetic internship at the University of Maryland, College Park in 2018. Rebecca is a member of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics and the Pediatric Nutrition Practice Group. She has completed her certificate of training in Childhood and Adolescent Weight Management and is in the process of obtaining her Certified Lactation Consultant (CLC) Certification.

  • Pediatric Dietitian Specialist II

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    English

    Biography

    Allison Wiseman, R.D., C.D.E., L.D., 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.

  • Clinical Dietitian

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    Biography

    Rebecca Wonder, M.P.H., R.D., L.D., C.L.C., is a dietitian in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit. She completed her undergraduate training at Samford University and her dietetic internship at the University of Virginia, focusing in pediatrics and nutrition support. She completed her master's degree in public health with a focus on maternal and child health at the University of Minnesota. Rebecca is also a certified lactation counselor. Since 2015, she has been a member of the Virginia Neonatal Nutrition Association (VaNNA). She currently serves as secretary for the VaNNA board.