Ozarks Healthcare Expands Hospitals Nutrition Services With Hire Of Registered Dietician

WEST PLAINS, MO – Ozarks Healthcare has expanded its nutrition services for its hospital patients with the organization’s recent hire of Kurstin Koch, registered dietician. Registered dieticians provide nutrition therapy for patients, assess their nutritional needs, develop and implement nutrition programs, and evaluate and report results to physicians to determine the best path of care for the health of their patients.

A native of Sikeston, MO, Koch received her bachelor’s degree in nutrition from Harding University in Searcy, AR, in 2011. In 2014, Koch traveled to China to teach English while earning her master’s degree in Human Environmental Studies. Upon returning to the U.S. a few months ago, Koch was hired as a dietician in Ozarks Healthcare’s Dietary Department.

Koch said the most rewarding part of her job so far is helping patients achieve a healthier lifestyle by making key changes.

“Nutrition is about meeting the patient where he or she is at,” Koch said. “What I enjoy most about nutrition is helping my patients achieve their goals or see progress, whether that be with weight loss or controlling blood sugar. It is all about the small steps that can be made.”

Nichole Cook, Vice President of Finance at Ozarks Healthcare, said the organization is excited to welcome Koch and her skills to its dietary department.

“Kurstin’s skillset and passion for nutrition are huge assets to the wellbeing of our patients at Ozarks Healthcare,” Cook said. “Kurstin has allowed us to expand our nutrition services for patients, which often is a benefit to them beyond their hospital stay. In many instances, Kurstin is able to educate patients about supplements that can be used or lifestyle changes that can be made to help them enjoy their best quality of life after they are discharged from a hospital visit. Kurstin is not only a valuable resource to Ozarks Healthcare, but also to our community.” 

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