June Member Spotlight: Toni Swanson, RDN, CSG, LD

Provide us with a brief description of your job: I’m the corporate Dietitian with Ecumen. I assist with all aspects of nutrition care at the Skilled Nursing campuses in Ecumen’s portfolio by overseeing the resident’s nutritional wellbeing and assistance to the dining leaders. I help with menu development and guidance, modify diet textures and therapeutic needs for residents and even staff. I also help with educating and supporting the dining leaders in all aspects of nutrition, and kitchen safety/sanitation.

What do you love about what you do? I love that I get to support other Dietitians and nutrition professionals in the field.

What are the challenges? Working remote and not being onsite every day.

How has your MAND membership benefited you? I have been able to connect with MANY RD/Nutrition Professionals around the state and it is always great to gather knowledge and experience from others.

What do you think is the future of nutrition and dietetics? The sky is the limit–really. Functional nutrition is on the rise and just really treating food as medicine. I’m seeing a shift to more preventative measures with healthy living and eating vs reactive measures with medicine.

What are your favorite activities/hobbies? Baking, walking, playing with my two little girls, anything lake related (true MN girl), and (recently) finger knitting.

What is your favorite restaurant in Minnesota? Ufda…this is a good question. I feel like my favorite changes by the week. One place that is always my favorite is not open for business, but always has the best food: my Mother’s kitchen 🙂