Experience

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  Parkwood hospital

  Jan 1990 - Aug 1995

  Clinical and research dietitian

  During my tenure at Parkwood I worked clinically in geriatric rehabilitation, head injury rehabilitation, day hospital, palliative care and chronic care. I conducted several studies on malnutrition and interventions to improve nutritional status in this population.

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  University of guelph

  Jan 1997 - Dec 2011

  Professor

  During my tenure at the University of Guelph I taught in the areas of clinical nutrition, nutrition assessment, aging and nutrition as well as nutrition across the life cycle. I developed a nutrition risk screening instrument (SCREENII) that can be used in surveys, in the community and in primary care to identify nutrition problems in older adults. Intervention research and knowledge translation research specific to improving the nutritional health of older adults was part of my research program. I also developed skill in qualitative methods and specifically grounded theory, developing the Life Nourishment Theory from a longitudinal study involving older adults with dementia and their family care partners. Show less

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  University of waterloo

  Jan 2012 - now

  Professor & schlegel research chair, nutrition & aging

  As a Schlegel Research Chair with the Research Institute of Aging I conduct research in the area of aging and nutrition. Current areas of work in the community focus on diet resilience, nutrition education for families living with dementia, and promoting the identification of nutrition risk, malnutrition and frailty. Hospital research is focused on improving nutrition care practices and processes, including transitions to the community. The focus of my residential care research program is on improving food intake through, health and quality of life, through novel interventions such as enhanced food and improved dining experiences. I also teach in the nutrition minor in the Department of Kinesiology at the University of Waterloo. Show less