I started working at Fred Hutch in 1999 and work with patients and care teams at all Fred Hutch Cancer Center clinic locations. As director of Oncology Supportive Care and Screening at Fred Hutch, a component of my role encompasses leading the Medical Nutrition Therapy team.
I was attracted to the field of nutrition because food is medicine. What we eat impacts aspects of a person’s life beyond their diagnosis. I always loved studying anything science-related as well as speech communication and knew I wanted to work in the medical field. Becoming a registered dietitian was an excellent way to combine these passions.
Food is personal and modifying lifelong eating habits is difficult. Getting to know the individual person, their goals and how this translates into evidenced-based nutrition recommendations across the oncology spectrum is essential to creating long-lasting change. Medical Nutrition Therapy provided by registered dietitians with specialization in oncology can lead to decreased treatment toxicity, improved energy, maintaining or gaining lean body mass and the ability to stay on the intended treatment regimen. This is what fuels my desire to continue advocating for the essential role of registered dietitians in oncology care.
Outside of work, I love to move! As a former competitive swimmer, runner and water polo player, I still love to be active and try new adventures.
I love what I do and am enthusiastic about providing excellent patient care, programs and pushing nutrition research forward. Partnering is key to meeting patient goals, minimizing side effects of treatment and maintaining quality of life. It’s an incredible responsibility and honor to care for patients with cancer.
-Kerry
Clinical Expertise
I have a special interest in hematopoietic cell transplant, the gut microbiome, the impact of lean body mass on treatment outcomes as well as screening for distress and health-related social needs.
Patient Care Philosophy
I treat each patient as an individual. I value being part of a multidisciplinary team that puts the patient as the center of care planning.
Even after 25 years, I remain excited and honored to be part of the team at Fred Hutch. I’m consistently inspired with the grit people display in the face of adversity. I aim to bring an evidence-based, individualized approach to every patient interaction.
Education and Training
- BS: University of Washington,
- MS: Nutritional Sciences, University of Washington
- Dietetic Internship: University of Washington
Certifications
- RD: Registered Dietitian
- CSO: Board Certified Specialist in Oncology Nutrition
- CD: Certified Dietitian
- FAND: Fellow of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics
Fred Hutch Medical Nutrition Therapy Services
Our services are free and available exclusively to Fred Hutch patients.