Nutrition Services
Nutrition
The Nutrition services of Norton Children's - Developmental - Behavioral Pediatrics provides medical nutrition therapy to patients in several specialty areas of UofL Pediatrics. The pediatric nutritionist sees patients with cardiac, cancer, and blood disorder diagnoses, as well as several other medical conditions. Our metabolic nutritionists follow genetics patients with inherited metabolic disorders. We are also a part of the interdisciplinary Feeding Disorders Program.
Registered dietitians/nutritionists bring unique skills and experiences to patient care. They are skilled at nutritional assessment. They delve into family feeding environments and food customs in the home, recommend developmentally appropriate foods and preparation methods, and tailor feeding plans using comprehensive information on all types of nutrient sources. Pediatric dietitian/nutritionists can also guide nutritional care within other areas of the child’s environment such as childcare, school, and the transition to adulthood. Despite obstacles imposed by medical conditions, our goal is for every child to grow up with a positive relationship with food.
All of our nutrition professionals are registered dietitians and licensed in the state of Kentucky. We follow patients from Kentucky and southern Indiana.
Pediatric Nutrition
Optimal nutrition is essential to every child’s growth and development, and to successful treatment of pediatric medical conditions. The pediatric nutritionist/dietitian is a key member of a child’s healthcare team. In addition to discerning each child’s needs, our pediatric nutritionist/dietitian sets goals, teaches families to provide what the child needs, and coordinates continuity of nutritional care between home, clinic, and in-patient stays.
Our pediatric dietitian/nutritionist provides medical nutrition therapy to patients in the following clinics:
- Pediatric Cardiology, including Heart Failure Clinic, Hyperlipidemia Clinic
- Pediatric Cancer and Blood Disorders, including Cancer Survivors Clinic
- Pediatric Surgery
- Children with other conditions requiring medical nutrition therapy may be seen at the Weisskopf Center as time allows.
Other pediatric dietitian/nutritionists at UofL Physicians serve patients in these clinics:
- Diabetes
- Pediatric Gastroenterology
- Cystic Fibrosis Care Center
- Renal Disease
- Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) Supplemental Nutrition Program
We are thankful for the support of the WHAS Crusade for Children that makes the pediatric nutritionist position possible.
Metabolic Nutrition
Metabolic Nutrition deals with the nutrient-related chemical processes in the body that keep people functioning and flourishing. Of the 75,000 masterful molecules called enzymes that keep body processes running smoothly, limited amounts of just one enzyme can result in serious health consequences. A specialized nutrition plan is a work-around that enables a person to live a long, safe, and healthy life.
The Metabolic Nutritionist works at the intersection of science and food, helping patients with these disorders to identify the most effective and best-tasting plan to meet nutrient needs.
We serve adult and pediatric patients with metabolic disorders living in western Kentucky and southern Indiana. Many of our patients have been identified through the Kentucky newborn screening program.
We serve adult and pediatric patients with metabolic disorders living in western Kentucky and southern Indiana.
Diana Pantalos, PhD, RDN, LD
Metabolic Nutritionist
Diana has over a decade of experience in metabolic nutrition. She completed her master’s at Ohio State University and earned her PhD in public health at the University of Louisville. In addition to serving patients with metabolic disorders, she also works in tandem with the integrative WCEC feeding team in helping children with unique eating challenges.
Phone: (502) 588-0850 | Email
Julianna Crider, MS, RDN, LDN
Metabolic Nutritionist
Julianna completed her master’s in nutritional sciences at the University of Kentucky. She sees metabolic patients of all ages.
Phone: (502) 588-0850 | Email
Robin Weller, RDN, LDN
Pediatric Nutritionist
A graduate of the Coordinated Undergraduate Program in Dietetics at University of Kentucky, Robin also earned a Certificate of Training in Childhood and Adolescent Weight Management. Her primary focus areas are Pediatric Cardiology and Pediatric Cancer and Blood Disorders, but she also provides medical nutrition therapy to children with weight concerns, metabolic syndrome, tube feedings, and other conditions.
Phone: (502) 588-0850 | Email