​SAMANTHA SCHLEIGER  MS, RDN, CD, CLT
Integrative Registered Dietitian Nutritionist  |  Functional Medicine Practitioner
​Certified LEAP therapist | Mindful + Intuitive Eating Practitioner
Certified Dietitian [WI] | Insured

E X P E R I E N C E

Integrative Registered Dietitian Nutritionist – Private Practice/Consultant/Freelance
Simply Nourished | www.thesimplerd.com | Elkhorn, WI | 2016-present
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Integrative Registered Dietitian Nutritionist
The Wellness Pointe LLC. | www.thewellnesspointechiro.com | Elkhorn, WI | 2016-present
  • Manage internal operations of integrative chiropractic office and procedures regarding practice member care.
 
Consultant Registered Dietitian Nutritionist – Long Term Care/Rehab
Wisconsin & Illinois Senior Housing - Holton Manor | Elkhorn, WI | 2/2017-present
  • Responsible participating in menu planning following guidelines for facility license.
  • Responsible for performing initial and follow-up assessments on appropriate patients/residents and demonstrating working knowledge of illness, injuries, and disease-states when providing medical nutrition therapy.
  • Responsible for documenting results of patient care within established policies, procedures, and scope of practice, while maintaining consistency and accuracy in data collection and documentation.
  • Responsible for developing the plan of care based on patients’/residents’ psychosocial, cultural, ethnic, and religious/spiritual needs.

Integrative Registered Dietitian Nutritionist – Spinal Cord Injury/Disorder (Adaptive Sport Performance Dietitian)
Clement J. Zablocki VA Medical Center | Milwaukee, WI | 10/2019-present
  • Served as adaptive sport performance dietitian for the VA's National Adaptive Sports Clinic.

Integrative Registered Dietitian Nutritionist – Spinal Cord Injury/Disorder (Clinical Dietitian - Inpatient/Outpatient/Rehab)
Clement J. Zablocki VA Medical Center | Milwaukee, WI | 8/2016-10/2019
  • Responsible for planning, developing and directing all nutritional care activities for assigned inpatients.
  • Provided outpatient counseling sessions on an individual basis.
  • Collaboratively worked with the interdisciplinary team to ensure patient’s nutrition-related needs are met via whole, nutrient-dense diet or when alternative form of nutrition managed is deemed necessary.
  • Provided medical nutrition therapy and education for Veterans who have sustained a spinal cord injury participating in the SCI Inpatient Rehab Program.
  • Supported the facility’s mission and coordinated care with other health care providers and Veterans and their families.
  • Successfully created and implemented an interdisciplinary program (with an OTR/L) hands-on approach to learning the power of nutrition through cooking and gardening in Veterans with SCI (SCI FRESH Cooking Program [bi-monthly] and SCI Gardening Program [bi-monthly]).
  • Created educational lecture for SCI/D Residents and Fellows regarding the unique nutrition needs of Veterans with SCI/D (i.e. wound healing nutrition needs, anemia/iron supplementation, alternative means of nutrition, nutrition-focused physical exam, NDD1/NDD2/NDD3 Dysphagia Diet, etc.). Additionally, presented to SCI/D Fellows on general wellness and self-care during their fellowship.
  • Working to implement the use of Indirect Calorimetry (MedGem) into SCI/D clinical care including writing a SCI/D Division Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) and NFS Procedure.
  • Served as the chair/facilitator for the ‘Weight Measurement PDSA’ project workgroup; gathered preliminary data to identify needs, organized task group, and wrote/tracked progress of the PDSA project.
  • Successfully implemented the use of the SCI/D ECU devices for Room Service Menu viewing to increase Veteran independence and ease when placing a food order through Room Service.
  • Applied to the VHA Innovators Network Spark-Seed-Spread Innovation Investment Program; selected to advance to Phase 2 of Program; pitched innovation idea to Milwaukee VAMC top management.
  • Conducted NFS Inpatient oral nutrition supplement (ONS) monitor for FY18 Quarter 1; created documented with data and findings; presented outcomes to Clinical Practice Meeting (NFS Management and RD/DTR staff)
  • Revised the national SCI/D Nutrition Annual Evaluation tool (Annual Exam laboratory values); uploaded to National NFS Sharepoint Patient Education Handouts page.
  • Selected to present on the Clinical Nutrition Subcommittee national call (April 2019) on SCI/D FRESH and Garden Programs.
  • Collaborated with National SCI/D Instructional Systems Specialist (Erik Wallen) and Health System Specialist (Meaghan Park) to upload our SCI FRESH/Garden Program curriculum to the SCI Whole Health SharePoint page (“Resources for Implementing Whole Health in SCI/D”)
  • Participated in a 2017 PDSA project where our team implemented the SCI/D Outpatient Medical Rehab Program
  • Participated in the Clement J. Zablocki VA Mentorship Program (2017)
  • Conducted Nutrition and Food Service Patient Satisfaction surveys on the SCI/D ward
  • Helped to coordinate and implement the 2017 National Nutrition Month in-person cooking demonstration with Chef Justin Carlisle; served as the RD moderator/educator during event
  • Served as preceptor to Mount Mary Dietetic Internship students
  • Coordinated an outing with the SCI/D Recreation Therapy Department to take Veterans to a local farmers market to learn more about fresh produce, sustainability, resources, etc. (2018)
  • Coordinated an outing with Occupational Therapy to take Veterans on a local grocery store tour to educate them on helpful, nutritious ways to grocery shop, how to read food labels, how to effectively purchase food in bulk, etc.
  • Served as staff RD during SCI/D Wound Rounds with medical team
  • Served as RD representative during 2018 National Nutrition Month event
  • Committees/Workgroups: Nutrition Subcommittee (2016-2018); SCI/D Healthy Work Environment (2018-present); SCI/D Complementary and Alternative Medicine (2018-present); Employee Wellness Committee - SCI/D Department Leader (2018-present); SCI/D National RD Committee (2019-present); VA National Functional Nutrition Workgroup (2019-present)
 
Registered Dietitian Nutritionist (Clinical Dietitian - Inpatient/Outpatient)
Aurora Medical Center | Kenosha, WI | 10/2015-3/2016
  • Developed and implemented a plan of care for patients based on assessment of nutritional needs in correlation with interdisciplinary health care plans. Utilized a nutrition-focused physical exam (NFPE), clinical and laboratory data to complete assessment.
  • Reviewed patient’s diet order, determined clinical appropriateness and collaborated with MD concerning patient care.
  • Documented results of nutritional assessment, MNT recommended and initiated, plan of care, results of diet consultation, recommendations for discharge planning, and nutrition orders in medical record (EPIC) in a timely manner.
  • Provided nutrition education through individual and group teaching to patients/families, staff and the community.
  • Maintained accurate record-keeping of daily clinical activities, including information for scheduling and billing.

E D U C A T I O N

Dietetic Internship | Edward Hines Jr. VA Hospital | Hines, IL 60141 | 8/2014-6/2015
Focus: Medical Nutrition Therapy (MNT); Research: Evaluation of outcomes of the Cooking Healthy Everyday Foods (CHEF) Program; Clinical Practice: Pediatrics, Hematology/Oncology, Spinal Cord Injury, Geriatrics, Surgery, Renal, Parenteral/Enteral Nutrition, Ambulatory Care, Wellness, Food Service Systems Management, Clinical Nutrition Management, Home-based Primary Care, Mental Health, Geriatrics/Hospice
 
Additional Graduate-level Courses | University of Illinois-Chicago | 9/2014-6/2015
College of Applied Health Sciences | Chicago, IL 60612
  • Research on Clinical Nutrition Problems
  • Advanced Clinical Nutrition III
 
Masters of Science – Food and Nutritional Science | University of Wisconsin-Stout | Magna Cum Laude | 1/2011-5/2014
College of Education, Health and Human Sciences | Menomonie, WI 54751
 
Bachelors of Science – Kinesiology | University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire | Cum Laude | 9/2006-12/2010
College of Education and Human Sciences | Eau Claire, WI 54703
  • Human Performance Program

L I C E N S U R E   &   C E R T I F I C A T I O N S

  • In progress: American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM) – Certified Exercise Physiologist (CEP)
  • ​In progress: Integrative and Functional Nutrition Certified Practitioner (IFNCP)
  • Mindful & Intuitive Eating Practitioner (MIEP) | 5/2019
  • Certified LEAP Therapist (CLT) | 3/2019
  • Registered Dietitian | Registration Number: 86026697 | Expires 5/31/2021
  • Certified Dietitian | License Number: 2887-29 | Expires 10/31/2020
  • Basic Life Support (BLS) | American Heart Association | Expires 9/2020
  • ServSafe | National Restaurant Association Educational Foundation | License Number: 9465139 | Expires 1/2021
  • ​TRX Suspension Training | 2011
  • CrossFit Level 1 | 2010

P R O F E S S I O N A L   O R G A N I Z A T I O N S 

R E S E A R C H ,   P U B L I C A T I O N S   &   S P E A K I N G   E N G A G E M E N T S

  • Clinical Nutrition Subcommittee (CNS) National Call | “A Hands-on Approach to Healthy Habits in SCI/D” (FRESH Cooking Class and Gardening Program) | 4/2019
  • Wisconsin Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics (WAND) Conference | Innovation in Nutrition Presentation | “A Hands-on Approach to Healthy Habits in SCI/D” | 3/2019
  • Expert Panel Member: “Engaging Patients and Providers in Identifying and Addressing Modifiable Risk Factors to Prevent Community-Acquired Ulcers in Veterans with SCI” Delphi Study| Edward Hines Jr. VA | 2018-2022
  • Research Study - Vitamin D Status in the SCI/D Population (a retrospective chart review) | Clement J. Zablocki VAMC SCI/D Center | 2018-present
  • 2018 Academy of Spinal Cord Injury Professionals (ASCIP) Conference | Speaker | A Hands-on Approach to Healthy Habits in SCI | 9/2018
  • Presenter: 2018 VISN 12 Hub & Spoke Conference | Integrative and Functional Approaches to Providing Nutrition Care in SCI
  • Research Study | Edward Hines Jr. VA Hospital | An evaluation of self-efficacy and clinical outcomes of the Edward Hines Jr. VA Hospital and Joliet CBOC C.H.E.F. Program | 6/2015
  • Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics – Student Scoop | Make Yours an Unforgettable Internship Experience (3/2015)
  • Thesis | Clement J. Zablocki VA Medical Center | Impact of a Healthy Teaching Kitchen course versus standard nutrition education on knowledge, behavior and confidence in people with SCI/D | 5/2014
  • Dunn County Newspaper | Menomonie, WI | De-flaming your diet | 11/2013
  • Button, N., Dickinson, C., Krueger, S., & Meschke, A. (2010). The effects of Gatorade’s G-Series on 300-meter shuttle run times of collegiate and semi-professional athletes. The Journal of Undergraduate Kinesiology Research, 6(1), 39-45.

H O N O R S   &   A W A R D S

  • Dietitians in Integrative and Functional Medicine (DIFM): Diversity Stipend Award | 2019
  • Department of Veterans Affairs: ‘Exceptional’ rating for 2018 performance evaluation | 2018
  • Department of Veterans Affairs: Award for VISN 12 2018 SCI/D Hub and Spoke Conference presentation | 2018
  • Department of Veterans Affairs: ‘Exceptional’ rating for 2017 performance evaluation | 2017
  • Department of Veterans Affairs: Award for creating/implementing SCI Annual Exam lunch bag program (partnership with WI-PVA) | 2017 
  • Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics Foundation Scholarship | 2014
  • Wisconsin Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics Outstanding Dietetics Student (DPD) Award | 2014
  • Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics Outstanding Dietetics Student Award | 2014
  • Wisconsin Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics Bernice Mateicka Health Care Food Service Scholarship | 2014
  • Phi Upsilon Omicron-Tau Chapter Professional Project, Region I Winners | 2013
  • University of Wisconsin-Stout University Foundation Scholarship | 2013
  • Wisconsin Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics Jo Saunders Scholarship | 2013
  • Aurora Health Care Elizabeth A. Miller Scholarship | 2012
  • University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire Arlyn W. Gravunder Kinesiology & Athletic Scholarship | 2010
  • ​University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire Women’s Soccer Team Captain/Team Award | 2008-2009/2008, 2009
  • University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire Student Leadership Award Nomination | 2008

O T H E R   E X P E R I E N C E 

Health Coach (Temporary position)
Group Health Cooperative | 2503 N. Hillcrest Altoona, WI 54720 | 5/2012-11/2012
  • Planned and implemented health promotion initiatives to members (biometrics, HRAs, health coaching, follow-up, etc.).
 
Personal Trainer
FitELITE LLC. | Eau Claire, WI 54701 | 6/2010-10/2012
  • Worked within a team environment to coordinate activities for promotional events and business opportunities.
  • Created and implemented cardiovascular, resistance training and nutrition programs on an individual and group basis.
  • CrossFit Level 1 Certified
  • TRX Certified

A D D I T I O N A L   T R A I N I N G   &   P R O F E S S I O N A L   D E V E L O P M E N T

  • University of Arizona Andrew Weil Center for Integrative Medicine (AWCIM) - Environmental Health | 5/2020
  • University of Arizona Andrew Weil Center for Integrative Medicine (AWCIM) - Foundations in Integrative Health | 9/2019
  • Department of Veterans Affairs: Whole Health Training - Eating for Whole Health | 1/2019
  • Department of Veterans Affairs: Eating for Whole Health: Introduction to Functional Nutrition | 2018
  • Institute of Functional Medicine: Integrative and Functional Medicine Online Course | 8/2018
  • Institute of Functional Medicine: Clinical Solutions for Addressing the Underlying Causes of Disease | 8/2018
  • Institute of Functional Medicine: Nutrition Oriented Physical Exam – N Sight | 12/2018
  • Academy of Nutrition & Dietetics: Certificate of Training in Integrative and Functional Nutrition | 9/2018
  • Academy of Nutrition & Dietetics: Certificate of Training in Adult Weight Management | 9/2016
  • Book: The Psychobiotic Revolution | 12/2018
  • Regularly read the Journal of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics and AND Position Papers

The information provided within this website it is not intended to provide or replace medical advice, nor should it be used to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent disease. The information expressed in this website should not be interpreted as dietary recommendations specific to an individual of any kind. Although I am a healthcare practitioner, I cannot dispense dietary recommendations without meeting with you personally and assessing your dietary needs including your specific situation, health condition, medications, symptoms, and goals. Further, all recipes, photos, and blog posts on this site are original and property of Simply Nourished (unless otherwise noted). You are welcome to share a photo, recipe or blog post from this site. However, please be respectful and provide a link back to its source and provide credit to Simply Nourished.