Highland Medical Center Adds Dietitian To Staff

The Highland Medical Center has recently added some expanded capabilities when it comes to the comprehensive health treatment of patients.

“My name is Cindy Maerz. Currently, I am the registered dietitian and diabetes educator right here in Monterey at the Highland Medical Center.”

She traced the path that brought her to Highland…

“An adventurous spouse. My other half got a job working in the county and I came along for fun – and adventure.”

And her education history.

“I actually came at it a little bit sideways. I did my undergrad out west at Utah State and was actually in food science. So, learned all about the science of food. It was an ag school, so we learned about making ice cream and sausage and cheese and doing quality control and things like that. And so of course, my dream job would have been quality control in a chocolate factory.”

“That didn’t work out, upon graduation, so I took a job as a dietary assistant in a hospital and realized I really enjoyed working with the dietitians there – really enjoyed the people aspect and talking to folks about food. And so, went back to school – in the meantime, had moved to North Carolina, went to UNC Greensboro, got my degree there and did an internship, and took a big test. And they said, ‘Okay, you can talk about food all day now.’”

And why do you enjoy talking about food all day?

”I guess it’s the fact that it is – one, I like the science part of it. And there’s always, you think you know it, and then they come out with more research that says something else. I like learning about how it can make us feel, either great or not so great, and working it into our daily lives.”

“And I like the fact like food is about our health and nourishment. But it’s also about joy, too. So I love being able to chat with people about the food piece that’s going to help them reach their health goals, but also in a way that fits into their lifestyle and brings them joy. So it’s nourishment and pleasure.”

“Just remember, food is joy.”

Stay tuned for part two of this story, where she explains more about her work, and how it relates to chronic illness.

For Allegheny Mountain Radio, this is Scott Smith.