Understanding GI intolerance in nutrition support: Causes, assessment and management​

Amy Berry MS, LD, RD, CNSC began her specialization of nutrition support in surgical GI patients when she started her career at the Medical University of South Carolina. Eventually she accepted a position with the Surgery Nutrition Support Team at the University of Virginia in 2009. She eventually started working more with the pancreaticobiliary and thoracic surgery program and worked to develop a position that provided continuity of care for the inpatients that were discharged on nutrition support- seeing them both as inpatients and outpatients. She returned to MUSC 2 years ago, where she continues to specialize following inpatient/outpatient pancreatic surgery patients, among other GI surgery patients. She has written and presented nationally on these topics, and in 2019 received the DNS award for Excellence in Clinical Practice as well as the Academy’s Malnutrition Award, given to clinicians making a significant contribution towards combating malnutrition.    

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Cynthia Reddick, RD, CNSC is a home tube feeding expert with over 25 years in homecare, specializing in transitioning patients from hospital to home and promoting positive clinical outcomes. Passionate about nutrition support since her internship at City of Hope National Medical Center, she believes a patient’s positive relationship with a feeding tube improves adherence and quality of life. A recipient of ASPEN’s 2023 Home Parenteral and Enteral Nutrition (HPEN) Trailblazer Award, Cynthia consults on home tube feeding and enteral innovation, sharing her expertise through presentations, webinars, and case studies. She has spoken for organizations such as the Oley Foundation, the Case Management Society of America (CMSA), National Home Infusion Association (NHIA), American Society for Parenteral and Enteral Nutrition (ASPEN), and the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics (AND). 

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Stephanie Dobak MS, RD, LDN, CNSC is a dietitian at the Jefferson Weinberg ALS Center in Philadelphia. After 12 years in inpatient care, she transitioned to outpatient work in 2020. Stephanie has conducted multiple research studies, securing $120,000 in grants, with results published in national abstracts and peer-reviewed journals. She has taught nutrition, medical, and pharmacy students and neurocritical care fellows. Passionate about ethics and palliative care, she shares her expertise through podcasts, blogs, webinars, and national presentations. Stephanie has held multiple leadership roles within the Dietitians in Nutrition Support DPG and is currently past-chair of the Northeast ALS Consortium’s nutrition subcommittee.