February 2010

   Robyn Nelson
   Dietitian
   Food / Nutrition Services

Congratulations to Robyn Nelson, Dietitian in Food/Nutrition Services, on being named the recipient of the MDH APPLE Award for February 2010. APPLE stands for “Achieving outstanding Performance in Patient care, Leadership, Loyalty and Enthusiasm for MDH.”

Robyn joined Food/Nutrition Services as a dietitian on May 15, 2006, after completing her bachelor’s degree in Dietetics at Western Illinois University. She continually strives for higher service standards and is currently obtaining her Diabetes Educator Certification. With exceptional writing skills, Robyn has been the author of articles in MDH’s community publication, Today’s Healthy Outlook.

Robyn is highly knowledgeable. Employees often go to her with questions because they know she is a valuable resource. She is a member of several CareMaps teams and continually aspires to learn new things.  Robyn routinely consults at Culbertson Memorial Hospital in Rushville as a MDH representative in addition to her role in our facility.

Robyn has excellent communication skills and ensures that each patient understands exactly what she is teaching them. She has superlative consulting skills and has good rapport with physicians. Robyn demonstrates a positive attitude each day. She is polite and caring, always showing concern for her clients’ needs. She is a take-charge person who pitches in when she sees things that need completed or when help is needed. She is the first to volunteer for any job that needs to be filled in the kitchen.

Her nominator commends Robyn for her personal approach to the service she provided to him. Her patient was diagnosed with diabetes and apprehensive about assistance from the hospital staff. He was immediately put at ease by Robyn with her careful explanation of a new diet and helpful suggestions to make the transition easier: “Robyn was gracious and considerate. She clearly explained the treatment methods and diet in very clear ways and answered all of my questions clearly. . . . She made my first visit a positive one.”

Robyn and her husband, Jay, have a son, Noah. In her spare time, Robyn enjoys sewing and gardening.