Jessica is thrilled to be a part of the Healthier Tomorrows team! She is a registered dietitian who loves food and deeply enjoys working with each of her clients, helping them discover or rediscover healthful eating and fall in love with food again. She has found that so many of her clients are dealing with stress and anxiety related to nutrition, and with positive energy, warmth, and empathy, she wants to work side-by-side with them to get back to basics and customize a pattern of healthy eating and lifestyle habits that best fits their individual needs and goals.
As a Certified Functional Nutrition Informed Professional (CFNIP), she believes that food does in fact act as medicine for the body and takes a functional nutrition approach to address the underlying cause of disease and nutrition-related health issues. She is here to help her clients use whole foods, eating patterns, and other lifestyle components such as sleep, stress management, mindfulness, and exercise to get back into balance and improve health outcomes. She particularly loves working with clients needing help with weight and metabolism, hormone imbalances, food intolerances and allergies, GI health issues, eating disorders, pregnancy, breastfeeding, and postpartum nutrition, blood sugar management issues such as Prediabetes and Diabetes, and general wellness. Jessica is here to support her clients while they take action, and can help them find recipes that delight their tastebuds and preferences while still suiting their nutritional needs, strategize with grocery store shopping, and help them build confidence in cooking! She can also help keep things streamlined and focused when working with families with differing nutritional needs among family members, keeping mealtimes joyful rather than stressful.
Jessica attended Meredith College where she received her Bachelor of Science in Foods and Nutrition and completed her dietetic internship program. She worked for over five years with the WIC Program, helping prenatal and postpartum women, infants, and children build a solid foundation with healthful nutrition patterns during those precious early years. She then began working as a consultant dietitian for ten years in various clinical and food service capacities. She has worked with the elderly population in the PACE program, helping clients with issues such as Diabetes, Cardiovascular Disease, Chronic Kidney Disease, Weight Maintenance, and feeding issues such as difficulty chewing and swallowing and altered taste. Additionally, she worked for three years with adults with Autism, helping them navigate meals and mealtime habits while overcoming barriers such as food aversions and social anxieties. She also worked for over five years with pediatric and young adult populations with food allergies and intolerances, and texture issues including dysphagia and other feeding difficulties, helping develop safe and appropriate menus while still including a variety of foods and nutrients.
In her spare time, Jessica loves to run, walk, bike, or swim outside. She lives for southern summers- perusing farmer’s markets, outdoor garden spaces, going to the pool, lake, or beach with her husband and 2 kids, and outdoor movie nights. She also loves volunteer work, listening to Yacht Rock, and diving into the local library’s “Staff Picks” for a good read. And her happy place is a toss up between Whole Foods and Trader Joe’s!
Lauren Burkett, MEd, MS, RD, LDN is a registered dietitian who enjoys working with clients with a variety of disease states and supporting them in developing mindful eating habits and learning to recognize and honor their hunger cues through intuitive eating habits. She has a particular passion for working with clients struggling with gastrointestinal issues, including IBS/GERD/SIBO, diverticulitis/diverticulosis, fatty liver issues such as NAFLD/NASH, and low-fat diet post gallbladder removal. She also enjoys working with clients on challenges around emotional eating (with or without binge eating disorder), diabetes (with or without chronic kidney disease), and developing heart-healthy diets (for hypertension, high cholesterol, and/or heart disease).
Lauren believes that mental health is equally as important as physical health, and she supports her clients in developing behaviors that will assist them in both areas of their lives. She works with her clients to develop a more regular eating routine that works best with their lifestyle and allows them to get joy out of eating again. She takes great pleasure in providing individualized care to each of her clients. She guides them as they strive to reach their health and wellness goals. This supports them in having a more balanced lifestyle for years to come.
Lauren completed her Bachelor of Science in Nutrition and Dietetics with minors in Biology, Medical Humanities, and Sociology from the University of Delaware (UD). She also earned her Master of Education as a Nutrition Education Specialist through Framingham State University and a Master of Science in Entrepreneurship and Design from UD. Lauren completed her dietetic internship program through Virginia Tech and considers herself a learner and self-starter.
In her free time, Lauren loves to cook (her favorite meals are shrimp scampi and chicken à la King), paint on canvas, go to spin classes, and play with her two pet bunnies, Quinoa and Pancake, and four dogs, Eevee, Bruno, Twinkie, and Cloud!
Julia is a registered dietitian who is passionate about educating and empowering clients to improve their health and overall quality of life. She believes that all foods fit into a healthy lifestyle and implements intuitive eating principles into her practice. Julia takes a non-judgmental, empathetic, and hopeful approach when addressing food and body image. She works collaboratively with her clients to create individualized and sustainable changes by building supportive and trusting relationships. She strives to shed light on harmful dieting myths and reframe thinking patterns to lead to a more balanced and fulfilled life.
Julia obtained her Bachelor of Science in Human Nutrition and Dietetics from the University of Arkansas. She completed her internship at Vanderbilt University Medical Center where she worked closely with clients focused on diabetes management and heart health. Prior to joining Healthier Tomorrows, Julia worked in a residential facility with clients recovering from substance abuse, eating disorders and disordered eating.
In her free time, she loves taking ballet classes, hiking, running, listening to music, and creating new recipes. She has found that virtual nutrition counseling can encompass more than just discussion and she enjoys being able to provide meal time support, meal prep and virtual cooking guidance to her clients.
Summer Cooper is a registered dietitian who enjoys working alongside clients on their individual health journeys and guiding them to a positive and sustainable relationship with food and body image. Her work focuses on targeting ineffective behaviors and beliefs about food and body using Health at Every Size principles, Intuitive Eating, food exposures and FBT-informed care. Summer appreciates everyone’s uniqueness and offers a gracious and affectionate approach throughout the treatment process as she works to balance nutrition science and education successfully. She enjoys working with individuals of all ages!
Summer was born and raised in Kentucky but now calls Indiana home. She received her Bachelor of Science degree from Western Kentucky University, where she also completed her dietetic internship.
Before joining Healthier Tomorrows, Summer worked as a college campus dietitian and collegiate sports dietitian, followed by extensive work at an eating disorder clinic where she served as a dietitian in the individual and group nutrition counseling and intensive outpatient program settings. Summer is passionate about creating safe spaces for clients to work through their eating disorder/disordered eating concerns as well as supporting other chronic health conditions during one-on-one nutrition counseling.
Outside of work Summer enjoys spending time with her husband and two young daughters, church community, reading, the outdoors, and thinking of movie quotes to match most situations!
Marjorie is a registered dietitian committed to supporting individuals of all ages and their families in developing appropriate relationships with food and their bodies. Marjorie has supported people of all ages, including children, in their journey to overcome disordered eating behaviors and discouragement and to find freedom in recovery. She specializes in helping those struggling with disordered eating and chronic conditions, including children, and has specific experience in pediatric eating disorder recovery. She uses positive coping skills and individualized care to understand the whole person and their personal health concerns. Marjorie has worked with children, adolescents, adults and families to provide both individualized care and group sessions. She prioritizes a warm, caring approach that is supportive and strives to help every client to be understood and empowered.
She attended Brigham Young University in Provo, Utah where she studied dietetics and completed her dietetic internship with Primary Children’s, American Fork Hospital and LDS Hospital in Salt Lake City and American Fork, Utah. She also attended Texas Tech University and received a Master of Science in Nutrition.
In her free time, she enjoys spending time with her family, cooking, playing baseball, gardening, and volunteering in her community.
Rowan is a registered and licensed dietitian who strives to help clients build better relationships with food and body image by empowering them to trust their bodies. She promotes weight-inclusive care by providing a judgment-free space where nutrition education is geared towards letting go of dieting habits, enjoying nourishing foods, and finding pleasant forms of movement. As a certified Intuitive Eating Counselor, Rowan enjoys helping clients reconnect to their bodies’ innate intuition while learning how all foods can fit into a healthful diet.
Rowan completed her undergraduate degree in Nutrition and Dietetics at Southern Illinois University Carbondale. She received a Master of Science in Nutrition from Eastern Illinois University, where she also completed her dietetic clinical internship. Rowan has experience in clinical, outpatient, and community nutrition, working with both adult and pediatric populations. She’s experienced in counseling on chronic disease management, disordered eating/eating disorders, sports nutrition, and plant-based diets.
Rowan believes in treating each client as the unique and multifaceted individual they are while addressing all areas of life that can impact eating behaviors. She counsels using a patient-centered approach to help clients create practical and sustainable behavior changes. Being an excellent listener and gentle educator helps Rowan work with clients to improve their overall quality and satisfaction with life.
In her free time, Rowan enjoys spending time outdoors, reading, and cooking! She loves trying new foods and testing out new plant-based recipes at home. Rowan also enjoys being active by playing volleyball, taking long walks with her dog (Shanti), and doing Pilates, yoga, and strength training.
Emily is a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist who is passionate about helping others achieve optimal wellness and build a healthy relationship with food and their body. Emily takes a functional/lifestyle medicine approach to nutrition, where she focuses on understanding the whole person and working with her clients to help them resolve their unique health concerns. She strives to provide a safe and empathetic environment where every client feels understood, empowered, and encouraged when discussing food and lifestyle.
Emily holds a Master of Science in Nutrition, Healthspan and Longevity from the University of Southern California, and a Bachelor of Science in Psychology from Villanova University.
In her free time, Emily enjoys being outdoors, cooking, and discovering new recipes to test out with family and friends. Her last name – DaCosta – means “of the coast” which is surely on point because of her love for the ocean and the beach!
Nicole is a registered dietitian who has a passion for helping her clients develop a relationship with food that allows them to enjoy all of the benefits that food has to offer, from energy, to enjoyment, to socialization and community. She strives to help others struggling with disordered eating or eating disorders to be able to rebuild their relationship with food. Nicole believes that all food serves a purpose and can be part of a nourished life.
Nicole received a bachelor’s degree in culinary nutrition from Johnson and Wales University and completed her clinical training through Metropolitan State University in Denver. She received her Master of Science from the University of Nebraska at Lincoln. Prior to joining Healthier Tomorrows, Nicole worked at an eating disorder treatment facility with patients at inpatient, residential, and partial hospitalization levels of care. Before becoming a registered dietitian, Nicole completed culinary school, earned an associate’s degree in baking and pastry and spent time working in a number of bakeries and restaurants.
In her free time, Nicole spends time with her husband, daughter, 2 dogs, and 3 cats. Nicole loves to socialize with her extended family and friends and share meals with them.
Maggie is a registered dietitian who is passionate about helping clients recover from disordered eating. She is committed to fight against the negative effects of diet culture, and she utilizes intuitive eating, mindfulness, and the Health at Every Size approach in her practice. Maggie has worked with both the pediatric and adult populations, but most of her work has been with the pediatric population at both St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital and Le Bonheur Children’s Hospital. In these roles, Maggie worked with all age groups, with a primary focus on infant nutrition, eating disorder recovery, and weight concerns.
She is originally from Memphis, TN, and completed both her undergraduate and graduate degrees at the University of Memphis. In her free time, Maggie loves to bake, hike, spend time with her dog, Duke, and explore new restaurants.
Kimberly is a registered and licensed dietitian who is passionate about assisting her clients in achieving their health and wellness goals. Kimberly received a Master’s of Science in Human Nutrition from University of Illinois in Chicago, and she completed her clinical training at UIC Medical Center, with rotations at Advocate Sykes outpatient wellness center, FoodMinds, Gourmet Gorilla, and CEDA WIC.
Kimberly has worked in outpatient private practice since becoming a registered dietitian, and uses a client-centered approach and motivational interviewing when working with her clients. She believes that all foods have a place in a well-balanced diet and that small but powerful changes over time will help individuals’ reach their goals.
Kimberly enjoys working with clients on a range of food-related issues, including eating disorder recovery, food allergies and intolerances, diabetes management, cardiovascular conditions, pre- and post-natal nutrition, pediatric nutrition, and general wellness.
Kimberly spends her free time teaching fitness classes, cooking, walking her over 100-pound dog, and planning her next vacation. She also enjoys spending time with friends and family, especially her husband and son.