Meet The Team

Nutrition Specialist/West Valley District Manager

Debi smith, RD

Attended: Texas Woman's University and Saint Louis University

Dietetic Internship: Saint Louis University

Enjoys about her job: Connecting with people from all walks of life and helping individuals find practical ways to improve their nutrition! I also love working with our AMNS team as a whole and providing support to our RDs and OCs!

Does in her free time: Working out, hiking, listening to music, and spending time with family and friends!

Favorite Food: Chicken piccata and tiramisu

Nutrition Specialist

Theresa Price, MS, RD

Attended: University of Southern Mississippi

Dietetic Internship: University of Southern Mississippi

Enjoys about her job: I love being able to help many people with their health related goals. Having the ability to impact so many people due to remote/virtual appointments is such a great advantage in the realm of dietetics!

Does in her free time: Horseback riding, teaching riding lessons, singing, hiking/working out, spending time with my dogs, spending time with friends and family 

Favorite Food: Any Asian Cuisine or chocolate chip cookies

Nutrition Specialist

Emily Ortiz, MS, RD

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Attended: Arizona State University

Dietetic Internship: Arizona State University, Combined Master + Dietetic Internship

Enjoys about her job: Hearing about my patient's small wins along their health journey's. 

Does in her free time: Hiking, yoga, camping.

Favorite Food: Thin crust pizza or Tacos!

Nutrition Specialist

Amy Ganyukov, RD

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Attended: University of Akron - Bachelor's of Science in Nutrition and Dietetics

Dietetic Internship: West Virginia University Hospital 

Enjoys about her job: My favorite part of the job is helping patients build a nutrition plan personalized for them, and creating healthy relationships with food! 

Does in her free time: My favorite hobbies include hiking with my dog, yoga, and cooking at home! 

Favorite Food: Chicken parmesan and pasta or Grilled chicken salad! 

Nutrition Specialist/East Valley District Manager

Baylee Evans, MS, RD

Attended: Arizona State University

Dietetic Internship: Arizona State University, Wellness Dietetic Internship 

Enjoys about her job: I love being able to help people find an eating pattern that works for them and celebrating all the victories that come along with healthy lifestyle changes! I also love being able to support the AMNS RD's and OC's to help them excel at their jobs! 

Does in her free time: I enjoy attending workout classes, trying new restaurants, spending time outdoors, soaking up time with friends & family, and traveling! 

Favorite Food: Any and all Italian food! 

Nutrition Specialist

KaTrina Samuels-Garrison, RD

Attended: University of Hawaii at Manoa. 

Dietetic Internship: Marywood University 

Enjoys about her job: Patients reaching their goals. 

Does in her free time: I love to travel and everything that comes with it! 

Favorite Food: No favorites but I love seafood and sweets! 

Nutrition Specialist

Krupa Mathew, RD

Attended: Western Michigan University - Nutrition and Dietetics 

Dietetic Internship: Baptist Health System - San, Antonio, TX

Enjoys about her job: Being able to serve and connect with clients, empowering them to feel confident in their bodies and what it can do when they learn to listen to it, busting nutrition myths, and building sustainable yet a joyous relationship with food. The most rewarding aspect of being a dietitian is when I can see the difference I have made in my clients' lives.

Does in her free time: Oil painting, creating new recipes, hiking, traveling 

Favorite Food: Indian/Mediterranean food

Nutrition Specialist

Jessica Divis, MS, RD

Attended: Arizona State University and Marshall University

Dietetic Internship: Marshall University

Enjoys about her job: Helping others accomplish their goals and improve their relationship with food 

Does in her free time: Hiking

Favorite Food: Seafood!

Nutrition Specialist

Carina Liddicoat, MS, RD

Attended: Arizona State University

Dietetic Internship: Arizona State University MS/DI

Enjoys about her job: I love when patients achieve their goals! 

Does in her free time: Cooking and Baking

Favorite Food: Pizza

Nutrition Specialist

Christina Svoyatsky, MS, RD 

Attended: Ohio University Undergraduate program, Grand Valley State University Master's Program 

Dietetic Internship: Grand Valley State University 

Enjoys about her job: Helping individuals reach their goals they've been trying hard to accomplish on their own, expanding their views over nutrition and various recipes, and forming a healthy relationship with food. 

Does in her free time: Hiking, running, working out, cooking, snowboarding, yoga

Favorite Food: Blueberries!

Nutrition Specialist

Kristin Lavoie, RD

Attended: Arizona State University

Dietetic Internship: Sodexo Dietetic Internship

Enjoys about her job: I love that I get to connect with people from all over with a variety of different backgrounds. Each person's needs are individualized to fit them to a tee and I enjoy helping them along their nutrition journey. 

Does in her free time: Hiking, cooking, ceramics, water color, stained glass

Favorite Food: Green chili Mexican burritos

Nutrition Specialist

Kelly McCormick, MS, RD

Attended: Arizona State University

Dietetic Internship: Arizona State University 

Enjoys about her job: Helping people learn to have a healthy relationship with food so they can enjoy everything in moderation 

Does in her free time: Guitar, keyboard. 

Favorite Food: Sushi

Nutrition Specialist

Madison Christensen, RD

Attended: Brigham Young University

Dietetic Internship: Utah State University

Enjoys about her job: My favorite part about my job is helping others improve their nutritional health and being able to follow up with patients to track their progress. It is so rewarding to see people feeling better, labs improving, and quality of life better. 

Does in her free time: My hobbies include cooking, baking, hiking, jogging, boating, and spending time with family. We really love to do anything outdoors together! 

Favorite Food: Mediterranean food (like a mixed bowl with rice, greens, lots of good vegetables, chicken, a yummy sauce, and of course a pita on the side)

Nutrition Specialist

Arda Buyuktimkin, MS, RD

Attended: San Diego State University (San Diego, California) for my Bachelor's & Lamar University (Beaumont, Texas) for my Master's

Dietetic Internship: Located in Beaumont, Texas in conjunction with Lamar University's Master's program. Program emphasized in nutrition education across a large span of rotations (acute care, post acute care, rehabilitation, diabetes outpatient, dialysis outpatient, community nutrition, WIC, bariatric outpatient, oncology, children's food and nutrition, food service and university/school nutrition).

Enjoys about her job: The variety in the patients that I see! I absolutely love helping out patients the best that I can by being their cheerleader! This includes the newest addition of a bariatric support group that I lead to help provide a safe space for everyone in the pre and post surgery phase of their journey.

Does in her free time: I enjoy reading a variety of novels (fiction, nonfiction, etc), painting abstract portraits, watching and playing basketball, going on walks with my dog, playing with my cat, going on hikes as well as re-watching shows (Scrubs, Fresh Prince, Walking Dead, etc).

Favorite Food: Turkish food (due to family culture) shortly followed by Mexican and Indian food. I love foods that have a lot of flavor, spice and variety.

Nutrition Specialist

Annie Curtin, MS, RD

Attended: Arizona State University

Dietetic Internship: Combined Masters and Dietetic Internship at ASU

Enjoys about her job: Getting to know people and being able to celebrate patient wins, big and small! 

Does in her free time: I love playing with my dog and trying out new recipes

Favorite Food: tacos and Cheesecake Factory Thai Lettuce Wraps

Nutrition Specialist

Megan Anderson, RDN

Attended: Arizona State University

Dietetic Internship: Viterbo University

Enjoys about her job: My favorite part about my job is getting to see my patients' long term success and getting to see my wonderful coworkers each day!

Does in her free time: Cooking, exercise classes, and playing with my kitten!

Favorite Food: MACARONI AND CHEESE!!!! 

Nutrition Specialist

Lauren Duda, RD

Attended: Arizona State University

Dietetic Internship: Arizona State University

Enjoys about her job: I love establishing relationships with my patients and discussing their progress!

Does in her free time: Hiking, listening to music/going to concerts, shopping, finding new places to eat, playing with my dog, Zeppelin

Favorite Food: chickpeas (garbanzo beans)

Nutrition Specialist

Julie A Nelson, RDN

Attended: Viterbo University, LaCrosse, WI

Dietetic Internship: Viterbo University, LaCrosse, WI

Enjoys about her job: Working with patients and their families to help them make small, lasting lifestyle changes together

Does in her free time: Church and Community Volunteer work,  Reading, Travel, Hiking, Spending time w/hubby and grandchildren

Favorite Food: Fruit salad-any kind

Nutrition Specialist

Michelle Cesa, MS, RD

Attended: West Virginia University and Keiser University

Dietetic Internship: Keiser University MSDDI (Masters of Science with Distance Dietetic Internship)

Enjoys about her job: Helping individuals optimize their health through nutrition intervention.

Does in her free time: Cycling, weight lifting, learning & soaking up the sun

Favorite Food: Sushi and Acai Bowls  

Nutrition Specialist

Hollis Edwards, RD

Attended: Arizona State University

Dietetic Internship: Nutrition Ink 

Enjoys about her job: Helping patients feel awesome, reach their goals, and enjoy the food they're eating! 

Does in her free time: hot yoga, traveling, and hanging out with friends and family.

Favorite Food: Mediterranean food.

Nutrition Specialist

Sara Woods, MS, RD

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Attended: University of Arizona

Dietetic Internship: Lamar University

Enjoys about her job: My favorite part about this job is being able to share helpful information with patients and work with them to help reach their nutritional goals. 

Does in her free time: Reading, watching football & basketball (I love watching the Arizona Cardinals, Phoenix Suns, and U of A teams!), going for a walk, and spending time with friends & family.

Favorite Food: I don't have just one favorite food, but two of my favorite foods are cheeseburgers and chocolate. 

Nutrition Specialist

Diane Gardner, RD

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Attended: Dominican University (formerly Rosary College)

Dietetic Internship: Hines VA Hospital, Hines, IL

Enjoys about her job: The opportunity to educate, encourage, and support my patients throughout their health journey. I enjoy seeing people thrive as they reach, and often exceed, their goals. I'm grateful for the relationships that are developed over time spent together.

Does in her free time: I enjoy spending time with my family, walking, biking, swimming, reading, trying new restaurants, and traveling.

Favorite Food: peanut butter.

Nutrition Specialist

Brittany Mackay, RD

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Attended: BYU (undergraduate dietetics degree), USU (graduate, Masters of Dietetics Administration)

Dietetic Internship: USU dietetics program

Enjoys about her job: I love that i get to meet so many new amazing people everyday. People that are determined, motivated and very optimistic about their health. I love that i get to be their guide along their nutrition path and provide them with the support, tools, and resources to meet their goals.

Does in her free time: Hiking, scuba diving, traveling, walking and playing with my two frenchbull dogs, eating yummy food, reading dystopian books, puzzles

Favorite Food: Sushi/seafood, ice cream

Nutrition Specialist

Anateresa De Leon, MS, RD

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Attended: Arizona State University

Dietetic Internship: ASU Masters in Nutritional Sciences and Dietetic Internship Combined Program (MSDI)

Enjoys about her job: My favorite part of the job is talking to people all day and helping them improve their quality of life by making long-term, sustainable change. (I also love hearing about their pets!)

Does in her free time: Cake decorating, roller skating, traveling (especially to Disneyland!), sewing, gardening, building LEGO's, DIY/woodworking, and watching movies. I have more hobbies than hours in the day!

Favorite Food: Pasta in all shapes and forms! 

Nutrition Specialist

Alina Ochoa, RD

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Attended: Arizona State University

Dietetic Internship: ASU Wellness Dietetic Internship

Enjoys about her job: Helping others build a healthier relationship with food. 

Does in her free time:I enjoy hiking, walking my dog, rock climbing, cooking, and gardening. I'm also a total nerd who loves playing video games and D&D with friends.

Interesting Fact: Hispanic foods

Patient Support

LaTonya A Manning

Enjoys about her job: People

Does in her free time: Quilting, Crafts, Crocheting, Traveling

Favorite Food: All Foods that fuel the Body and Soul

Nutrition Specialist

Morgan Schmitt, MS, RD

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Attended: University of Arizona

Dietetic Internship: Lamar University with emphasis in nutrition education and counseling 

Enjoys about her job: My favorite part of my job is being able to connect with so many people and helping them to find a way of eating that makes them happy, satisfied, and promotes overall health. I love helping clients see results and victories, both big and small. 

Does in her free time: Traveling, spending time outdoors, riding bikes, and teaching dance.

Favorite Food: Pizza.

Nutrition Specialist

Jessica Wotruba, RD

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Attended: University of Wisconsin- Green Bay

Dietetic Internship: University of Wisconsin- Green Bay

Enjoys about her job: Helping people make positive changes in their lives.

Does in her free time: I really like going to the gym and lifting weights! I also love to travel and spend quality time with my guy, friends, and family.

Interesting Fact: Trying new restaurants, hiking, walking, anything outdoors.

Favorite Food: Pad Thai.

Nutrition Specialist/Program Director

​Amy McCallister, RD, LD

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Attended: Northern Arizona University

Dietetic Internship: Yavapai County Health Department Dietetic Internship

Enjoys about her job: I, #1, love creating opportunities: opportunities for dietitians to excel in an outpatient field, opportunities to allow our patients to be understood and grow in their health and nutrition goals, opportunities for all to work in a helping field that improves the health of our communities. I enjoy all of the ah-ha moments that consistently take place in our offices, when we touch a life that helps that person live their best life. Our health is our wealth, and I like being a part of that equation.

Does in her free time: I enjoy anything outdoors--finding a new hiking route, going for a walk or a jog. I enjoy finding new Podcasts. I love weekend trips to California to breathe in the ocean air; there's nothing more calming than the ocean or the top of a mountain!

Favorite Food: My husband and daughter would say my favorite is "every food!" But, if I HAVE to narrow it down, I am a true fan of anything curry, Thai food, anything pumpkin come the Fall, and ANY FLAVOR OF ICE CREAM!

Nutrition Specialist

Crystal Barrows, RDN

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Attended: New Mexico State University

Dietetic Internship: University of Northern Colorado

Enjoys about her job: Helping others 

Does in her free time: Spending time with my son and pup

Favorite Food: Pad Thai.

Nutrition Specialist

Courtney Dale, MS, RD

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Attended: University of Nevada Las Vegas (UNLV)

Dietetic Internship: UNLV Dietetic Program

Enjoys about her job: Helping people heal their relationship with food and body. 

Does in her free time: Partaking in Spartan races & Tough Mudders and walking my pup, Chip.

Favorite Food: Tacos

Nutrition Specialist

Miley Nguyen, RD

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Attended: University of Utah 

Dietetic Internship: Huntsman Cancer Institute & Salt Lake Community College Athletics 

Enjoys about her job: My favorite part of the job is talking to all my patients. Besides talking about nutrition, my day never gets boring as I get to know all my patients personally and learn about different medical nutrition therapy approaches to disease. Conversations with patients and colleagues are what kept me humbled and driven to be a better dietitian than yesterday. 

Does in her free time: An amateur skier, hiker, tennis player, cook; I mess around with piano once a while. I also watch a ton of cooking videos 

Favorite Food: Noodles with good chili oil or with a good creamy sauce! Salmon! 

Nutrition Specialist

Shannon Gist, RD, LD

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Attended: University of Nevada Las Vegas 

Dietetic Internship: Wellness Workdays (long distance program completed in Wisconsin)

Enjoys about her job: I love the feeling of helping others feel more confident and safe in their own bodies. Seeing other people happy makes me happy as can be! 

Does in her free time: Latin dancing is my biggest hobby (mainly salsa and bachata). I also love hiking and being in nature, and cooking new healthy recipes in the kitchen!

Favorite Food: Since it's hard to just pick one, my top TWO favorite foods are Sushi and Mediterranean food (love chicken shawarma). 

Nutrition Specialist

Michelle Hathaway, RD 

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Attended: Framingham State University 

Dietetic Internship: Priority Nutrition Care  

Enjoys about her job: I love being able to connect with people and help them reach their health goals.  At the end of the day, all we really have is our health and I'm grateful to be able to help people feel their best!

Does in her free time: In my free time I enjoy hiking, exploring farmer's markets and reading. 

Favorite Food: I love so many foods so it's hard to narrow it down to just one but I'm currently obsessed with butternut squash pizza found at True Food Kitchen! 

Patient Support

Jessica Ogle

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Enjoys about her job: Talking with the patients and helping the RD's everyday.

Does in her free time: Hiking, biking, gardening, and cooking

Favorite Food: Burritos and pasta

Nutrition Specialist

Jake Brown, RD

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Attended: University of Cincinnati

Dietetic Internship: University of Cincinnati

Enjoys about her job: My favorite thing about my job is helping people improve their relationships with food and experience freedom with food. 

Does in her free time: Rock climbing.

Favorite Food: Cincinnati Chili