Our Approach
At ThedaCare, our registered dietitian nutritionists provide compassionate, evidence-based nutrition care designed to support your unique needs. Whether you are managing a medical condition or working toward long-term wellness, our experts are here to help you succeed.
We provide nutrition services across many ThedaCare locations, ensuring convenient, close-to-home access to expert care.
Our Services
ThedaCare dietitians provide nutrition care wherever you need it. In outpatient settings, we offer one-on-one education and ongoing support for conditions like heart disease, diabetes, eating disorders and digestive disorders. In the hospital, we are part of your care team, helping ensure safe, effective nutrition that supports healing and recovery.
Outpatient Nutrition Education
Cardiovascular
Nutrition plays a critical role in heart health. Our team works in partnership with ThedaCare Cardiovascular Care. We’re here to help people adopt heart-healthy habits to reduce risk and improve outcomes.
Our team supports people with:
- High blood pressure (hypertension)
- High cholesterol
- Heart disease and post-cardiac event recovery
Diabetes and Metabolic Health
Our registered dietitians and diabetes education team provides expert diabetes care and education. The team aims to empower people with the tools to manage blood sugar and live confidently.
We help people with:
- Insulin resistance
- Prediabetes
- Type 1, type 2 and gestational diabetes
Eating Disorder Care
Our dietitians provide individualized, evidence-based and weight-inclusive care focusing on physical and mental health improvements through restoring a healthy relationship with food.
We provide care for the following conditions:
- Anorexia nervosa
- Avoidant/restrictive food intake disorder (ARFID)
- Binge eating disorder
- Bulimia nervosa
- Disordered eating patterns requiring clinical care
- Orthorexia
- Other specified feeding or eating disorders (OSFED)
We also offer a free eating disorder support group. It’s held the second Thursday of each month from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at ThedaCare Regional Medical Center-Appleton. Enter through the Cardiovascular Care building, Door 33. Go to the N200 Classroom on the second floor.
The group is open to community members ages 18 and older living with any kind of eating disorder as well as those caring for someone with an eating disorder. You do not need to be a ThedaCare patient to attend these meetings. For questions, call 920-454-2793.
Gastrointestinal
Our dietitians specialize in managing digestive disorders with nutrition therapy. Through providing individualized care, we aim to reduce symptoms, improve digestion and enhance quality of life.
We support individuals with:
- Celiac disease
- Food allergies and intolerances
- Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) and acid reflux
- Inflammatory bowel disease (such as Crohn’s and ulcerative colitis)
- Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS)
We also offer a feeding tube support group the second Tuesday of each month. It’s held from 5-6:30 p.m. at ThedaCare Regional Medical Center-Appleton in the Birchwood Conference Room, using the west entrance. A registered dietitian leads the group, and all tube types and diagnoses are welcome. For questions, contact meghan.huss@thedacare.org.
Weight Wellness
ThedaCare provides comprehensive weight management solutions tailored to individual needs. Our dietitians help people make sustainable lifestyle changes that improve overall health and well-being.
Services include:
- Medical nutrition therapy and lifestyle interventions
- Non-surgical and medication-based weight loss programs
- Bariatric (weight loss) surgery support—before and after
Cancer Care
Nutrition plays a key role during cancer treatment and recovery. Our dietitians work with the ThedaCare Cancer Care team to provide individualized support for patients at every stage of care. Through the care we provide, we help people with cancer stay nourished, maintain strength and improve tolerance to treatment.
We can help with:
- Maintaining strength and energy during treatment
- Managing side effects such as nausea, appetite loss and weight changes
- Preventing and treating malnutrition
- Supporting recovery and survivorship
We also offer a Support for People with Oral and Head and Neck Cancer (SPOHNC) support group, for those with oral, head and neck cancers. This group is held the fourth Tuesday of each month from 2:30 to 4 p.m.at ThedaCare Regional Cancer Center. For questions, call 920-364-3807.
SPOHNC is a patient-directed self-help organization dedicated to meeting the emotional, physical and emotional needs of oral and head and neck cancer patients and their caregivers. The group offers information, support and encouragement to newly diagnosed patients, survivors and loved ones.
Surgical Optimization
Proper nutrition is key to improving surgical outcomes and recovery. We help people optimize their nutrition with the goals of reducing complications, promoting healing, improving recovery and enhancing outcomes.
Our dietitians specialize in pre- and post-surgical nutrition care for:
- Diabetes management before surgery
- Enhanced recovery after surgery (ERAS) support
- Malnutrition identification and treatment
- Obesity and bariatric surgery readiness
Beyond the Clinic
ThedaCare At Home
Our care extends beyond the hospital and clinic. ThedaCare At Home dietitians provide nutrition support in the comfort of people’s homes. We provide seamless, continuous nutrition care that supports healing, independence and long-term health at home.
Services include:
- Chronic disease management
- Coordination with home health nurses and care teams
- Malnutrition monitoring and intervention
- Nutrition support for home enteral and parenteral infusion
- Post-discharge nutrition follow-up and recovery support
Long-Term Care
Our dietitians provide specialized nutrition care for residents in senior living, long-term care and skilled nursing settings, including The Heritage, Peabody Manor and Juliette Manor. Through the services we provide, we promote dignity, quality of life and optimal health outcomes.
We offer:
- Comprehensive nutrition assessments and care planning
- Malnutrition prevention and treatment
- Management of chronic conditions and complex medical needs
- Therapeutic diets and texture modifications
In the Hospital
Inpatient Nutrition Services
ThedaCare dietitians are an essential part of the care team during hospitalization. We help ensure safe, effective nutrition care that supports healing and recovery during hospital stays.
We provide:
- Coordination with physicians, nurses and care teams
- Enteral and parenteral nutrition support
- Malnutrition diagnosis and treatment
- Nutrition assessments for acute and chronic conditions
Convenient Locations
We provide nutrition services across many ThedaCare locations, so expert care is always close to home.
Meet Our Dietitians
Our team of registered dietitians brings diverse expertise and a shared commitment to compassionate, patient-centered care. Together, they support patients across the full continuum of care needs. From hospital care to outpatient services, home care and long-term care, we provide accessible, coordinated and personalized nutrition support.
Lane Baumbach, MS, RDN, CD
Specialties: Outpatient Nutrition Education, Prediabetes Care, Home Health Nutrition, Cardiovascular Nutrition
Lane is dedicated to ensuring nutrition services are accessible, well-coordinated and tailored to individual needs. She values teamwork and strives to create a supportive care experience where patients feel understood, informed and empowered.
Jean Bouche, RDN, CD
Specialties: Surgical Optimization, Cancer Care
Jean takes an individualized and compassionate approach to working with people. She’s dedicated to helping individuals achieve personal goals while fostering a balanced, positive relationship with food. Jean emphasizes practical, sustainable strategies that meet people where they are in their life.
Ashlyn Brown, MS, RDN, CD
Specialties: Surgical Optimization, Diabetes Education, Outpatient Nutrition Education
Ashlyn provides patient-centered nutrition care that focuses on small, realistic and sustainable changes. She works together with patients to create practical strategies that fit each unique lifestyle, goal and preference that a patient may have. Ashlyn’s goal is to help patients feel confident in making lasting changes to support their health and well-being.
Michelle Clauson, RDN, CDCES
Specialties: Diabetes Education, Outpatient Nutrition Education, Cardiovascular Nutrition, Long-Term Care
As a clinical dietitian and diabetes educator, Michelle provides practical, individualized guidance on nutrition, blood sugar management, and healthy lifestyle habits. Michelle believes every person deserves care that is supportive, realistic, and tailored to their unique needs.
Michelle Eaton, RDN
Specialties: Home Health Nutrition, Outpatient Nutrition Education, Diabetes Education, Cardiovascular Nutrition
Michelle is passionate about helping people improve their health through nutrition and lifestyle change. She focuses on goal setting, education and coaching to support sustainable habits. With a patient-centered approach, Michelle meets people where they are, helping them feel confident and informed in their nutrition choices.
Karen Effenheim, RDN, CD, CSO
Specialties: Oncology Nutrition, Head and Neck Cancers
Karen provides evidence-based nutrition care to support people living with cancer. She brings decades of experience across foodservice management, inpatient clinical care and oncology nutrition. Karen is board-certified in oncology nutrition, allowing her to provide specialized care for complex cancer-related needs. In addition, Karen leads Support for People with Oral and Head and Neck Cancer Inc. (SPOHNC) support group through ThedaCare Cancer Care.
Angelica Gronke, MS, RDN, CD, CDCES
Specialties: Diabetes Education, Outpatient Nutrition Education
Angelica finds purpose in helping individuals build healthy, sustainable lifestyles. She has a special interest in supporting patients managing kidney disease, diabetes and gestational diabetes, offering practical guidance tailored to each person’s needs.
Natalie Hartjes, RDN
Specialties: Cancer Care
Natalie specializes in oncology nutrition, helping people decrease stress around food choices during and after treatment. She aims to empower people to make choices that align with their needs and preferences. Natalie has been part of ThedaCare Cancer Center team since 2018.
Rob Hodges, RDN, CD
Specialties: Cancer Care, Long-Term Care
Rob takes a practical, patient-centered approach to addressing people’s unique nutrition needs. With over 15 years of experience as a registered dietitian and a decade at ThedaCare, he has worked across inpatient care, ThedaCare At Home, long-term care and ThedaCare Cancer Care, bringing a broad perspective to patient care.
Anne Menzies, RDN, CD, CDCES
Specialties: Diabetes Education, Outpatient Nutrition Education
Anne specializes in nutrition counseling and diabetes education with a compassionate, patient-centered approach. Her philosophy is that small, realistic changes can lead to meaningful improvements in health and quality of life. Anne is passionate about helping people feel confident in managing their nutrition while enjoying everyday life, including good food, movement and balance.
Trina Pachan, RDN, CD, CDCES
Specialties: Diabetes Education, Outpatient Nutrition Education, Cardiovascular Nutrition
Trina is a registered dietitian and diabetes educator who is passionate about helping people achieve sustainable health goals. She takes time to listen and get to know each person as an individual. She believes meeting people where they are and focusing on small, realistic changes leads to lasting improvements in health and quality of life.
Brittany Shaw, RDN, CD
Specialties: Cancer Care
Brittany uses a holistic, patient-centered approach to provide individualized nutrition care. She has experience in both acute care and outpatient hospital settings, allowing her to support people through a wide range of needs. Brittany is dedicated to helping people build sustainable, healthy habits.
Alex Valine, RDN, CDCES
Specialties: Diabetes Education, Outpatient Nutrition Education, Cardiovascular Nutrition
Alex focuses on coordinated, patient-centered service. He helps ensure nutrition care is integrated across the continuum to support overall treatment and recovery. Alex enjoys connecting with patients and care teams to help make nutrition support accessible and practical.
Get Started Today
Take the next step toward better health with ThedaCare. To get started, ask your primary care or specialist team for a referral. Once you have a referral in place, you may call or use MyThedaCare to schedule.
