Signature Series
Meet our Nutritionists: Michelle and Kate
By Christie Roy, BIDMC Staff
Michelle Davis, RD, LDN, and Kate Otto, RD, LDN, are Bariatric Nutritionists at BIDMC’s Weight Loss Surgery Center. Collaborating with a multidisciplinary team, they focus on promoting good health while also providing the framework for comprehensive nutritional support for our bariatric patients.
Michelle and Kate are specially trained in nutrition management for bariatric patients. Each patient meets with a dietitian before and after surgery to receive a tailored nutrition plan, education, and support to ensure long-term positive outcomes.
Both dietitians agree that one of the best things about their jobs is knowing that their patients are becoming happier and healthier.
“I feel like I am helping people on a life transformation and am also learning lots from my patients on the way,” Michelle says.
“It is so humbling to see patients’ mobility and quality of life improve,” adds Kate.
Both had an interest in nutrition from a young age, which led to their college studies and eventual career path.
Michelle joined the Bariatric team in April of 2011 after completing her dietetic internship program at BIDMC. She earned a Bachelor’s of Science in Nutrition and Dietetics from the University of Delaware.
From the beginning, Michelle was excited to train and eventually work at BIDMC. She worked in the Weight Loss Surgery Center on a rotating basis and affirmed her interest in bariatric surgery.
“When I took a tour of the facility, I met lots of warm and friendly people and just knew this was the place for me,” she says. “After finishing my internship, I wanted to stay and work here because I love the positive and caring environment and friendliness of all the staff members I’ve encountered.”
Seeing a nutritionist herself when she was younger also played a role in Michelle’s career decision.
“Getting to help people in the same way that my dietitian helped me is very rewarding,” she says.
Kate has been a member of the Bariatric team since December of 2009, and also completed her dietetic internship program at BIDMC. She is a graduate of Miami University in Ohio, where she earned a Bachelor’s of Science degree in Health and Sports Studies while also completing a Didactic Program in Dietetics.
Originally from the Midwest, Kate was excited to come to Boston for her internship and experience life somewhere else in the country. She explains that her interest in BIDMC peaked when she learned that, as an intern, she would get to rotate through several different dietetic areas and explore each.
“I had such a great experience as an intern here and really felt that BIDMC exemplified patient-centered care, something that I value as a practitioner,” Kate says.
Kate says she can’t imagine a more rewarding position for a registered dietitian than working with bariatric patients.
“I try my best to practice what I preach because my patients constantly inspire me to,” she states. “The work I do with patients and seeing them succeed is one of the main reasons why I love my job.”
In their free time, both nutritionists enjoy spending time with their family and friends as well as in the kitchen: Michelle likes to cook and bake; Kate especially likes trying out new recipes. Kate also says she has fun with volleyball, golf, and scrapbooking while Michelle, once an aspiring Broadway actress, adores singing.
Whether you are a past, present, or future patient of the Weight Loss Surgery Center, Michelle and Kate are here to help you with all of your nutritional needs. You can reach them by calling the Center at 617-667-2845.
