Staff 

Cathy Bastian, MA, RD, LDN, CDE, IBCLC
Manager, Clinical Nutrition Services and Director, Dietetic Internship

Cathy is the Clinical Nutrition Manager for the staff at Geisinger Medical Center, Geisinger Wyoming Valley and Geisinger South Wilkes-Barre. She is also responsible for providing administrative operations for the Dietetic Internship.Cathy received her BS in Biology from Bucknell University and her MA in Human Nutrition and route to registration from Syracuse University. She is a Certified Diabetes Educator, Lactation Consultant and has an Adult Weight Management Certification from the Commission on Dietetic Registration. Along with working in a variety of clinical dietitian positions at Geisinger in the past, Cathy also was a Community Nutritionist and Lactation Consultant for several health care organizations in New Jersey. She also has experience as a private practitioner providing Nutrition and Breastfeeding Counseling Services.

Sharon Madalis, MS, RD, LDN, CDE
Site Coordinator, Dietetic Internship and Coordinator, Clinical Nutrition Services

Sharon is the Coordinator for Clinical Nutrition Services, specifically for Ambulatory Nutrition Services and provides patient care at Danville clinics and Healthy Beginnings program in the Obstetrics clinic. She is also responsible for coordinating daily operations for the internship. Sharon received her BS in Medical Dietetics from Penn State University and her MS in Instructional Technology from Bloomsburg University. She completed a 3 Year Approved Professional Practice Program at Geisinger Medical Center as her route to registration. Sharon is a Certified Diabetes Educator and has presented numerous posters at the Society of Nutrition Education and American Dietetic Association annual meetings. She is a Program Reviewer for the Commission on Accreditation for Dietetic Education. She is editor of the Geisinger Health System "Nutrition News and Views" newsletter. Her past job experiences with Geisinger have included Diet Technician and Administrative RD for Patient Food Service.

Susan Whitmire, RD, LDN, CNSD, Clinical Dietitian

Sue is responsible for the nutritional management of patients in the intensive care unit and the Home Tube Feeding Clinic and is a member of the Nutrition Support Team.She has Bachelor of Science degrees in Medical Dietetics and Science from Penn State University. She completed a dietetic internship at Barnes Hospital in St. Louis, Missouri. Sue is a Certified Nutrition Support Dietitian. She has also published a chapter entitled "Fluid, Electrolyte, and Acid-Base Balance" in the current edition of Krause's Food, Nutrition, and Diet Therapy and in Contemporary Nutrition Support Practice. She has spoken at the local, state, and national levels on acid-base balance.

Dennis Killion, RD, LDN, Clinical Dietitian

Dennis is responsible for nutritional management of patients on the Surgery Unit and Select Specialty Hospital (long term acute care unit). He completed two bachelor degrees - a BS in Health Sciences from Lock Haven University and a BS in Dietetics from Indiana University of Pennsylvania. He completed a dietetic internship at Yale/New Haven Hospital. Dennis was the Manager for Patient Food Service in the Food Service Department here at GMC, and has previously provided outpatient nutrition counseling at several outlying Geisinger Health System Clinics. 

Tara Hoover, RD, LDN, Clinical Dietitian

Tara is responsible for inpatients admitted to the Cardiac Intensive Care and Special Care Units. She earned her undergraduate degree from Immaculata University and recently completed her dietetic internship at Geisinger Medical Center.

Cindy Stemrich, Clinical Dietitian

Cindy oversees inpatients admitted with cardiovascular, neurologic, and pulmonary medical conditions. She recently graduated from Marywood University's Coordinated Undergraduate Program in Nutrition and Dietetics; she is currently completing her Master's in Nutrition from there. Cindy also has a Bachelor of Science degree in Neuroscience from King's College.

Holly Goncheroski, RD, LDN, Clinical Dietitian

Holly provides nutrition care for pediatric oncology and pediatric nephrology patients. Holly recently completed her Coordinated Undergraduate Program in Nutrition and Dietetics at Marywood University.

Patti Chulock, RD, LDN, CDE, Clinical Dietitian

Patti has been providing pediatric patient care for several years, participating in Geisinger's Feeding Team Clinic, Nutrition Support Service, Neurology Group for Ketogenic Diets, Pediatric Obesity Clinic, Cystic Fibrosis Clinic, and with the Pediatric Diabetes team. She currently provides care for both pediatric inpatients and outpatients. Patti has a Bachelor of Science degree in Medical Dietetics from Penn State University.  She completed a 3-year preplanned program at Geisinger Medical Center as her route to registration. She is a Certified Diabetes Educator and has a Pediatric and Adolescent Weight Management Certification from the Commission on Dietetic Registration.

Denise Hackman, MBA, RD, LDN, CNSD, Clinical Dietitian

Denise is responsible for the nutritional management of patients in the neonatal intensive care unit, the feeding team clinic, and for other pediatric inpatients and outpatients. She has a Bachelor of Science degree in Nutrition and Dietetics from Albright College and did an internship at the Indiana University Medical Center. She completed her MBA through Penn State. Denise also completed a pediatric nutrition fellowship at Children's Hospital of Philadelphia and is a Certified Nutrition Support Dietitian. She has extensive pediatric intensive care experiences from positions held at St. Christopher's Hospital for Children and Lehigh Valley Hospital. She also worked for the WIC clinic at Lebanon, PA Family Health. 

Vonda Hetherington, RD, LDN, CDE, Clinical Dietitian

Vonda is responsible for providing nutritional care for two freestanding off-site dialysis units, as well as Geisinger's outpatient hemodialysis and predialysis clinics. She obtained her BS in Nutrition from Albright College and completed her dietetic internship at Geisinger. She previously worked in a variety of clinical dietitian positions for St. Vincent Mercy Medical Center in Toledo, Ohio. More recently, she was the Dietitian Manager and Diabetes Education Program Coordinator for Wood County Hospital in Bowling Green, Ohio. She is a past recipient of the American Dietetic Association Registered Young Dietitian of the Year Award and has held various positions, including President, in the Northwest Ohio Dietetic Association. She is a Certified Diabetes Educator.

Sara Gandhi, RD, LDN, Clinical Dietitian

Sara provides nutritional care for patients admitted to the oncology and orthopedics services and the bone marrow transplant clinic. She is also the dietitian for the Geisinger Health System Rehabilitation Hospital, an affiliate of HealthSouth. Sara has a Bachelor of Science degree in Foods and Nutrition and a Master of Science degree both from Maharaja Sayajirav University in India. She completed a dietetic traineeship at Geisinger as her route to registration. Sara is an active member of the Geisinger Cancer Center Support Team. She teaches vegetarian cooking classes for community groups.

Kathy Boudeman, RD, LDN, CDE, Clinical Dietitian

Kathy is a clinical dietitian in the endocrinology and high risk obstetrics clinics.  She also provides inpatient care in the mental health unit and the obstetrics/gynecology floor unit.  She is a Certified Diabetes Educator and coordinates nutrition education programs for nurses providing diabetes care throughout the system. Kathy has a Bachelor of Science degree in Dietetics and Nutrition Education from Indiana University of Pennsylvania.  She completed a 3-year preplanned program at Geisinger Medical Center as her route to registration. Kathy has been very active with the American Diabetes Association serving on a variety of committees.

Karen Bird, RD, LDN, Clinical Dietitian

Karen provides nutrition counseling for Family Practice patients at Knapper Clinic. She is also a member of the Geisinger Center for Nutrition and Weight Management team in the GI/Nutrition Clinic and the Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) team in the Neurology clinic. Karen has a Bachelor of Science in Foods and Nutrition from College Misericordia. She completed a 3 Year Approved Professional Practice Program at Geisinger Medical Center as her route to registration. She has an Adult Weight Management Certification from the Commission on Dietetic Registration.

Kira Bowman, RD, LDN, Clinical Dietitian

Kira provides outpatient nutrition counseling at several outlying Geisinger Health System Clinics. She is originally from Danville (actually born at Geisinger). Kria obtained a Bachelor of Science Degree in dietetics with a minor in Psychology from Indiana University of Pennsylvania. She is a member of Phi Kappa Phi Honor Society, and previously worked as a dietary assistant and cook at a local long-term care facility. Kira is a graduate of the Geisinger Medical Center Internship Program.

Marianne Williams, MS, RD, LDN, Clinical Dietitian

Marianne is responsible for a medical-surgical floor and a special care unit. She is also the dietitian for the Kidney, Pancreas and Liver Transplant teams and for patients on peritoneal dialysis. Marianne received her BS in Home Economics from College Misericordia and her MS in Food and Nutrition and route to registration from Marywood University. Her prior work experience includes Clinical Nutrition Manager with Sodexo Marriott Health Care Services and Diabetes Educator with Susquehanna Health System.

Renee Winter-Bertsch, MS, RD, LDN, CDE, Coordinator, Clinical Nutrition Services-Eastern Region

Renee is the Coordinator, Clinical Nutrition Services at Geisinger Wyoming Valley and Geisinger South Wilkes-Barre. She received her Bachelor of Science degree from State University of New York at Oneonta and Masters of Science and route to registration from Marywood University. Prior to joining Geisinger Health System, Renee was Clinical Nutrition Manager at St. Luke's Hospital and Health Network in Bethlehem, PA. Renee also has experience in acute clinical nutrition, outpatient education, and nutrition management from healthcare systems in Maryland and New York. She is a Certified Diabetes Educator.

Kris Danilovitz, RD, LDN, Clinical Dietitian

Kris graduated from the Pennsylvania State University with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Nutrition and a Minor in Exercise and Sport Science. She also completed coursework at Marywood University. Along with her educational experiences, Kris has a special interest in Sports Nutrition and Wellness Promotion.

Jennifer Powers, RD, LDN, Clinical Dietitian

Jennifer provides outpatient nutrition counseling at Geisinger Wyoming Valley and at other Geisinger Medical Groups in the eastern region. She graduated from Penn State University with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Nutrition and completed her dietetic internship at Geisinger Medical Center. She initially worked for RiverWoods, a long term care facility in Lewisburg, PA; she then worked at Sunbury Community Hospital where she was responsible for the nutrition care of skilled nursing care residents, acute care patients, and outpatients, as well as food service management. She has a Pediatric and Adolescent Weight Management Certification from the Commission on Dietetic Registration and a ServSafe Certification from the National Restaurant Association.

Kim Segiel, RD, LDN, Clinical Dietitian

Kim's responsibilities include outpatient counseling and inpatient Medical Nutrition Therapy. She is also a guest lecturer for Wilkes University Pharmacy School. Kim earned her undergraduate degree from the Pennsylvania State University and completed her dietetic internship at Marywood University.

Grace Zeleznock, RD, LDN, CDE, Clinical Dietitian

Grace provides outpatient nutrition counseling and is the dietitian responsible for the Healthy Beginnings Plus program and the Outpatient Pediatric unit at Geisinger South Wilkes-Barre. Grace is also a Certified Diabetes Educator. She earned her college degree from the Pennsylvania State University and completed her dietetic internship at Ingall's Memorial Hospital in Chicago. She is a past recipient of the Recognized Young Dietitian of the Year Award. Grace is a board member of the Northeast Association of Diabetes Educator (NEADE) and an active member of th American Dietetic Associaton Practice Groups in Diabetes and Pediatrics.

Elizabeth Mary Hart, RD, LDN, Clinical Dietitian

Elizabeth is responsible for inpatient care at Geisinger Wyoming Valley Medical Center and also provides patient care at the Henry Cancer Center. With a special interest in oncology nutrition, she has been a guest speaker for numerous organizations discussing nutrition through chemotherapy, radiation, and recovery. Elizabeth completed her Coordinated Undergraduate Program in Nutrition and Dietetics at Marywood University which included her internship during her Junior and Senior years of college.

Geisinger South Wilkes-Barre Medical Center Nutrition Staff

Beth Higgins, MS, RD, LDN, CDE, Clinical Dietitian

Beth's responsibilities include diabetes education, outpatient nutrition counseling and she is the dietitian for the Healthy Beginnings Plus and Pediatric Obesity programs. Beth has a Bachelor of Science degree in Nutrition from Western Carolina University and a Master of Science degree in Human Nutrition from Winthrop University. She completed her dietetic internship at Carolinas Medical Center in Charlotte, North Carolina. Beth is a Certified Diabetes Educator. She has been a speaker at the local, state and national levels on gastroenterology nutrition and enteral feeding for adult and pediatrics. She most recently was involved in the development and implementation of the Nutrition Support Team at the Medical University of South Carolina.

Arlene Kratz, RD, LDN, Clinical Dietitian

Arlene is responsible for providing nutritional care in the Skilled Nursing Unit and also for the Acute Care for the Elderly Program. Her other responsibilities include providing inpatient care on Medical-Surgical floor units. Arlene earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Foods and Nutrition from College Misericordia and completed a one year dietetic traineeship with the Saga Corp as her route to registration.

Gloria Labatch, RD, LDN, Clinical Dietitian

Gloria provides inpatient nutritional management and care of patients in the intensive care and cardiac care units, specifically focusing on education following open heart surgery. She also provides nutritional care to patients on Medical-Surgical floor units. Gloria received her Bachelor of Science degree in Foods and Nutrition from College Misericordia and completed her dietetic internship at Shadyside Hospital in Pittsburgh.