Alumni Spotlight

Laurel Mason MacKenzie

Laurel Mason MacKenzie received her undergraduate degree in Family and Consumer Science/Nutrition from Meredith College in 1987 and completed her dietetic internship at ECU in 1998. She’s held positions in public health, NC Cooperative Extension Nutrition Programs, and NC Division of Prisons. The longest stint of her career, beginning in 2007, has been 7 years of employment at Vidant Beaufort Hospital in Washington, NC with responsibilities in outpatient counseling, cardiac rehabilitation, oncology and inpatient clinical practice. During this time, she received her certifications in Adult Weight Management and diabetes education. Through the years, she became the Clinical Nutrition Manager. In 2016, she joined Medtronic, Inc as the Diabetes Clinical Manager for eastern NC. She provides support and education to people with diabetes as they transition to better health with insulin pump and continuous glucose monitoring therapies. Laurel enjoys running, martial arts, cycling and being a friend to her two grown children and doting husband.

Janet S. McKee

Janet S. McKee completed her Bachelor’s in Science in Home Economics Education in 1980, and her Master’s in Food, Nutrition and Institutional Management from East Carolina University in 1983. Janet is the owner and President of Nutritious Lifestyles, a food and nutrition consulting company that provides services to 38 states through its team of 120 RDNs, LDNs, NDTRs, Chefs and Certified Dietary Managers. Ms. McKee is a nationally recognized speaker, nutrition expert and resident/patient care advocate. She has served as Chair of Florida’s Dietitians in Health Care Communities and on the Nominating Committee for the national Dietitians in Health Care Communities, as well as President of Orlando’s Dietetic Association and the Association of Food & Nutrition Professionals’ Professional Development Committee. Ms. McKee is currently a member of the Academy of Nutrition & Dietetics’ Think Tank. She is happily married with three beautiful boys. Ms. McKee visits Greenville, NC often to visit ECU and her aging parents.

Colleen Doorhy

Colleen Doorhy, MS, RD, LDN received her BS in Biological Sciences and MS in Nutrition Sciences at North Carolina State University. Colleen completed her Dietetic Internship through East Carolina University in Fayetteville, NC. She became a Registered Dietitian in August 2015. Colleen worked for 1.5 years as a clinical dietitian for Lincare, providing comprehensive hands-on education and support for feeding-tube dependent patients. Colleen is currently employed by UNC Physicians Network and provides nutrition counseling to patients seen at Chatham Primary Care and Chatham Medical Specialists. She enjoys helping patients develop healthy lifestyles through changes in behavior and diet. Colleen is working towards the goal of earning her Certified Diabetes Educator certification.

Gwyn M. Thompson

Gwyn M. Thompson, RDN, LDN is currently a Nutrition Specialist II at ECU Health Wellness Nutrition Clinic. Prior to this position, she worked at Vidant Medical Center as a Clinical Dietitian. She received her BS in Nutrition at ECU in 2001. She spent nine years in food, restaurant equipment, and advertising sales. During her time with Sysco Foodservice, she received the “Gainer” award for the most New Business out of 130 sales representatives. She returned to the field of nutrition in January 2010 as a Clinical Diet Technician at ECU Health Medical Center, then completed the dietetic internship program and became a Registered and licensed Dietitian. At ECU Health Medical Center she has worked in Internal Medicine, Behavior Health, Cardiac, Nephrology and observation units. She also taught the nutrition lecture for the Diabetes Core curriculum for nursing education. She now works full-time at Vidant Wellness Center in the outpatient nutrition clinic. In her spare time, she enjoys running, the outdoors, music, cooking and spending time with her husband and their two girls (11 and 2).

Stephanie Kinner

Stephanie works full-time as an Out-Patient Dietitian at a multi-disciplinary weight management center for Carolinas Healthcare System in Charlotte. As a center of excellence for bariatric surgery, clients include both pre-bariatric surgical patients and patients who are seeking medical weight loss options (aged 6 and older.) She also works part-time at the Piedmont Residential Development Center doing care plans, diet orders, menus, and reviews for developmentally delayed and multi-handicapped children and adults. Stephanie completed the BS, dietetic internship and MS programs at ECU, following her first career in graphic design.

Terah Goad

Upon completion of the MS-DI program at ECU, Terah Goad accepted a position as clinical dietitian with Cone Health in Greensboro, NC. After a year, she moved to Charlotte’s Carolinas Healthcare System and focused on gastrointestinal diseases and nutrition support. Four years later, after discovering her passion of preventive health, Terah left to pursue private practice with another colleague. She now provides personalized nutrition counseling to private clients as well as corporate accounts in the Charlotte region. Terah recently obtained her CPT and is now able to help clients work toward fitness goals. In 2015, she completed CDR’s Adult Weight Management Program, in 2016, she was named one of Charlotte’s top 30 leaders under 30, and remains active in Charlotte’s Dietetic Association.

Kyle Gifford Newton

Kyle R. Newton graduated from East Carolina University with a BS in Nutrition & Dietetics in 2003 and continued with her Internship with ECU via the Pitt County Track. After completion of her internship and obtaining her license, she worked in Kinston, NC, for two years, helping to support people with development and intellectual disabilities. She and her husband moved to Virginia Beach, VA in 2006 where they have a wonderful, active life. Kyle continues to work with those with intellectual disabilities as a clinical dietitian for the State of Virginia and has been working at Southeastern Virginia Training Center for 11 years. She enjoys helping both individuals and staff lead healthy lives through food and wellness. When she is not working, she enjoys time with her two children (5 and 4), husband and puppy. She plays kickball and enjoys the beach as often as she can, never taking life for granted.

Ashley Bailey

Ashley Bailey completed her BS in Nutrition & Dietetics in 2009, the Dietetic Internship in 2010 and an MS in Nutrition in 2010 from East Carolina University. Ashley now lives in Raleigh, NC with her husband and young son and works in corporate wellness as a nutritionist for SAS Institute, Inc. She is also a certified Biofeedback Instructor and has a Certificate of Training in Adult Weight Management. Ashley also creates blogs and videos for the SAS Life blog series. Outside of work, Ashley enjoys spending as much time at the beach, running, cooking and crafting.

Lizzy Kroeger

Lizzy Kroeger completed the BS and MS/DI programs at East Carolina University from 2009 to 2015. While in the program, she developed a strong relationship with a mentor who opened her eyes to the research world. After graduation, Lizzy followed this passion for research all the way to Birmingham, Alabama. Now, a PhD student in the Department of Nutrition Science at the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB), she is training to develop statistical prediction models that will be used as tools for community nutrition interventions. After this chapter is complete, she hopes to obtain a post-doc position, with the long-term goal of obtaining a tenure track faculty position that will allow her to both teach and conduct research.

Jillian Urig Hyttenhove

Jillian Urig Hyttenhove attended Bowling Green State University in Bowling Green, OH, graduating with a BS in Dietetics and a minor in Public Health. She completed the dietetic internship at ECU and became a Registered Dietitian in July 2012. Upon graduation, Jillian began working at Nash Health Care, part of UNC Health Care, in Rocky Mount. She serves as the lead bariatric dietitian for Nash Surgical Weight Loss Center. She also serves on various committees for employee wellness initiatives, providing education for community seminars, and developing materials for a range of programs at Nash. Jillian’s passion for her patients and her programs is seen in her dedication and drive for constant quality improvement. When she is not busy with work, Jillian loves trying out new recipes, blogging, and DIY craft projects.

Chaundra Evans

Chaundra Evans, RD, LDN, is a registered dietitian who focuses on building a healthy relationship with food, body image and improving eating habits using a non-diet approach. She has received invaluable training and experience in counseling clients with eating disorders and the bariatric population. Nutrition sessions may include learning intuitive and mindful eating skills, meal planning, strategies for grocery shopping, meal outings and facilitating a normal approach to achieving a balanced style of eating. Her goal is to empower clients to make healthier choices by using a more holistic approach, bringing clients in tune with mindful and intuitive eating skills through compassion and empathy. She earned a B.S. in Dietetics, along with a Gerontology Certification, from Indiana University of Pennsylvania and completed the accredited internship program through ECU. She has a certificate of Training in Adult Weight Management from the American Dietetic Association; she is an associate member of the American Society for Metabolic & Bariatric Surgery as well as a member of the Obesity Action Coalition. Mrs. Evans has been practicing at the Chrysalis Center for Counseling and Eating Disorder Treatment for over 10 years and teaches pre-op bariatric nutrition classes for Coastal Carolina Surgical Associates and Miles Surgical.

Stacey Bala

I am originally from Poughkeepsie, NY, and graduated from East Carolina University in 2012. I completed the Dietetic Internship at ECU in May of 2013 and became a Registered Dietitian in July of 2013. I also finished my Master’s degree in May of 2014. I now live in Raleigh, NC where I am a clinical dietitian for Duke Regional Hospital in Durham, NC. I am currently a dietitian for the telemetry unit and Rehabilitation Institute at the hospital. I really enjoy being a clinical dietitian; every day is new and exciting and I love seeing my patients’ health improve!

Kelly Shoulars Garrett

Kelly Shoulars Garrett received her BS in Nutrition Science from East Carolina, followed by her Dietetic Internship through East Carolina University in New Bern, NC and earning her MS in Nutrition Science. Kelly became a Registered Dietitian in June of 2013 and holds a Certification as a Lactation Consultant through Healthy Children’s Center for Breastfeeding. She is employed at Boulder County Public Health in Boulder, Colorado as a High-Risk Dietitian where she counsels nutritionally at-risk low-income women and their families. She enjoys making nutrition education easy, interesting, practical and fun! When Kelly is not at work she enjoys spending time with her family and friends. She has a passion for being outdoors and enjoys hiking, biking, and camping around Colorado.

Alanna Sandry

I am originally from Monroe, WI, graduating from Ball State University in 2011 and moving to North Carolina the following fall to be with my now husband, Josh. I finished my ECU internship in May of 2013 as well as my Master’s degree.

We now live in Aberdeen, NC where I am a clinical dietitian for Morrison Management Specialists, working at Scotland Memorial Hospital in Laurinburg, NC and Sandhill’s Regional Medical Center in Hamlet, NC. I’m really enjoying being a dietitian and cannot wait to see where this career takes me! I have Celiac disease, and have been gluten free my whole life, so I love to cook and bake new things all the time. My husband and I welcomed a precious baby boy, Harrison, into our family at the beginning of February. He joins our two cats. We also love to travel and most of all, spend time with our son!