The Chronic Kidney Care Program at Montefiore Medical Center, part of the Montefiore Einstein Division of Nephrology, proudly announces the recent addition of a full-time renal nutritionist to its multifaceted care team. Ms. Georgette Goldson, MS, RD, CDN, joined the Chronic Kidney Care Program’s staff of nephrologists, social workers, registered nurses, and care coordinators.
Ms. Goldson brings over 30 years of experience as a clinical dietitian, including fifteen years as a clinical dietitian and head administrative dietitian at Jacobi Medical Center, and eighteen years as chief clinical dietitian, director of food services, and regional dietitian for Sound Shore Health System. Included in her tenure is thirteen years working with dialysis patients. Ms. Goldson completed bachelor’s and master’s degrees in food and nutrition at Lehman College. She is a trained educator for the National Kidney Foundation, a certified dietitian nutritionist, and a member of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, New York State Dietetic Association, and the Long Island Dietetic Association.
Georgette Goldson, MS, RD, CDNRoughly 26 million adults nationwide demonstrate some evidence of chronic kidney disease (a gradual loss of kidney function over time), and over half a million Americans require kidney dialysis or transplantation. The Chronic Kidney Care Program is a multidisciplinary intervention for patients with advanced chronic kidney disease who are being prepared for end-stage renal disease (ESRD), when the kidneys are no longer able to work at a level needed for daily life. ESRD in the Bronx is 1.4 times higher than the national average.
In addition to specialized nephrology care, the Chronic Kidney Care Program provides patients with overall care coordination by a nurse practitioner, education, medication evaluations, geriatric and palliative care assessments, navigation through the treatment options of ESRD including dialysis and kidney transplantation, and dietary counseling. As a certified dietitian nutritionist, Ms. Goldson helps determine patients’ nutritional needs, develop individualized meal plans, and identify support for shopping and cooking when necessary.
Tanya S. Johns, MD"Our patients from the Bronx are uniquely challenged in incorporating lifestyle and diet changes that their whole family will accept, while adhering to the complex nutrition recommendations for chronic kidney disease," Ms. Goldson said. "By teaching them how to read and understand nutrition facts on food labels, and directing them to community resources to self-manage their disease, I help CKD patients understand how making good food choices and changing their lifestyles can slow the progression of their disease." (full article)
"We are very excited to have our own dedicated renal nutritionist in the program," said Dr. Tanya Johns, Assistant Professor of Medicine (Nephrology) and Medical Director of the Chronic Kidney Care Program. "Diet is a very important aspect of chronic kidney disease management, and having Ms. Goldson on board helps us to provide more comprehensive care to our patients."