Kalli N. Castille, MS, RD, CSO, LD – Director of Nutrition & Metabolic Support and Food Services
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“Our goal is to build the patient’s immune system to help prevent common side effects of traditional treatment, as well as prevent malnutrition,” says Kalli Castille, Director of Nutrition and Metabolic Support and Food Services at CTCA at Southwestern Regional Medical Center.
A registered and licensed dietitian, Castille earned her Master of Science and Bachelor of Science degrees in nutritional sciences and health care administration from Oklahoma State University.
At Southwestern, Castille leads a team of experienced nutritionists, including six registered and licensed dietitians. What makes her team unique, Castille says, is that they specialize in oncology and they take a proactive approach to nutritional care. Their goal for patients is to help strengthen the body’s immune system by teaching good nutrition and setting goals based on the patient’s individual needs.
Since joining CTCA over six years ago, Castille says she has been impressed with the support the Nutrition Department has received from CTCA administration—and the shared belief that nutrition truly makes a difference. Castille says CTCA encourages her department “to learn as much as we can to provide our patients with the most up-to-date scientific information and research.”
Castille and her team are dedicated to helping patients stay strong and nutritionally balanced so their conventional treatment is not interrupted. When patients first arrive at Southwestern, they meet with a nutritionist from Castille’s team. The nutritionist will assess the patient’s nutritional status and develop a personalized, comprehensive nutrition assessment and plan. The focus is on the patient’s individual needs.
Additionally, Castille and her team closely follow each patient throughout their care. “We see our patients through everything, from the moment they walk in the door, through all treatments (i.e., surgery, radiation, chemotherapy), and even in remission. We follow our patients closely,” Castille says. The nutrition team also communicates regularly with patients’ oncologists and other members of their care team.
Castille says patients at Southwestern benefit from the individualized assessments and personal diet plans. She points out that her team has “the opportunity to work directly with our world-class chef, creating recipes and meals to incorporate all the foods, herbs and spices that have been scientifically proven to be beneficial to people with cancer.”
By teaching good nutrition during cancer treatment, Castille and her team take the guesswork out of which foods to eat and which supplements to take. Aside from individual meetings with patients, the nutrition team provides continued support through education, including programs and classes on topics such as cooking at home, finding food products in your area, and the relationship between a healthy diet and wellness.
At CTCA, the patient comes first, always. Castille’s belief in this philosophy resonates when she is asked what she likes best about working here: “I love the patients and families. We have the best patients; it makes my job so easy.”
In June 2008, Castille was named president-elect of the Oklahoma Dietetic Association (ODA), where she has been a member since 2001. The position is a three-year commitment. Castille will serve as president in 2009 and as past-president in 2010. The ODA has more than 700 members.
Other Nutritionists/Dietitians at Southwestern
- Allisha Aguayo, RD, LD, MS
Dietitian - Katie Crews, RD, LD, MS
Dietitian/Nutritionist - Andrea Reser, RD, LD
Dietitian/Nutritionist - Jessica Smith, RD, LD, MS
Dietitian/Nutritionist
