Reyna Franco, RDN: Pioneering Nutrition, Wellness, and Dietetic Leadership

Reyna franco, RDN, is a highly accomplished dietitian-nutritionist based in New York City, dedicated to improving health outcomes thru personalized nutrition and a holistic lifestyle approach. A certified specialist in sports dietetics and a certified personal trainer,Franco integrates her extensive knowledge to provide comprehensive care to a diverse patient base.She is a Diplomate of the American College of Lifestyle Medicine and holds a Master’s degree in Nutrition and Exercise Physiology from Columbia University.

A Broad Spectrum of Nutritional Expertise

Franco’s private practice offers medical nutrition therapy addressing a wide range of health concerns. She expertly guides individuals through nutritional strategies for effective weight management, optimal sports nutrition, and the management of chronic conditions such as diabetes,cardiac disease, renal disease, gastrointestinal disorders, cancer, food allergies, and eating disorders. She also specializes in childhood nutrition, recognizing the critical importance of establishing healthy eating habits early in life.

What sets Franco apart is her commitment to culturally sensitive care. She understands that dietary needs and preferences are deeply rooted in cultural traditions and actively incorporates this knowledge into her practice, ensuring that her recommendations are both effective and respectful of her patients’ backgrounds. This approach is notably vital in a diverse city like New York.

Lifestyle medicine: A Core Philosophy

Franco is a strong advocate for lifestyle medicine, an approach to healthcare that utilizes evidence-based lifestyle interventions – including nutrition, physical activity, stress management, sleep hygiene, and social connection – to prevent, treat, and even reverse chronic disease. She believes in empowering patients to take an active role in their health by adopting enduring lifestyle changes, rather than relying solely on medication or other interventions.This philosophy is central to her practice and informs her approach to patient care.

Extending Impact Through Education and Mentorship

Franco’s dedication extends beyond direct patient care. She is a passionate educator and mentor, actively involved in training the next generation of nutrition professionals.She has served as an instructor of sports nutrition to medical students at the Albert Einstein College of Medicine, and has taught life cycle nutrition and nutrition counseling to undergraduate students at LaGuardia Community College. Her commitment to practical training is further demonstrated by her role in precepting nutrition students and interns.

Recognizing a gap in specialized training, Franco spearheaded the creation of the sports nutrition rotation for the New York Distance dietetic Internship program. This initiative provides interns with focused experience in the rapidly growing field of sports nutrition, preparing them to meet the increasing demand for qualified sports dietitians.

Leadership in the Nutrition and Dietetics Field

Franco is a recognized leader within the nutrition and dietetics community, holding key leadership positions at both the national and state levels. She currently serves as the chair of the American College of Lifestyle Medicine’s Registered Dietitian-Nutritionist Member Interest Group, advocating for the integration of lifestyle medicine principles into nutrition practice.

her commitment to professional service is further exemplified by her role as treasurer and secretary of the New York State Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. She has a long history of leadership within the institution,having previously served as past president,awards committee chair,and grant committee chair,among other roles. Franco is also actively involved in the greater New York Dietetic association and the Long Island Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, demonstrating her dedication to fostering collaboration and advancing the profession.

Key Takeaways

• Reyna Franco, RDN, is a leading expert in medical nutrition therapy and lifestyle medicine.
• She provides culturally sensitive care for a wide range of health conditions.
• Franco is a dedicated educator and mentor, shaping the future of the nutrition profession.
• Her leadership roles in professional organizations demonstrate her commitment to advancing the field of dietetics.

Reyna Franco’s career exemplifies a commitment to holistic, patient-centered care and a dedication to advancing the field of nutrition and dietetics. Her work continues to impact the health and well-being of individuals and communities in New York City and beyond.