Jody Herman, MS, RDN, CEDRD
Clinical Manager
Registered Dietitian Nutritionist
Jody Herman is a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist with a background in eating disorders, substance use and mental health diagnoses as well as food allergies. Beginning her dietetics career in the mental health field, Jody has provided individual and group counseling with nutrition education for clients, as well as pre-professional adolescent dancers. She has worked with eating disorders and mental health treatment centers in the Greater Los Angeles area including Breathe Life Healing Centers and La Ventana. Formerly a Professional Dancer, Jody discovered her passion for nutrition to improve quality of life and performance longevity, leading her to dietetics. Continuing her journey, she graduated with her Masters of Science from Drexel University in Philadelphia and completed a Distance Dietetic Internship through Priority Nutrition Care in Southern California. With her passion for working closely with individuals to encourage self-efficacy and confidence in their relationship with the nutritive value of food and their bodies, Jody is excited to work with Bamboo Nutrition Therapy to support the philosophy and vision of the founder and company.
Veronica Buacharern, MS, RDN
Registered Dietitian Nutritionist
Veronica is a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist experienced in working with individuals from different socioeconomic circumstances, co-occurring mental and substance use disorders, and chronic medical conditions. She completed her graduate degree from Cal State LA and her Dietetic Internship through the VA of Greater Los Angeles Healthcare System. She has worked and volunteered with veterans, individuals with eating disorders, and homeless rehabilitation centers, including the VA Medical Center in West LA, Rosewood Centers for Eating Disorders, La Ventana Treatment Programs, and LA Mission. Eating disorders do not discriminate and affect people of all ages, backgrounds, races/ethnicities, and gender identities. Veronica is passionate about serving marginalized communities in the Greater Los Angeles area, especially those who struggle with their food and body relationship. She strives to help clients rediscover their inner body wisdom through embodiment approaches while nourishing their bodies in sustainable ways.
MelindaNewberry MS, RDN
Registered Dietitian Nutritionist
Melinda Newberry is a recent graduate of D’Youville College with a BS/MS in Nutrition and Dietetics and a prior BS in Health Science from Cal State Fullerton. Melinda is a Double Gold Medalist with US Figure Skating and currently still trains on the ice in her spare time. Her thesis was presented at the New York State Nutrition and Dietetics Conference 2021 titled Assessing the Sport Nutrition Knowledge And Perceived Self Efficacy And Knowledge of Nutrition Knowledge of Figure Skating Coaches. Growing up in the aesthetic sport culture of figure skating, has led Melinda to seek a career as a dietitian to help others heal their relationships with food in order to become their best selves. She has previous experience working with patients one on one, telehealth, acute care, sports nutrition and food service. She also speaks conversational Japanese and enjoys cuisines from all over the world. Melinda is excited to join the team of dietitians at Bamboo Nutrition Therapy Inc.
Alana Todd, MS, RDN
Registered Dietitian Nutritionist
Alana Todd is a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist from Kaneohe, Hawaii. She graduated with a Master's in Nutrition from Case Western Reserve University and a Bachelor's of science in both Psychology and Dietetics from Oregon State University. After completing her dietetic internship through the Louis Stokes Cleveland VA Medical Center, she spent some time as a clinical outpatient dietitian in Honolulu, Hawaii, providing individualized medical nutrition therapy counseling for a diverse population. Alana is passionate about integrating mental health with nutrition and eating habits and strives to educate individuals on the concepts of mindful and intuitive eating. Her specific interests include eating disorders, weight management, diabetes, renal nutrition, sustainable eating, and combating food waste. She is looking forward to applying her skillset, passions, and support at Bamboo Nutrition Therapy.
Anna Lucas-Zimmer, RDN
Registered Dietitian Nutritionist - Eligible
Anna Lucas-Zimmer is an aspiring Registered Dietitian Nutritionist, who completed her Bachelor’s degree in Food and Nutrition, Dietetics, as well as her Dietetic Internship program from California State Polytechnic University of Pomona. Anna plans to complete her Master’s Degree in Nutrition Psychology and become a Certified Eating Disorder Specialist (CEDRD) in the near future. Anna’s passion is to promote health and wellness through dietary and nutrition care, while educating individuals, community, and healthcare professionals about the importance of intuitive and mindful eating. Anna is thrilled to be with such an amazing clinical team at Bamboo Nutrition Therapy and will impact many lives that walk through our door.
Rebecca Yadegari, MS, RDN
Registered Dietitian Nutritionist
Rebecca completed her Master's in Nutrition Science at Cal Poly Pomona where she defended her thesis research on the gut-brain connection. Her passion for well-being began with a journey of self-healing, which led to her strong belief in the power of nutrition and the mind-body connection. Growing up in a Middle Eastern household, Rebecca has seen how important it is to make meal times a positive experience. She has worked with clients in eating disorder treatment centers and those struggling with their physical, mental and spiritual health. She mostly spends her free time around live music or in nature, and one of her personal goals is to visit every national park in America.
Chelsey Kitazawa, MS, RDN
Registered Dietitian Nutritionist
Chelsey received her Bachelor’s degree in psychology from Pitzer College and her Master’s degree in Nutrition from Loma Linda University. She holds experience performing medical nutrition therapy at multiple hospitals and in treatment facilities as a diabetes educator and as an eating disorder specialized dietitian. She believes that our relationship with food plays a critical role in physical, emotional, social, mental and spiritual health. Knowing what to eat to be balanced is only one piece of the puzzle. The real challenge is creating and sustaining motivation to foster lifelong habits for wellness. Nutrition starts with the relationship that we have with ourselves. In her free time, she hangs out with her tortoises and makes miniature houses.
Molly Goldring, RDN
Registered Dietitian Nutritionist
Molly Goldring is a committed and passionate clinician from the greater Los Angeles area. She received her bachelor’s of science degree in food and nutritional
science from San Diego State University and completed her dietetic internship at Pepperdine University. Throughout her schooling, Molly gained skills in motivational interviewing and medical nutrition therapy, working with various disease states such as
cancer, diabetes, and gastrointestinal disorders. Molly has experience in working at eating disorder treatment centers and believes in the power of intuitive eating and an all-foods-fit mentality. Molly values empowering her clients and guiding them to gaining a healthy relationship with their body and food. In her spare time, Molly loves reading books and going to live music events.
Karah Lewis, RDN
Registered Dietitian Nutritionist
Karah is an RDN from Ventura with a life-long passion for food and helping others. She earned her Bachelor's degree in Nutrition, Dietetics, and Food Science from California State University, Northridge (CSUN). Karah continued her education at the University of Connecticut (UConn), completing both a Master's degree in Health Promotion and her Dietetic Internship. She spent her time in academia working and volunteering at Center For Discovery, CSUN's Marilyn Magaram Center, VA Greater Los Angeles and Connecticut Healthcare Systems, Connecticut Foodshare, UConn SNAP-Ed, and Salvation Army Food Pantry. Those experiences have allowed her to gain the knowledge and skills necessary to work with diverse populations, including young children, veterans, and individuals with eating disorders and substance use. Karah aims to continue providing the kind of care that resonates with all communities, especially to historically marginalized groups. Through that work, she hopes to promote self-care, health, and wellness in a feasible and meaningful way. Upon moving back to the San Fernando Valley, Karah plans to prepare for her registration exam, spend time with loved ones, and catch up on LA's amazing food and culture.
Lauryn Woodruff, RDN
Registered Dietitian Nutritionist
Lauryn Woodruff is a Registered Dietitian with a background in community nutrition, and poverty and hunger relief. She earned her B.A. in International Studies from American University and went on to join AmeriCorps for two years in Washington, D.C. serving low-income populations before returning to school to pursue nutrition and dietetics. She received her B.S. in Food and Nutrition from the University of Maryland, College Park, and while there, developed a strong interest in nutrition counseling. She completed her Dietetic Internship with Virginia Tech. Lauryn loves nutrition counseling, building relationships with clients, and works from a weight-inclusive and Intuitive Eating paradigm. Lauryn's passion for nutrition is deeply rooted in her community nutrition and non-profit background. Lauryn is a San Fernando Valley native and when she is not working you can find her playing with her dog, checking out new restaurants with her partner, gardening or swimming at home.
Bernadine Alaniz, RDN
Registered Dietitian Nutritionist
Bernadine Alaniz is a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist with experience in practical family meal planning, nutrition education for transitional housing adults and pregnant teens, Head Start family counseling, and a passion for working with all eating disorder types. She completed her Bachelor’s degree in Dietetics, Nutrition, and Food Science at California State University, Northridge, and a dietetic internship with Priority Nutrition Care Distance Dietetic Internship. Bernadine believes that each individual is unique and understands the importance of personalized care. She is dedicated to providing families and individuals with tailored intuitive eating care delivered with empathy, equity, and an all-foods-fit understanding. Bernadine spends her free time with her family, watching scary movies, reading books, riding roller coasters, and going on road trips.