Contact: Tim Kershner, Timothy.Kershner@MaineHealth.org / 603-356-5461 ext. 2198
or Carrie Burkett, Carrie.Burkett@MaineHealth.org / 603-356-5461 ext. 2264
North Conway, NH – Donna Dodge, RD, a dietitian new to Memorial Hospital, provides dietetic and nutrition services to patients to improve health outcomes. Dodge joined Memorial in 2024 and has been a registered dietician since 1990. She works with inpatients in the medical surgical and intensive care units, as well as outpatients with medical conditions requiring nutritional support and counseling.
Dodge works closely with patients on goal setting, skill building, and health monitoring. Her services include therapeutic diets, education, counseling, and alternative nutrition therapies such as enteral feeding.
“I see a wide range of patients,” said Dodge. “I frequently see patients with diabetes who have goals around weight loss. Beyond that, it’s often patients with high blood lipids, hypertension, cancer, or digestive issues.” Dodge examines how diet and nutrition can support the patient’s overall health and well-being.
Dodge works in partnership with her patients to create goals to improve or maintain their health. Using evidence-based practices, she considers their specific medical needs and their typical diet and behaviors. From there, she looks at where they can first find success. “We work on realistic goals,” explained Dodge. “I want my patients to feel successful and not get overwhelmed, so we start with something small and achievable.”
For inpatients with medical needs, Dodge meets with them to understand their preferences and priorities and works with nutrition services to ensure a meal plan that aligns appropriately. She often consults with patients who require tube feeding to ensure safe and effective implementation when they return home.
Nutrition Services at Memorial Hospital require a referral. Services can be individualized to achieve specific goals. To learn more about services offered, visit MemorialHospitalNH.org and explore the Nutrition Services page.
###
About Memorial Hospital
Memorial Hospital is a not-for-profit 25-bed Critical Access Hospital located in North Conway, NH, and is a member of the MaineHealth family. Its hospital services include a 24-hour emergency department, surgery center, clinical laboratory, heart health & wellness programs, imaging services, cardiopulmonary care, family birthing center, oncology, chemotherapy and infusion services. Practices include primary care and family medicine, diabetes care, behavioral health, women's health, podiatry, orthopedics and physical therapy. Memorial Hospital is also home to The Merriman House nursing home, which provides senior care services in a comfortable, home-like setting. For more information, www.memorialhospitalnh.org or call 603-356-5461.