Molly Romero
Who I am and why I do this
HI! I’m Molly and I am a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist (RDN/LDN), Certified Diabetes Care and Education Specialist (CDCES) and Certified LEAP Therapist (CLT). My focus is helping you feel your very best by taking a functional approach to nutrition and your health.
Growing up, I was an incredibly picky eater living in a world constantly bombarded by fad diets and people struggling with poor self-esteem and feeling crummy, my diet oscillated between ‘diet foods’ and junk foods. It wasn’t until summer camp during high school when my roommate was newly diagnosed with type 1 diabetes that everything changed. I found myself pouring over her carb counting books and playing “Guess the blood sugar” after meals, witnessing firsthand the profound impact of nutrition on our bodies. This experience sparked my fascination with the connection between food and overall health.
Motivated to understand why so many people around me were unsatisfied with their meals and overall well-being, I embarked on a mission to incorporate more fresh foods into my diet and learn how to prepare them in a way that worked for me. This shift involved moving beyond my usual special K, ramen noodles, and diet sodas to embrace a wider variety of fruits, vegetables, and lean proteins accompanied by regular movement. The result? More energy, clearer skin, and an overall improved sense of well-being.
Since then, my mission has been to eliminate ‘diet culture’ and promote the importance of balance to find a true quality of life.
Education Journey
Since I began my academic journey at the University of Central Arkansas in 2007, where I pursued a degree in Family and Consumer Sciences with a specialization in nutrition, my career has taken me on a dynamic path shaped by diverse experiences across the healthcare landscape.
During my undergraduate years, I gained invaluable hands-on experience working in the hospital kitchen at Conway Regional and delivering patient meals at Baptist Health Medical Center.
Upon completing my Bachelor’s degree, I started at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences for a Master’s Degree in Clinical Nutrition. I worked as a diet technician and graduate assistant at that time. Little did I know that UAMS would lead me to meet my now husband and that together we would venture to Seattle, Washington.
Once in Seattle I worked as a diet technician at the University of Washington for Medical Sciences and was fortunate enough to complete my dietetic internship through Iowa State University while at the UWMC. In 2015 I became a Registered Dietitian. My first roles as an RD included providing pre and postoperative care to patients undergoing bone marrow transplant, solid organ transplant, gastrointestinal, and bariatric surgeries at UWMC.
After another cross-country move, we landed in Miami, and in 2017 I began at the Miami Transplant Institute as their outpatient clinical dietitian for heart, lung, kidney, pancreas, and liver transplant programs. After three wonderful years there, we made yet ANOTHER cross-country move – back to Arkansas, where I wanted to start a family.
In 2019, I started back at Baptist Health Heart Failure and Transplant Institute. In 2023 I became a certified diabetes care and education specialist and in 2024 I became a certified Leap therapist.
I am excited to bring my expertise and passion for nutrition to my private practice, where I look forward to helping you achieve your health and wellness goals with holistic personalized care.
Education and Credentials
Bachelor of Science – Family and Consumer Sciences – Emphasis in Nutrition, University of Central Arkansas (2011)
Masters of Science – University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences (2013)
Dietetic Internship – Iowa State University (2015)
RDN – Registered Dietician (2015)
CSOWM – Certified Specialist in Obesity and Weight Management (2019 – 2023)
CDCES – Certified Diabetes Care and Education Specialist – (2023)
CLT – Certified Leap Therapist (2024)
