Kenneth Echevarria

About Kenneth

Grew up in the Chicago Suburbs, alumni of Iowa State, now a nature-loving resident of West Virginia. So far, I have almost four solid years of experience working as a dietitian with the Veterans Health Administration. While my strong suits are in helping those with diabetes, obesity, malnutrition, and cancer, I have added experience with heart failure, kidney and liver disease, eating disorders (especially Binge Eating), and IBS. Primarily, I have worked in a residential mental health rehab setting, so I am confident in providing Nutrition Care to those with various mental health conditions, not limited to Bipolar Disorder, Schizophrenia, PTSD, anxiety, and depression. Additionally, in this setting, I have counseled those with past homelessness and various substance use disorders. Given my Masters degree was centered on Kinesiology, I also enjoy coaching my clients through basic exercise guidelines.

Approach to care

Most importantly, I want to make sure you understand the health condition or diagnosis you are wanting me to help treat by providing nutrition care. I have found it very common with past clients to want a "health translator" to explain medical lingo they've heard from their doctor. Next, I believe in transparency and neutrality. All treatments, including nutrition-focused ones, come with pros and cons I must help you be aware of to fit with your lifestyle. With that, I can also given you perspective on how your health behaviors or medications may impact the effectiveness of the nutrition plan we develop together. Last but not least, I am a numbers-driven person. Tracking how numbers (e.g., weight, blood pressure, lab tests) change during and after our time together is vital to assessing your progress. Honorable mention- I hope to learn just as much from our sessions as you. I won't take the role of your dietitian to feel "superior" to you. We are work together to make you healthier!

Your first session with Kenneth

Great healthcare starts with a good intro! I have to learn about you before I can provide you the best of care. Second, let's make sure you understand the pathophysiology (disease process) of the health condition(s) you want me to focus on. Next, lets discuss what your health-centered beliefs and priorities are (aka- why do you want to change?). Then, we will talk numbers! What can we track that we hope can change? Lastly, how can we know we've met our mark and how can we know when you might need to see me or another dietitian again? In summary, my interest is helping those with a variety of health conditions find their unique holistic balance!

Location

📍 Martinsburg, West Virginia

Education

BS- Dietetics (2021), MS- Kinesiology and Exercise Science (2022)

Hobbies

Cooking and baking, hiking, weight-lifting, running, coffee-making, gardening

Licenses and Certifications