Objectives

• Review the impact of nutrition in improving patient outcomes
• Demonstrate how nutrition can play a role in quality improvement initiatives
• Discuss how interdisciplinary teams can partner to improve patient care processes

Speakers

Thomas Summerfelt, PhD
President, North America, Convergence CT
Former Vice President of Research, Advocate Health Care

Dr. Thomas Summerfelt, PhD, is the President, North America at Convergence CT, which works collaboratively with health care providers, life science companies, and payers to leverage real world data within their Global Healthcare Data NetworkTM to improve outcomes for stakeholders across the healthcare ecosystem, especially patients. Prior to this role, Dr. Summerfelt was the Vice President of Research& Innovation at Advocate Health Care, where the team conducted clinical research aimed at improving patient and provider system outcomes. Dr. Summerfelt earned his PhD from Vanderbilt University and focused his doctoral and post-doctoral training on Health Services Research. He has held faculty appointments at Vanderbilt, Michigan State, and University of Chicago. His scholarly work focuses on effectiveness research, program evaluation, and value-based analysis.

Tracy Smith, PhD, RD, LD
Senior Clinical Manager, Abbott Nutrition

Dr. Tracy R. Smith is Senior Clinical Manager at Abbott Nutrition. In her position, Dr. Smith is responsible for developing and executing programs to educate healthcare professionals and researchers about the science behind Abbott’s nutrition products and the health economic impact of nutrition intervention. She has presented numerous domestic and international continuing education programs and educational lectures related to the role of nutrition in the changing healthcare environment, and clinical topics related to muscle health, malnutrition, and health outcomes. She started her career as a scientist at Abbott Nutrition in 2002 and has worked in Research and Development, Abbott Nutrition Health Institute, Therapeutic Nutrition Marketing and Strategic Sales.

Dr. Smith earned a Ph.D. in human nutrition from The Ohio State University, as well as a Master of Science in nutrition and a Bachelor of Science in dietetics from Ohio University. She has been a member of the American Dietetic Association and Ohio Dietetic Association since 1987.

Prior to joining Abbott Nutrition, Dr. Smith was director and assistant professor of dietetics at Zane State College, a lecturer in the nutrition department at The Ohio State University and adjunct faculty in the school of nursing at Capital University. Her clinical background includes work in intensive and cardiac care, diabetes, and oncology. She also developed and conducted community wellness and nutrition programs, including adult and child weight management and hospital-based fitness programs. Dr. Smith is a frequent speaker and lecturer for Abbott Nutrition.

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