Cynthia York-Camden MS, RD, LDN is a registered dietitian for Heartland Regional Medical Center (HRMC), Marion, Illinois. She is a native of Southern Illinois but has also lived in other areas of the country including California, Florida and Texas.

Cynthia has 20 years experience in the food service industry serving in all areas of production and implementation. After returning to the Southern Illinois area in 1987, she married her high school sweetheart and returned to college in 1991.

She attended John A Logan College and Southern Illinois University at Carbondale where she graduated summa cum laude with a BS in Food and Nutrition (dietetics). She then went on to pursue a MS in Food and Nutrition (public health nutrition) as part of SIUC's Dietetic Internship Program.

Cynthia has an interest in children's nutrition, having worked as a Nutrition Educator for the Illinois Cooperative Extension Service in Cobden, Illinois. The program included conducting food safety, cooking and nutrition camps for Hispanic children age 4 to 16 in both English and Spanish.

Cynthia also has a strong interest in the elderly, having done volunteer work with a local Widows support group. Her Masters degree research also focused on the needs and habits of home-delivered meal clients served by the St. Louis Area Agency on Aging.

Other professional interests include clinical nutrition, renal nutrition, rehab and development of nutrition education materials.

In 1997 Cynthia was honored as John A Logan College's Pacesetter of the Year, and was nominated to represent the college in the Illinois Community College Teachers Association state Pacesetter competition.

At Heartland Regional Medical Center Cynthia has been involved in many community programs including Senior Fest, Children's Day in the park, Supper Sitters, Diabetes Support Group, Woman's Health Conference, Taste of Home cooking school, Hands of hope, HRMC Supermarket tours, National Nutrition Month 5 K Walk and the Healthy Partners Wellness Program.

Clinical projects include development of consistent carbohydrate patient menus, nutrition support formulary, work with patient education for certification of the HRMC ADA certified diabetes self management program, development of an interdisciplinary food and drug interaction policy, preceptor and mentor for dietetic interns from Southern Illinois University. .

Cynthia is a member of the American Dietetic Association (ADA), the Dietitians in Nutrition Support (DNS), Diabetes Care and Education (DCE), Consultant Dietitians in Healthcare Facilities (CDHF), Medical Nutrition Practice Group  (MNPG).  She is former Treasurer, current website coordinator and President Elect for the Southern Illinois Dietetic Association (SIDA).

She is a also member of community organizations including: Illinois Farm Bureau, Phi Theta Kappa and Golden Key Honor Society.

Cynthia's Nutrition Homepage can be found at Nutrition in Southern Illinois

Send e-mail to Cynthia at:  Cynthia@sinutrition.com