To use this website, you must agree to Palomar Health’s Terms of Use.
View Terms of Use

Scroll to Read Entire Document

By using this website, you agree to Palomar Health's Terms of Use:

Last Updated October 17, 2023

By using this website, you agree to the following Terms of Use. If you do not agree to all of these terms, please do not use this website. Palomar Health reserves the right to change, modify, add, or delete portions of these Terms of Use at any time, including to the arbitration and class waiver provisions identified below. Your continued use of this website following any changes to the Terms of Use will mean that you accept those changes. Please refer to the date listed above to determine when the last changes were made. Please read carefully below regarding your rights with respect to disputes, which includes an agreement to resolve disputes by arbitration on an individual basis.

Use of Personal Information/Privacy:

This website is owned and operated by Palomar Health, a public health district in California. By using this website, you agree that Palomar Health may monitor your use of this website and may use the results of such monitoring without limitation.

During your visit to our website, we may request information from you, such as your name, email address, physical address, telephone number and other personal information. Further, we will collect any other personal information you share with us.

Personally identifiable information may be collected from visitors to our website and provided in an aggregate form to other parties within the Palomar Health family, or external to it, for marketing, advertising or other similar uses. Third parties may monitor your use of this website.

We provide several ways to e-mail us with questions you may have as you navigate our website. Please note that any information sent through an e-mail message is unsecured and can be seen on computers which transfer data from your computer to Palomar Health. We recommend that you do not email sensitive personal health information, or any other confidential information, to Palomar Health or anyone else. Should you choose to provide information in this manner, you do so at your own risk.

For further information regarding Palomar Health’s Privacy Policy, which is incorporated into these Terms of Use by reference, please review: https://www.palomarhealth.org/privacy-information/

Cookies:

Please be aware that your browser must be enabled to accept cookies for you to use certain areas of our website. A cookie is a piece of data that a web server stores on your hard drive so that it can be retrieved later. Other than as discussed above, we do not use this information for any other purpose. All of the information Palomar obtains from you is stored in our database and may be retrieved by people who are gathering that information. A cookie containing your unique ID is all that is stored on your computer.

Copyright:

  1. Ownership: In general, information presented on this web site, unless otherwise indicated, is considered in the public domain. It may be distributed or copied as permitted by law. However, Palomar Health does make use of copyrighted data (e.g., photographs or other materials) which may require additional permissions prior to your use. Palomar Health shall have the unlimited right to use for any purpose, free of any charge, all information submitted via this site, except those submissions made under separate legal contract. Palomar Health shall be free to use, for any purpose, any ideas, concepts, or techniques contained in information provided through this site.
  2. Permission May Be Required From Other Parties: This website may include copyrighted materials owned by third-party contributors who have granted Palomar Health permission to post those materials on this website. The fact that Palomar Health has permission to post the materials does not give you the right to use those materials. To use any copyrighted material that is not owned or created by Palomar Health, you must seek permission directly from the owning or holding sources.

Trademarks:

“PalomarHealth.org,” “Palomar Health,” and all logos related to Palomar Health’s services are either trademarks or registered trademarks of Palomar Health or Palomar Health’s licensors. You may not copy or otherwise use them without Palomar Health’s prior written consent. In addition, all page headers, custom graphics, button icons, and scripts are similarly protected and you may not copy, imitate, modify or use them without our prior written consent. You may use HTML logos provided by Palomar Health for the purpose of directing web traffic to Palomar Health. You may not alter, modify or change these HTML logos in any way, use them in a manner that misrepresents Palomar Health or its services or use them in a manner that implies Palomar Health’s sponsorship or endorsement, unless so authorized in writing by Palomar Health.

You must be over 13 to use this Website:

This website is intended for use by people age 13 or older. If you are younger than 13, you should seek permission from your parent or guardian to use this website and any information submitted on your behalf to this website must be by a parent or guardian.

Content of this Website Is for Informational Purposes Only – No Medical Diagnosis or Advice is Given:

The content and materials provided in this website are for informational and educational purposes only and are not intended to supplement or comprise a medical diagnosis or other professional opinion, or to be used in lieu of a consultation with a physician or competent health care professional for medical diagnosis and/or treatment.

PALOMAR HEALTH DOES NOT GUARANTEE THE ACCURACY, TIMELINESS OR COMPLETENESS OF SUCH INFORMATION AND CONTENT AND MAKES NO WARRANTY, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, REGARDING THE USE OF SUCH INFORMATION AND CONTENT. PALOMAR HEALTH ASSUMES NO LIABILITY OR RESPONSIBILITY WHATSOEVER OF ANY KIND FOR THE INFORMATION OR CONTENT CONTAINED IN THE WEBSITE, OR FOR ANY DIAGNOSIS OR TREATMENT MADE IN RELIANCE THEREON.

PALOMAR HEALTH DOES NOT GUARANTEE THE CONFIDENTIALITY OR RELIABILITY OF ANY COMMUNICATIONS MADE THROUGH THIS WEBSITE. THE INTERNET SHOULD NOT BE USED TO TRANSMIT ANY SENSITIVE OR CONFIDENTIAL INFORMATION TO PALOMAR HEALTH, AS OTHERS MAY INTERCEPT THE INFORMATION. ADDITIONALLY, INFORMATION TRANSMITTED TO PALOMAR HEALTH VIA ELECTRONIC MEANS TO THIS WEBSITE MAY NOT BE RECEIVED AT ALL, MAY NOT BE RECEIVED OR REVIEWED IN A TIMELY MANNER, OR MAY BE RECEIVED BY THE WRONG PARTY.

Linked Sites:

The Palomar Health Website contains links to external websites which may be useful to you and which may provide services. These links are provided as an information service only. It is the responsibility of the user to evaluate the content and usefulness of information obtained from other websites. Linking to another website takes you away from the Palomar Health Website and subjects you to the privacy policy of the new website. Palomar is not responsible for the content of any external website. Palomar Health will not be liable in any way for any external website, including, without limitation, for any loss or damage of any kind incurred as a result of your use of the such sites. You agree that you must evaluate, and bear all risks associated with the use of any external website, including, without limitation, any reliance on the accuracy, completeness or usefulness of the material contained therein.

Third Party Advertising:

Third parties may offer goods and services to you through marketing that is made available at or through this website. Unless otherwise expressly stated, Palomar Health makes no endorsement regarding such parties, nor does Palomar Health make any representation, recommendation or warranty with respect to these third parties’ goods, services or advertising. You agree to hold Palomar Health harmless in connection with the selection of third party advertisers, as well as their acts and omissions.

Disclaimer of Warranties:

All materials on this website are provided “as is” and Palomar Health expressly disclaims any and all warranties of the material provided herein, expressly stated or by implication, including any: (i) implied warranties of design, merchantability, or fitness for a particular purpose or title, (ii) warranties arising from a course of dealing, usage or trade practice, and (iii) warranties of non-infringement.

No oral or written information or advice given by Palomar Health in connection with this website will create any warranty.

Palomar Health does not warrant or promise that the functions contained in any of the services or products provided on this website will meet your requirements, or that the operation of any such services or products will be uninterrupted or error-free, or that defects in any such services or products will be corrected, or that this site or the server that makes it available are free of viruses or other harmful components. Furthermore, Palomar Health does not warrant or make any representations regarding the use or the results of the use of any such services or products in terms of its correctness, accuracy, timeliness, reliability or otherwise.

(State Limitations)

Some states do not allow the exclusion of implied warranties, so some of the above exclusions may not apply to you. You should check your local laws for any restrictions or limitations regarding implied warranties.

(User Information, Data, and Content)

PALOMAR HEALTH ASSUMES NO LIABILITY OR RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE INFORMATION, DATA OR CONTENTS GENERATED BY YOU IN CONNECTION WITH THIS WEBSITE OR SERVICES. PALOMAR HEALTH EXERCISES NO AUTHORITY OVER SUCH INFORMATION, DATA AND CONTENTS, DOES NOT REVIEW OR MONITOR SUCH INFORMATION, DATA AND CONTENTS, AND WILL NOT BE LIABLE OR RESPONSIBLE FOR DETERMINING THE ACCURACY, TIMELINESS, COMPLETENESS, APPLICATION OR CORRECT USE THEREOF.

Limitations on Damages

BY USING THIS WEBSITE YOU AGREE THAT PALOMAR HEALTH SHALL NOT BE LIABLE FOR ANY DIRECT, INDIRECT, INCIDENTAL, SPECIAL, CONSEQUENTIAL OR PUNITIVE DAMAGES THAT RESULT FROM THE USE OF, OR THE INABILITY TO USE, THIS WEBSITE.

Arbitration

  1. Affects your and our rights and will impact how claims between you and us are resolved;
  2. Includes a Prohibition of Class and Representative Actions and Non-Individualized Relief pursuant to which you agree to waive your right to participate in a class action lawsuit against us;
  3. Requires you to follow the Opt-Out Procedure to opt-out of these arbitration provisions by mailing us a written notice that must be postmarked no later than 30 days after the date you accept these Terms of Use for the first time.

If a dispute arises between you and Palomar Health, our goal is to learn about and address your concerns. If we are unable to do so to your satisfaction, we aim to provide you with a neutral and cost-effective means of resolving the dispute quickly. Disputes between you and Palomar Health should be reported to Palomar Health according to the provisions of the Government Claims Act, California Government Code section 810, et seq. All notices under the Government Claims Act, section 910 et seq. should be directed to:

Attn: Government Claims Act
Secretary of the Board of Directors of Palomar Health
2125 Citracado Pkwy, Suite 300
Escondido, CA 92029

In the event that resolution under the presentation requirements of the Government Claims Act is not successful in resolving your claim, you agree to abide by the following:

  1. Arbitration Agreement: To the maximum extent permitted by law, you and Palomar Health each agree that any and all disputes or claims that have arisen or may arise between you and Palomar Health, including without limitation federal and state statutory claims, common law claims, and those based in contract, tort, fraud, misrepresentation or any other legal theory, will be resolved exclusively through final and binding arbitration. This agreement to arbitrate is intended to be broadly interpreted. The Federal Arbitration Act governs the interpretation and enforcement of this agreement to arbitrate.
  2. Arbitration Venue: Following the procedures set forth in the Government Claims Act, either you or Palomar Health may initiate arbitration. You and Palomar Health each agree to use JAMS (https://www.jamsadr.com/) and to submit any demand for arbitration through JAMS’ process. You and Palomar Health agree to the jurisdiction of the JAMS arbitrator over any dispute between you and Palomar Health, unless you and Palomar Health agree otherwise in writing. If JAMS is not available to administer the dispute, you and Palomar Health agree to use an arbitrator from the American Arbitration Association (https://www.adr.org/).
  3. No Class Actions: To the maximum extent permitted by law, you and Palomar Health agree that each of us may bring claims against the other only on an individual basis and not as a plaintiff or class member in any purported class or representative action or proceeding. Unless both you and Palomar Health agree otherwise, the arbitrator(s) may not consolidate or join more than one person’s or party’s claims and may not otherwise preside over any form of a consolidated, representative or class proceeding. Also, the arbitrator(s) may award relief (including monetary, injunctive and declaratory relief) only in favor of the individual party seeking relief and only to the extent necessary to provide relief necessitated by that party’s individual claim(s) and in keeping with the damages limitations in the Limitations on Damages section above.
  4. Arbitration Procedures: Arbitration is more informal than a lawsuit in court. Arbitration uses a neutral arbitrator or arbitrators instead of a judge or jury, and court review of an arbitration award is very limited. However, the arbitrator can award the same damages and relief on an individual basis that a court can award to an individual. All issues are for the arbitrator to decide, except that a court of competent jurisdiction may decide issues relating to arbitrability, the scope or enforceability of this agreement to arbitrate, or issues that these Terms of Use indicate that a court can resolve.

Any arbitration will be administered by JAMS, a well-respected arbitration and mediation service. For all claims in which the value of the relief sought is $10,000 or less, JAMS’ Streamlined Arbitration Rules and Procedures, as modified by these Terms of Use, will apply without exception unless otherwise agreed to in writing by both you and Palomar Health. For all other claims, JAMS’ Comprehensive Rules, as modified by these Terms of Use, apply. All of JAMS’ rules are available on their website at https://www.jamsadr.com/adr-rules-procedures/.

The arbitrator must decide the substance of all claims in accordance with applicable law, including recognized principles of equity, and will honor all claims of privilege recognized by law. No court or arbitrator is bound by rulings in prior arbitrations involving different users of Palomar Health’s website, except that a court or arbitrator will be bound by rulings in prior arbitrations involving the same Palomar Health website user, to the extent required by applicable law. The award of the arbitrator shall be final and binding, and judgment on the award rendered by the arbitrator may be entered in any court having jurisdiction thereof.

  1. Arbitration Costs: Payment of all JAMS or arbitrator fees will be governed by JAMS’ rules, unless otherwise stated in these Terms of Use. If you are able to demonstrate that the costs of accessing arbitration will be prohibitive as compared to the costs of accessing a court for purposes of pursuing litigation on an individual basis, Palomar Health will pay as much of the JAMS or arbitrator fees as the arbitrator deems necessary to prevent the cost of accessing the arbitration from being prohibitive. Any request for payment of fees by Palomar Health must be submitted by mail to JAMS along with your Demand for Arbitration. In the event the arbitrator determines that either the substance of your or Palomar Health’s claim or the relief sought was frivolous or brought for an improper purpose, then you or Palomar Health may seek to recover from you or Palomar Health any fees paid, including attorneys’ fees, to the extent permitted by JAMS’ rules and applicable law.
  2. Severability: You and Palomar Health agree that all of the terms in these Terms of Use are severable. You and Palomar Health agree that, if a court decides that any part of these Terms of Use is invalid or unenforceable, the other parts of these Terms of Use still apply. You further agree that, if any disputes are determined by a court not to be subject to arbitration, then those disputes must be severed from any other disputes and may be litigated in court, with the remaining claims heard in arbitration.
  3. Choice of Law: You agree that, except to the extent inconsistent with or preempted by federal law and except as otherwise stated in these Terms of Use, the laws of the State of California, without regard to principles of conflict of laws, will govern these Terms of Use and any claim or dispute that has arisen or may arise between you and Palomar Health.

Opt-Out Procedure: You can choose to reject the arbitration provisions of these Terms of Use by mailing us a written opt-out notice. The opt-out notice must be postmarked no later than 30 days after the date you accept these Terms of Use for the first time. You must mail the opt-out notice to:

Attn: Opt-Out Notice
Secretary of the Board of Directors of Palomar Health
2125 Citracado Pkwy, Suite 300
Escondido, CA 92029

Your opt-out notice must contain the following information: Your name, your address, and the first date after August 11, 2023, on which you first accessed Palomar Health’s website. PLEASE NOTE: You must sign the opt-out notice for it to be effective. This procedure is the only way you can opt out of the arbitration provisions of these Terms of Use. Please note that even if you opt out of the arbitration provisions of these Terms of Use, all other parts of the Terms of Use continue to apply.



    Food and Nutrition Team

    Food and Nutrition Team

    Javier Guerrero – Operations Manager, Palomar Medical Center Escondido
    Javier has worked for Palomar Health since 1995 at various campuses. He has been promoted through the ranks from food service worker, assistant cook, cook, lead, supervisor and Operations Manager at Palomar Medical Center Poway. He now oversees the Food & Nutrition Services as Operations Manager at Palomar Medical Center Escondido. His experience includes retirement facilities, restaurants and hospitals. He received a degree in Criminal Justice Administration and graduated from the Palomar Police Reserve Academy. Prior to Palomar Health, he worked as a Code Enforcement Officer for the North County Transit.

    Supervisors: Escondido Campus

    Gelita Bain – Supervisor Patient Services
    Gelita Bain has more than 20 years of successful managerial and leadership experience in Food Service, the last 10 years here with Palomar Health. She was instrumental in the opening of the Palomar Medical Center Escondido and the new Patient Room Service. A highly dedicated and contributing individual who is known for going above and beyond the regular duties dedicates the time and effort necessary to achieve results and patient satisfaction.

    Julie Stavros – DTR, Nutrition Services Supervisor
    Julie started her career in Food Service over 20 years ago landing her first job in 1993 as a Food Service Director at a Psychiatric Hospital in Westchester County NY. When she had enough of the cold New York winters Julie moved to California and started as the Food Service Director at the San Francisco Women and Children’s Hospital. Next, as the Director of Dining Services with Morrison Senior Living, Julie knew that she wanted to be working with the elderly. Julie worked at numerous Long Term Care Facilities/Retirement homes and enjoyed working with the residents by holding baking classes, Nutrition Jeopardy, giving tours of the food service operation and conducting monthly Food Forums with the residents. In 2014 Julie decided that she wanted to live in San Diego and became a Food Service Manager at the Eating Disorder Center at UCSD in La Jolla. Palomar Health invited Julie to join their team in 2017 as the Nutrition Services Supervisor. She is dedicated patient satisfaction, food service safety, and high quality care. Dedicated to improving the patient experience, she enjoys every opportunity to make meaningful connections with patients. When not at work Julie loves mountain biking, hiking, and is a committee member on the Logistics Team for the North County Alzheimer’s Association.

    Tina Koenig – Food Service Operations Supervisor
    Tina started in Healthcare as a CNA and HHA; she used her professional skills and compassion to work as a caretaker for all of her grandparents. She started in food service as a “trainer of trainers” in the retail grocery business. Her passion for taking care of others led her to Palomar in 2000 where she started in trayline and catering. She has worked in patient services, as a cook, and as a Café lead as she assumed greater responsibility in FANS and is now the Supervisor of Dietary Operations.

    Pedro Tolentino – Production Supervisor
    Pedro is a passionate, devoted, and self-taught Sous Chef, he began working in the restaurant industry in 2006. Pedro has worked at multiple establishments in different capacities in food service including as a waiter and dishwasher and he worked his way up to lead cook positions. During his food service journey, Pedro fell in love with the culinary culture and realized that cooking was his passion. Cooking for Palomar Health at the Poway campus nurtured his passion and  he developed a desire to challenge himself to make healthcare food a better experience for patients. He strongly believes that food is more than just a meal; but a way of nourishing and healing the body and the soul.  As Production Supervisor at Palomar Medical Center Escondido he continues to pursue his love for culinary and healthcare.

    Dragana Lekovic – Retail Supervisor

    Kelly Layne – Retail Supervisor

    Palomar Medical Center Poway

    Khristina Teope – Food & Nutrition Operations Manager, Palomar Medical Center Poway
    Khristina started her career with Palomar Health in 2014 as a Patient Services Supervisor in Nutritional Services at Palomar Medical Center Poway and was promoted to Food & Nutrition Operations Manager at Palomar Medical Center Poway. She has held many roles in food service operations throughout San Diego County which including food service worker, diet clerk, prep cook, and line cook and kitchen leadership. She has a Bachelor’s Degree of Science in Food and Nutrition from San Diego State University. She is a certified Food Safety Manager and holds a Plant Based Nutrition Certification.

    Jose Ramirez – Production & Café Supervisor
    Jose started his food service career with over 10 years in restaurants before joining Palomar Health in 2012. His experience leading in kitchens as a sous chef helped him swiftly earn the role of Café Lead at the Escondido location which led to his current role as Dietary Supervisor at the Poway campus. Jose’s passion is creating classic food with a healthy twist. Overseeing the Retail Café, he enjoys promoting wellbeing through food to the hospital staff and surrounding community.

    Melvin Serrano – Patient Services Supervisor
    Melvin Serrano started in 2007 with Palomar in the Downtown Food Service operation. At the new Palomar Medical Center he was promoted to a Lead position and is now the Supervisor of Patient Services for the Poway Hospital and Villa Pomerado. Melvin enjoys providing exceptional customer service and has a passion for helping patients heal with nutritious and delicious meals. Melvin holds a Bachelor’s degree in Political Science from Cal State San Marcos.

    Dietitians

    Shara Damle, MS, CNSC (Certified Nutrition Support Clinician), RDN, District Clinical Nutrition Specialist
    Shara has worked at Palomar Health since 2008 beginning at Palomar Continuing Care Center and then was promoted to Clinical Nutrition Specialist in 2013. She has worked as a clinical dietitian in hospitals since 1994 and also has worked as a consulting dietitian in long-term care facilities and Hospice. She also has experience in critical care and general clinical nutrition. She received her Bachelor’s degree in Food and Nutrition and her Master’s degree in Clinical Dietetics from Maharaja Sayajirao University, Baroda, India. She completed her Dietetic Internship at VA Medical Center, San Diego. Shara enjoys teaching Indian Classical Dance in her spare time and travelling around the world with her husband and 2 children.

    Selene Caputo, MS, CNSC, RDN
    Selene has worked for Palomar Health since 2005. Her areas of interest and specialty are in critical or intensive care of medical, surgical and trauma patients as well as diabetes management & Neonatal intensive care work. Prior to joining Palomar Health, she worked in public health nutrition and then as consulting dietitian for assisted, LTC and subacute facilities. She received her Bachelor of Science and Master of Science degrees and completed her Dietetic Internship in Foods & Nutrition at the University of the Philipines in Diliman,Metro Manila. She enjoys gardening and travelling. Her best stress reliever is spending time with her dogs.

    Eva Chin, RDN
    Eva has worked at Palomar Health since 2005 and currently works as a Clinical Dietitian at all 3 campuses. Her areas of interest are geriatrics, diabetes, and nutrition support. She has also worked as a consulting dietitian at long term care facilities and adult day centers. Eva received her Bachelor of Science degree in Dietetics and completed her Dietetic Internship at San Francisco State University.

    Maria Cordero, RDN
    Maria started at Palomar Health as a Foodservice Supervisor from 1999-2005. Became a Registered Dietitian from 2005-present. She received her Bachelor of Science degree in Foods and Nutrition and completed her Dietetic internship at St. Scholastica’s College Manila, Philippines. She recently was conferred Certified Culinarian by Escoffier International Culinary Academy in January 2014. Maria acquired the title Chef RD.

    Kelli Gecewicz, MS, RDN
    Kelli has been working at Palomar Health since 2018; she has been a dietitian for 13 years and enjoys working in a variety of inpatient settings including critical care and trauma. Kelli earned her Bachelor’s Degree for Cal Poly Sn Luis Obispo and her Master’s Degree from Boston University. She enjoys spending time with her family and friends. Her other interests include running, travel, and entertaining.

    Erin Goulette, MS, RDN
    Erin received her Master’s Degree in Nutritional Sciences and completed her Dietetic Internship at San Diego State University. She has worked as a dietitian in health care since 2002 and her area of interest is critical care nutrition.

    Chelsey Harrison, RD, CNSC, RDN
    Chelsey has worked for Palomar Health since 2003. She received her Bachelor of Science Degree in Dietetics and Food Administration, and completed her Dietetic Internship at California State University Long Beach.

    Kerin Holland, MS, RDN
    Kerin has her Masters Degree in Nutrition from San Diego State University, and completed her Dietetic Internship at the University of Arizona in Tucson. She also has a Bachelors Degree in Business Administration from Northeastern University in Boston. She enjoys working with many different patient populations. Kerin also enjoys running, cooking, traveling, staying active and spending time with her family.

    Katy Kaufman, MS, RDN
    Katy has worked as a clinical dietitian with Palomar Health since 2016. She has her master’s degree from San Diego State University and completed her dietetic internship at the VA Los Angeles Healthcare System. She loves spending weekends by the beach or traveling and exploring new restaurants with friends.

    Stacey Kong, MS, RDN
    Stacey began working at Palomar Medical Center Escondido in 2018.  She earned her Bachelor’s degree at University of Illinois at Urbana Champaign.  She completed her dietetic internship with University of Wisconsin Hospital and Clinics, and received her Master’s degree in Clinical Nutrition at University of Wisconsin Madison.  Stacey is a cat lover and has two cats: Sum Sum and Po Po.

    Janet Liu, RDN
    Janet has been working for Palomar Health since 1998. She has been in the position of Clinical Dietitian for Palomar Medical Center Poway since 2005. She has a Bachelor of Science Degree in Dietetics, and a Bachelor of Business Administration Degree from University of Wisconsin – Madison. She completed her Dietetic Internship at Porterville State Hospital in California.

    Ashley Luciano, RDN 
    Ashley earned her Bachelor of Science in Foods and Nutrition from San Diego State University and completed her dietetic internship at the University of Arizona Medical Center. She began working at Palomar Medical Center Escondido in 2015. When Ashley isn’t working, she enjoys going to the beach, hiking, cooking, and taking cat naps.

    Marisa McBride, RDN
    Marisa was born and raised in North County San Diego and has worked for Palomar Health since 2002. She worked many years with the geriatric population in Long Term Care, both for Palomar Health and Consulting.  She is now primarily at Palomar Hospital Escondido and enjoys the acute care setting.   She received her Bachelor of Science Degree in Clinical Nutrition from the University of California at Davis, and completed her Dietetic Internship at Loma Linda University. Her hobbies include surfing, photography, and traveling with her family.

    Virginia Ruble, RDN
    Virginia has been a Clinical Dietitian at Palomar Medical Center Poway since 2004; she completed her bachelor’s degree in Foods and Nutrition from San Diego State University in 2003, and finished her supervised practice program in dietetics at SDSU in 2004. Virginia was raised in Williamstown, Massachusetts, and finished high school in San Diego. Virginia enjoys spending her personal time traveling and spending time with her husband and daughter, Nikki. Her hobbies include volunteering for Labsnmore.org dog rescue, baking, sewing, college football, and movies.

    Margaret Shirkey, RDN 
    Margaret attended San Diego State University where she obtained a Bachelor’s of Science Degree in Food and Nutrition; she completed her dietetic internship at the V.A. San Diego Healthcare System. In 2013 Margaret graduated from the San Diego Culinary Institute. Margaret lives in Fallbrook with her 3 dogs, 2 goats, husband, and son.

    Denise Sievering, MA, RDN
    Denise graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Nutritional Sciences from Rutgers University in 2016, followed by completion of the Dietetic Internship program at New York Presbyterian Hospital (NYP). Prior to joining Palomar Health, she was a staff-relief dietitian at NYP-Columbia University Medical Center, primarily covering oncology units. Prior to pursuing a career in dietetics, she earned a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology in 2005 and a Masters Degree in Mental Health Counseling in 2008. She practiced as a Mental Health Counselor in New York and New Jersey, specializing in substance abuse, suicide risk assessment and prevention. In her spare time, Denise enjoys traveling, and spending time with her rescue dog, Ripley.