Spotlight on a Member: Lauren Cotti, RDN, LDN

Lauren Cotti image

What is your position on the WAMDA board, and how long have you been involved with WAMDA?
I am the Road Race Chair-one this year. This is my second year on the WAMDA board but I have been a WAMDA member or attended WAMDA events since 2016.

How did you become interested in the field of nutrition?
Nutrition is a second career for me. I originally graduated with a business degree. I worked for a big corporation for a couple years and realized that I wasn’t going to feel fulfilled in my career unless I was able to help people. I chose the nutrition field because I truly believe that improving one’s nutritional quality of life is key to the prevention and management of chronic illness.

Where do you currently work, and what is your favorite part about your job? What do you find most challenging?
I currently work at Baystate Medical Center as an inpatient clinical dietitian. I work primarily with GI surgery patients so I do my fair share of TPN/PPN consults. I find management of parenteral nutrition to be the most challenging aspect of my job but it is also my favorite part.

What interests and hobbies do you have outside the workplace?
Outside of work I spend as much time as I can with my little family which consists of my boyfriend Brian and our dog Obi. We love to take Obi hiking, swimming, or to the dog park. I also enjoy doing special effect and costume makeup as a hobby. I try to do at least 3-4 different looks every October/Halloween.

Give one random fact about yourself!
The Lauren IPA from Amherst brewing company is named after me!