Laurie has been working as a RD since 2008 after completing the NODIP following a Bachelor of Nutritional Sciences at the University of Prince Edward Island. She has also completed a Master of Public Health from Lakehead University (2019). She has been privileged to work in a variety of practice settings in Ontario, Nova Scotia, and Prince Edward Island including a family health team; hospital inpatients and outpatients; long-term care; preschool nutrition policy; community health research; sessional nutrition lecturer; and outpatient clinical prenatal, postpartum, and pediatrics. She is a past Board member of CHANCES Family Center and an active member of the PEI Basic Income Guarantee Working Group. She is also the current President of the Primary Care Dietitian Association (PCDA) and co-facilitator of the PCDA Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Committee.

Currently, Laurie works as a Project Coordinator with UPEI Health Research Network. She is also a private practitioner for clinical nutrition consulting in long-term care facilities on PEI. As a proud mixed-race Lebanese Canadian, she has been dedicated to gaining perspectives of diversity, equity, and inclusion in all areas of her life. She is also a co-founder and member of the newly formed Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI) health research committee within the research network which works to uphold EDI practices across all health research activities in collaboration with various Island community organizations.

Originally from Timmins, Nicholas completed his bachelor of Nutrition and Dietetics at Western University in 2020. Wanting to return to Northern Ontario, Nicholas completed the Dietetic Practicum Program in 2021, allowing him to gain valuable experience in a myriad of clinical settings.

Nicholas began his dietetic career working at the Timmins Diabetes Education Centre where he focused on pediatrics, gestational diabetes, and complex adult patients with type 2 diabetes. Nicholas obtained his Certified Diabetes Educator (CDE) designation in 2023 and is a Certified Insulin Pump Trainer for Northeastern Ontario.

Through diabetes, Nicholas was able to find his current dietetic passion of nephrology. Nicholas now works at Health Sciences North’s (HSN) regional nephrology program, working on an interdisciplinary team that provides both in and outpatient care to their patients. Nicholas also provides renal nutrition education and support to HSN’s satellite locations Kapuskasing and Elliot Lake.

Originally from Ottawa, Jessica completed her undergraduate degree from Brescia in 2012. Jessica had been living in North Bay for 10 years and planned to stay in the North before she applied to NODIP. She completed her internship, based out of Sudbury, in 2012-2013. Jessica is currently working at the North Bay Parry Sound District Health Unit as a public health dietitian. Jessica is passionate about the work of food systems and the amazing community partners she learns from. She works closely with many related organizations, including the Nourish collaborative. Jessica is a valued preceptor and workshop facilitator for NOSM University learners and represents Public Health RDs on the NODIP Committee.