Heidi Ganzer, RDN, LD

Heidi Ganzer, DCN, RDN, CSO, LD, specializes in oncology nutrition.

What is your practice philosophy? To provide guidance and to empower patients to maximize their nutritional wellness (whether in regard to cancer prevention, during treatment, or during survivorship).

What are you passionate about? Food and nutrition! We are what we eat - there is no right or wrong, but one will certainly feel better with healthy nutrition.

If I wasn't a provider, I would be a: Dog foster, dog walker, or hiking guide.

Why did you become a provider? Long story short, I went into oncology very reluctantly, but it is the best thing to ever happen to me! It has led me to a master's and then a doctorate degree with the emphasis on oncology nutrition/research.

Something I have learned from my patients is: Listen to the patients, and make sure I'm asking myself what can I help them with.

One of the challenges of this career that I enjoy is: One can go into a consult fully expecting you know what to cover/discuss, but a patient can take you in a totally different direction (and that's okay!). There are always new advancements in research with oncology, which is very exciting. Hopefully there will be a cure for cancer some day!

My personal health goal is: To try to have a work/life balance.

What is the best thing you've done for your health? I practice what I preach - I try to eat healthy, maintain activity/a healthy weight, and do all preventative screenings that are recommended.

What are you most proud of? Building oncology nutrition programs and doing what I love!

What are a few of your personal achievements? Finishing my MS and DCN degrees, and running 8 marathons.