Page 31 - Today's Dietitian (March 2020)

Scott Kimner, MPH, RD, LD Lee Tincher, MS, RDN
Senior Account Manager With Patient Care President of Meals for All, Inc, in Sacramento, California
America in Pompano Beach, Florida
Because of Lee Tincher, the health
Scott Kimner is a care community is better equipped to
leader in malnutrition handle the needs of residents during
and renal nutrition in natural disasters. Tincher founded
the state of Georgia. an emergency preparedness company
He’s known for always that’s changing the way health
going the extra mile care facilities serve meals during
to make a difference emergencies.
in patients’ lives. He Since becoming a dietitian in 1977,
organizes educational she’s dedicated her entire career to
opportunities while assisting health care communities to
increasing awareness improve the quality of life for patients,
of these specialties residents, and elders. Tincher knew the profession was her destiny
through his involvement in the National Kidney from the time she was just 12 years old, when a home economics
Foundation (NKF) at the state level. teacher told her about dietetics.
As a successful account manager with Patient Positions she held, such as corporate dietitian and self-employed
Care America (headquartered in Florida, with his consultant, helped develop Tincher’s business skills, leading her to
territory in Georgia), Kimner has built a strong become the second dietitian to own Nutricopia (formerly Health-
rapport with fellow dietitians and patients. He’s care Management Composite), a dietitian consultation service that
also involved in volunteer work. Kimner is serv- provides comprehensive menu and recipe systems to hundreds of
ing a second term as chair of the Georgia Coun- health care facilities and small hospitals. This includes comput-
cil of Renal Nutrition (GCRN), a chapter of the erization, menu support materials, regulatory compliance policy
NKF. His chapter recently was chosen as one of and diet manuals, in-service education, and supervision/train-
the best in the nation. Kimner personally has ing of dietitians specializing in long term care. The business grew
been responsible for growing the local chapter to become the largest private employer of dietitians in California.
because he always asks everyone he meets and After seeing the devastation of Hurricane Katrina on television,
speaks with whether they’ve signed up for GCRN. Tincher searched for a better way to provide nutritionally adequate
Kimner also participates regularly in NKF walks meals during emergencies. In 2013, she founded Meals for All, Inc,
and connects patients with the Atlanta Commu- and, in 2016, she sold Nutricopia on its 40 anniversary to focus all
th
nity Food Bank by giving them a voice at GCRN of her efforts on emergency preparedness.
meetings. He also orchestrates “Lobby Days” in “In California, we experience a lot of disasters—from earth-
dialysis centers where food bank staff members quakes to fires and floods,” Tincher says. “I’ve been part of evacu-
share their services and network with dietitians. ations of long term care facilities, including a massive evacuation
Kimner’s outgoing and positive attitude also to a sports stadium where everyone was fed hot dogs. I just knew
extends to his relationships with patients. Of there had to be a better way.” Not finding the nutritious products
the challenges Kimner faces in his day-to-day facilities needed, Tincher created a turnkey program specifically for
work, he says helping patients translate educa- health care that includes creating the formulations, specifications,
tion into actionable steps is his biggest, as the labeling, quality assurance, distribution, and marketing for meals.
renal diet can be difficult to follow and some- Becoming a food manufacturer meant learning an entirely new
times overwhelming. However, he’s found that set of nutrition and business skills—and taking much risk. The
taking a creative and interactive approach to result is an innovative solution that not only saves time and money
learning about the diet makes it less formidable. for facilities during emergencies but also gives everyone peace of
He has organized what’s called Patient Apprecia- mind knowing that nutritional needs will be properly met. With the
tion Days and played games such as High Phos- use of freeze-dried and dehydrated foods, the meal system Tincher
phorus, High Potassium, or High Protein Bingo developed saves approximately 33% of the storage space of tradi-
or handed out fun quizzes to help make the tional emergency food supplies. Today, there are more than 5 mil-
information more understandable and easier for lion emergency meals created by Meals for All supporting health
patients to remember. With these efforts, he’s care facilities across the United States and in most US territories.
having a tremendous impact on patients’ quality Tincher also is a sought-after speaker and author and has
of life and overall health. been elected to serve on various committees at state and national
“I’ve found that bland education just doesn’t levels. She’s well regarded for her focus on compliance and quality
work—nor does focusing on everything the assurance and was selected to serve on several quality assurance
patient can’t have instead of what they can have,” and regulatory committees for California health care facilities. n
he says. “Changing my approach has helped me
really connect with patients with the hope of Lindsey Getz is an award-winning freelance writer based in Royersford,
making a difference.” Pennsylvania.
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