Kelly Green Corkins, MS, RD, LDN, CNSC
Clinical Dietitian at LeBonheur Children’s Hospital in Memphis, TN
Why did you become interested in nutrition support?
I started my career in long-term care and had quite a few tube fed clients. I enjoyed calculating feedings and adjusting the feedings as needed. It wasn’t until I worked at the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP) that I had an opportunity to work with parenteral nutrition and a nutrition support team. Being a valued member of the healthcare team was the hook for me.
What is your favorite aspect of being a member of A.S.P.E.N.?
I enjoy the relationships with other professionals. Not only are the people great resources but great friends. I also have limited access to references so having access to JPEN and NCP is valuable for me. Those journals keep me up to date so that I can be a valued resource on rounds.
Tell us about your career pathway and how you got to where you are now?
I started out in long-term care facilities and had a pediatric facility for which I was responsible. I always knew I wanted to work with children. I then went back to school full time to complete my Master’s degree and internship. During the time I worked at the pediatric facility I would contact a dietitian at CHOP if I needed some guidance. After I completed my internship, I was hired at CHOP and stayed for about 5 years and worked with several different specialties. I left pediatrics for a year and was a Nutrition Support Dietitian in a trauma ICU at a hospital in Trenton, NJ. Pediatrics was in my blood and so my next job was Outpatient Pediatric Specialist Dietitian at the Children’s Hospital of New Jersey.
I left clinical nutrition for several years and worked as a sales representative for Nestle Infant Nutrition. I was promoted to Associate of Medical Education and Professional Relations and was responsible for reviewing sales materials for accuracy of information and I represented Nestle at professional meetings. In addition, I was responsible for the Speakers Bureau. This is when my career takes a personal turn. I met my husband, Mark Corkins, who is another active member of A.S.P.E.N. I moved to Indianapolis from Los Angeles and began working at IU Health Homecare as their first dietitian. Mark and I moved to Memphis for his career. I tried a year as a stay-at-home mom and realized I needed to work, so I came full circle and am back in the critical care setting as a Pediatric Clinical Dietitian in the Cardiovascular ICU, which is the unit I started in at CHOP many years before.
What is your proudest moment as a nutrition support dietitian?
I have to say that some of my proudest moments are when I see a success of one of the students I worked with over the years. Most recently I was asked to write a review article for NCP and I am proud of the fact that I was asked.
What advice do you have for dietitians entering the field of nutrition support?
Stay a member of the national professional organizations and make sure to join and be active in the local ones. Not everyone has the money to attend national meetings every year but if you can, attend Clinical Nutrition Week. Attend as many of the local meetings as you can. The important thing is to network. Introduce yourself to the speaker at the local meeting. Introduce yourself to the president or chair of the local organization. Get involved. Find a mentor. Many times this can be someone you work with. Sit down regularly and review a tough case or just pick their brain on something. Share what you think and see if your mentor has an experience that might help.
What do you do to relax?
Huh? I had to look up the definition of the word “relax.” I have a wonderful husband who has a taxing job and is very active in several professional organizations, including A.S.P.E.N. We have 2 beautiful daughters from his first marriage who keep us busy and proud. We also have a spunky and sweet 5 year old daughter who keeps us tired and on our toes. We love to travel as a family and spend time with our family. I am very protective of Friday nights at our house. It is family pizza and a movie night and we all put our PJs on and eat pizza and popcorn and watch a kid friendly movie together and act silly. My hobbies are crafty in nature. I like to sew and decorate our home. I also like to read mystery stories. Most of all I like to spoil all the kids/babies in our lives with books and other fun things.
