Meet Our Team of Expert Registered Dietitians

Dietary Difference's expert registered dietitians team brings deep industry knowledge, forward-thinking strategies, and a passion for improving care. We don’t just consult—we innovate, educate, and lead with purpose. Every member is dedicated to making a measurable impact.

Leadership Team

Lynn Dowd – Raising the Bar in Nutrition Consulting Since 1988

With over 30 years of success in Food and Nutrition Services consulting across Central and Southern Ohio and remote national support, Lynn Dowd is a trusted leader in long-term care. Known for her results-focused approach, she delivers clinical, operational, and financial improvements at every facility she works with.

In 1988, Lynn founded Dietary Difference® to address the gaps in traditional consulting—offering better service, deeper clinical expertise, and a commitment to accountability that sets a new standard in the industry.

What sets Dietary Difference® apart?

✅ Unequaled Customer Service – Responsive support from frontline staff to executive leadership

✅ Accountability-Driven Results – A “first things first” system that focuses on weight protocols, survey readiness, and real outcomes

✅ Experienced LTC Consultants – Only seasoned long-term care professionals with deep clinical expertise

✅ Ongoing Management Oversight – Active partnership with leadership to ensure alignment and results

✅ Proprietary Tools & Systems – Including the Dietary Difference App and Waste-Related Cost Reduction Program

✅ Customized Integration – Tailored strategies that enhance workflows, reduce waste, and optimize spending

✅ Survey & Compliance Expertise – Expert guidance for strong clinical outcomes and regulatory success

✅ Revenue-Driving Reimbursement System – Our Nutrition Reimbursement Optimization Program maximizes MDS coding and clinical documentation to secure payments that stand up to utilization reviews

Facilities that partner with Dietary Difference® don’t just meet expectations—they exceed them.

Lynn Dowd, MEd, RD, LD

Owner & President, Dietary Difference®

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🌟 Rosey Hooton brings unmatched dedication and versatility to her role as Vice President.
💪 Known for her strong work ethic and sharp attention to detail, she’s a driving force both behind the scenes and in the field.
📘 Brings deep expertise in clinical nutrition and operations.
🧑‍🏫 Leads staff onboarding and training, ensuring every new team member meets high standards from day one.
🔧 Maintains a proactive, client-first mindset that keeps operations running smoothly and efficiently.
📋 Plays a central role in refining clinical protocols, ensuring survey readiness, and mentoring staff.
🏆 A key part of what makes Dietary Difference® stand out—and an incredible asset to every client we serve.

Rosey Hooton, DTR

Vice President, Dietary Difference®

📅 25+ years in long-term care, blending deep clinical insight with forward thinking solutions

🧠 Known for her resident-centered approach and ability to bridge healthcare, tech, and systems improvement

📱 Leads development of our proprietary nutrition-focused app—enhancing features, workflows, and user experience

📋 Drives policy development, compliance, and quality improvement to keep clients ahead of industry standards

‍🏫 Actively supports staff training and implementation of smarter systems across care teams
⚙️ Passionate about efficiency and impact—making processes smarter, not harder

🎯 Her behind-the-scenes work leads to smoother operations, stronger outcomes, and better experiences for both staff and residents

Jericha Bair, MEd, RD, LD

Education & Quality Improvement Specialist, Dietary Difference®

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Deborah Halvorson, BS, RD, graduated Summa Cum Laude from the University of Cincinnati’s College of Allied Health Sciences in 2013. As a “non-traditional” student, she brought years of life and work experience to her academic journey.

Deb joined Dietary Difference® straight out of college and has had the privilege of working closely with Lynn for nearly her entire professional life. Together, they’ve contributed to the development of many of the company’s policies, procedures, and training resources that support consistent, high-quality service across all of our partner facilities.

As Manager of Food Safety & Client Operations, she leads with a focus on compliance, follow-through, and results. She’s actively involved in implementing and supporting food safety protocols, integrating technology systems, and ensuring seamless client communication. She takes pride in helping facilities implement our tools and recommendations effectively—because success isn’t just about identifying opportunities, it’s about following through with solutions that work.

Deb holds very high standards for herself, but her approach is encouraging, respectful, and grounded in collaboration.

Having worked exclusively in long-term care, she has a deep respect and affection for our older residents. Their safety, dignity, and quality of life are always at the center of her work. Our motto— “Our Partnerships Improve Outcomes” guides her interactions every day and is her greatest source of professional satisfaction.

Deborah Halvorson, RD, LD

Manager of Food Safety & Client Operations, Dietary Difference®

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Teena Pacheco is a highly experienced Registered Dietitian with over a decade of experience in clinical nutrition, long-term care, and healthcare food service management. She brings a compassionate, evidence-based approach to nutritional care.

At Dietary Difference®, Teena plays a key role in helping facilities achieve excellence in resident care, survey readiness, and regulatory compliance. She specializes in comprehensive nutritional assessments, individualized care planning, and interdisciplinary coordination—ensuring that nutrition strategies are not only effective but seamlessly integrated into broader clinical goals.

Teena’s deep knowledge of state and federal regulatory standards, paired with her ability to translate best practices into actionable protocols, makes her an invaluable asset to the clients she serves. She consistently delivers tailored, outcomes-focused solutions that support everything from weight management and wound healing to supplement reduction and chronic disease management.

Her work is distinguished by a thoughtful, collaborative style and a consistent drive to elevate the quality of nutritional care across healthcare settings—hallmarks of the Dietary Difference® promise.

Teena Pacheco, RD, LD

Regional Dietitian Manager

Our Consultants

Hi! I’m Chloe, a Dietitian based in Northwest Ohio, and I’ve been working in long-term care for the past five years. I love what I do—especially helping residents feel their best and stay well-nourished later in life. Nutrition plays such an important role in aging, and it’s really rewarding to support people in ways that truly impact their health and quality of life.

Chloe Bechdolt, RD, LD

Consultant Dietitian

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Tracey is a Registered Dietetic Technician for almost 20 years in long‑term care, specializing in clinical nutrition and individualized medical nutrition therapy for individuals with complex needs involving weight loss and malnutrition. She holds an AAS in Dietetic Technology from Sinclair Community College and collaborates with interdisciplinary team to deliver compassionate, evidence‑based care.

Tracey L. Monroe, DTR

Consultant Dietetic Technician

Elizabeth Parish is a dedicated nutrition and dietetics professional with over a decade of experience spanning clinical nutrition, education, and culinary arts. With a Master of Science in Kinesiology, Nutrition, and Health from Miami University, she blends academic insight with hands-on expertise to deliver impactful, patient-centered care.

Elizabeth has served as an Adjunct Instructor in the Department of Kinesiology and Health at Miami University and currently works as a Clinical Nutrition Consultant supporting long-term and post-acute care facilities throughout Ohio and Kentucky. Her strengths include menu planning, regulatory compliance, interdisciplinary collaboration, and food service operations—all focused on promoting health, wellness, and dignity.

She holds an Associate degree in Culinary Arts, a Bachelor of Science from the University of Alabama, and an MS from Miami University. Before becoming a Registered Dietitian, Elizabeth spent nearly a decade as a credentialed Nutrition and Dietetic Technician, specializing in long-term care. Her career reflects a deep passion for bridging the gap between food, science, and community—highlighted by her volunteer work in nutrient analysis for non-profits like La Soupe.

Elizabeth is an active member of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, the American Culinary Federation, and the Greater Cincinnati Dietetics Association, where she served on the board from 2017 to 2019.

Elizabeth Parish, RD, LD

Consultant Dietitian

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Tad Peloquin is a seasoned Registered Dietitian with a passion for helping people live healthier lives through nutrition. He currently serves as a consultant for Dietary Difference, where he works closely with long-term care communities to provide practical, personalized nutrition support.

Tad brings a wide range of experience to his role, having worked in long-term care, rehabilitation, assisted living, group homes, hospice, and hospitals. Before joining Dietary Difference, he was the Director of Clinical Nutrition, leading multidisciplinary teams and overseeing nutrition care across healthcare settings.

He earned his Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Dayton and his Master’s in Clinical Nutrition from Rush University in Chicago. Originally from Chicago, Tad and his wife Missy have called Ohio home for the past 25 years, raising their four children there.

When he’s not working, Tad enjoys traveling with his family, hiking, and spending time in the garden.

Tad Peloquin, BS, MS, RDN, LD

Consultant Dietitian

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Kelly Rouse RD, LDN

Consultant Dietitian

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Susan Silvati is a Registered Dietetic Technician currently employed by Dietary Difference. Susan has worked for over 25 years in Long Term Care in Clinical and Food Service Management roles, earning several awards. Susan has a strong belief in the importance of nutrition in healthy living as well as prevention and management of certain diseases. Susan enjoys cooking, walking and spending time with family and friends.

Susan Silvati, DTR

Consultant Dietetic Technician

Jill Tomlinson is a dedicated and highly experienced Registered Dietetic Technician with over two decades of service in long-term care and clinical nutrition. With a strong background in nutritional assessments, dietary planning, and staff supervision, she has consistently demonstrated a commitment to high standards of patient care and customer service.

Currently serving as a Dietetic Technician at Beavercreek Post Acute and Dietary Difference, Jill is known for her meticulous assessment skills, attention to detail, and ability to implement cost-effective nutrition solutions. Her past leadership role at Walnut Creek Nursing Center included overseeing dietary operations for a 139-bed facility, managing budgets, scheduling, and team supervision.

Jill holds an Associate Degree in Nutrition and Dietetics from Sinclair Community College and has developed and implemented menu cycles, audit tools, and quality assurance protocols across multiple facilities. Recognized for her excellent communication skills, quick learning, and goal-oriented mindset, she continues to make a positive impact on the well-being of residents through personalized and evidence-based nutritional care.

Jill Tomlinson, DTR

Consultant Dietetic Technician

Work With the Best

When expertise meets dedication, results follow. Let’s work together to create lasting change.

Contact Our Team