Dietitians

The bariatric dietitians at New Jersey Bariatric Center® play a vital role in the weight loss journey. Both medical and surgical weight loss patients meet with a registered dietitian at their first appointment. The dietitian team does an in-depth interview to review what patients’ eating habits are like and to pinpoint trouble areas. They will set dietary goals and be there for follow-up before and after surgery. After weight loss goals are reached, bariatric dietitians are available to offer support and guidance to keep patients on the path of good health.

Meagan Butler, R.D.

Meagan Butler is a registered dietitian and serves as Nutrition Coordinator, providing nutritional counseling for bariatric surgery and medical weight loss patients in the Springfield and Hoboken locations. Meagan leads the New Jersey Bariatric Center® Support Group on the third Tuesday of the month at the Springfield office and conducts a weekly pre-operative education class for surgical patients. She has experience with weight management and its related illnesses, including diabetes, high blood pressure and heart disease. She has also completed a Certificate of Training in Adult Weight Management through the Commission on Dietetic Registration for the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics.

Meagan completed her dietetic internship at Montclair State University, and graduated magna cum laude from Virginia Tech with a bachelor’s degree in human nutrition, foods and exercise with a concentration in dietetics. Her true passion is working one-on-one with clients to the help them achieve their goals. Meagan is excited to share her knowledge with her clients to help them achieve a lifestyle of health and happiness.
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Dana Babeu, R.D.

Registered dietitian Dana Babeu provides nutrition counseling on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays in the Springfield location. She has experience working with patients on issues related to weight management, food allergies and sensitivities, gastrointestinal disorders, diabetes, cardiovascular disease, disordered eating and metabolic syndrome. Dana’s passion is partnering with patients to create holistic, goal-oriented, individualized plans to improve health and achieve a better quality of life.

Dana graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in nutrition from Montclair State University and completed a dietetic internship with ARAMARK. She is a member of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, the New Jersey Dietetic Association and Dietitians in Integrative and Functional Nutrition. When she’s not at work, Dana can be found playing at the park with her daughter, cooking or practicing her headstands.
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Karen Kelly, R.D.

Registered dietitian Karen Kelly is available for nutrition counseling every Thursday in the Hoboken location and Tuesdays in the Springfield location.

She is a graduate of Ohio State University and the College of Saint Elizabeth where she received her registered dietitian degree. Karen found her true calling by helping people make better nutrition choices to improve their health. She is a member of the American Dietetic Association, the New Jersey Dietetic Association, Nutrition Entrepreneurs, Nutrition in Complementary Care as well as Sports and Cardiovascular Nutrition.
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Kelly Beneduce, R.D.

Kelly Beneduce is a registered dietitian who provides nutritional counseling for bariatric surgery and medical weight loss patients Tuesdays and Thursdays at our Springfield office. Kelly received her Bachelor of Science degree in nutrition from the University of Delaware where she also completed her dietetic internship. She obtained a Certificate of Training in Adult Weight Management through the Commission on Dietetic Registration for the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics.

Kelly has more than a decade of experience working with patients to help them with weight management, diabetes, metabolic syndrome, gastrointestinal disorders and cardiovascular disease. She is passionate about helping others achieve their nutrition goals and personalizing one’s diet plan to fit his or her lifestyle. In her spare time, Kelly enjoys traveling and walking outside with her son, husband and Bernese mountain dog.
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Tia Hagins, R.D.

Tia Hagins is a registered dietitian who has been the community nutritionist at Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital Somerset Campus since 2002. In this role, she provides personal nutrition counseling and develops individualized meal plans for bariatric surgery patients as well as patients with heart disease, gastrointestinal disorders, cancer, high blood pressure, metabolic disorders, HIV, renal insufficiency and food allergies. She also conducts community education programs on various nutrition topics.

Tia received a bachelor’s degree in psychology from Rutgers University and completed a didactic program in nutrition at Cook College. She completed her dietetic internship at the University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey and is certified in childhood and adolescent weight management.
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