Shortly after becoming the Clinical Nutrition Manager at Childrens Hospital Los Angeles, Linda Heller received a notice from the CDC indicating that all powdered infant formulas were not commercially sterile; therefore, their use was not recommended for patients within neonatal intensive care units (NICU). The notice became the impetus for hospitals across the nation to look at the entire preparation, storage and delivery of enteral nutritional products for pediatric patients.
Suddenly, a great deal of attention was focused on identifying a safer delivery system for enteral products for pediatric patients dependent on them. And Linda began her mission to influence a manufacturer to develop a delivery system with a reduced risk of contamination.
"I knew a closed system would offer significant advantages for our youngest patients," said Linda, "so I just started asking every enteral product sales representative why their company had a closed system available for adults but not for children. I wanted our children to have the same product advantages that adults have."
As a direct result of the work and influence of Linda and other safety conscious clinicians, Nestlé Nutrition developed a pediatric product in a closed system. Four months ago, Childrens Hospital Los Angeles has transitioned, wherever possible, to using all closed enteral feeding systems. Now children are getting the nutrition they need with a reduced risk of touch contamination. The transition has also offered improved efficiencies.
"I find it extremely rewarding to have influenced the development of an improved delivery system of enteral nutrition products for children visiting our hospital and hospitals across the country," she commented. "Nutrition plays such a pivotal role in the development of a child. I know that I'm making an impact on their overall growth and it's that impact which makes my work so rewarding."
Linda Heller has been working with children and adults with special healthcare needs for nearly 30 years. Mid-way through her career, she decided it was time to complete her master's degree in dietetics. In pursuit of an internship, Linda discovered that Childrens Hospital Los Angeles had a pediatric dietitian internship opportunity available. "It was a turning point in my life and the best thing that ever happened to me," she commented. "I was able to blend my interest in nutrition with my desire to help children with special healthcare needs."
After completing her internship, Linda became the first dietitian assigned to the Immunology Division of Childrens Hospital Los Angeles. At that time, most children facing HIV/AIDS were dying of the disease; in her role, Linda helped to identify ways to manage the nutritional impact of the disease.
As time passed, Linda chose to pursue a position in management. "It was a difficult decision, especially knowing I wouldn't be working directly with patients every day. However, I hoped this change would allow me a greater opportunity to influence the care of many more patients. While helping one child and family at a time was rewarding, I wanted to be able to have a greater impact. In management, I can do just that."
Today, she participates in a number of the hospital's committees to provide a voice for her fellow dietitians and build awareness of their role in patient care. And, this summer, Linda begins a 2-year term as co-chair of the ADA's Pediatric Nutrition DPG (dietetic practice group) nominating committee. She earned both her bachelor's of science and master's degrees from California State Polytechnic University, Pomona.
"It's exciting to think about sharing and working with my colleagues across the country. It's also wonderfully rewarding to watch the exceptional dietitians I work with grow, learn and take part in new opportunities. Plus, I still get to work directly with families and children."