Inspiring Conversations with Jillian Ondreyka

Today we’d like to introduce you to Jillian Ondreyka, MPH, RDN, IFNCP, IBCLC, CLT.

Hi Jillian, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself
I have always wanted to have a private practice in nutrition- the dietetics program I attended had an entrepreneur focus. I started my practice in 2016 and have done a mix of virtual one-on-one sessions with clients and contract work. In the last few years, I have started offering a very meaningful new specialty of nutrition for Hidradenitis Suppurativa which has resulted in an uptick of clients.

In my private practice, Embrace Health Nutrition, I enjoy working with clients one-on-one to achieve their health goals. There are plenty of ways to eat healthily, and I can support you in whatever way is your nutrition goal. My two specialties are Life Stages & Family Nutrition and Nutrition for Hidradenitis Suppurativa (HS).

I am passionate about working with moms and babies because I can promote healthy eating in two generations, which makes a lasting positive health impact. My expertise in maternal and infant nutrition will help you build the foundation of healthy eating habits for life for the entire family. Good nutrition is essential to a healthy, happy life!

If you haven’t heard of HS, this is a chronic, inflammatory skin disease characterized by painful nodules and abscesses which form most commonly in sensitive areas: underarms and breasts, along buttocks and groin, though HS may appear anywhere there is hair.

I have had HS myself since a teenager and came to notice the connection between my flares and what I eat. For me, dairy is a huge trigger. I live in Michigan, where the dairy industry thrives in the Midwest. I remember heading to a dairy farm with all of my family to pet some farm animals and go on a tour. In the end, we all ate ice cream and bought gallons of milk fresh from the farm. This was a really fun experience! But what happened after was not. I was drinking all of this milk, which I don’t usually do, and ended up with multiple, painful HS flares. This was a turning point for me and help me realized that what I ate contributed to my disease.

After becoming resigned to the fact that I am stuck with HS for life (I’m sure some of you can relate!) I decided to learn all I could about HS at the 2019 Symposium on Hidradenitis Suppurativa Advances in Detroit, Michigan. I was amazed at the degree of compassion, enthusiasm, and drive in this close-knit community of HS providers. In the welcome remarks, I was pleasantly surprised to hear emphasis on increasing nutrition research and the call to action, “Let’s look at diet.” As the presentations progressed, I saw the connections of how a dietitian could help from a nutrition perspective and should be a part of the multidisciplinary care team for HS.

I spent the weekend learning about all the new research and meeting providers and researchers from all over the world. During multiple conversations, it came up that you can’t find more meaningful work than helping people with HS. These conversations energized me and came at just the right time as I had been looking for how to make meaningful change in my private practice. This is when I decided to do what I can to help others with HS through nutrition.

Through individual experimentation and some medical research, it is becoming apparent that nutrition has an important role in managing HS. Foods can either contribute to flares or help calm the inflammation in the body and encourage healing. I work with clients to identify their food triggers and guide and empower them to make lifestyle changes. I partner with them to develop a nutrition plan that will fit into their busy lifestyle.

My work experience includes the University of Michigan’s Maternal Infant Health Program; The University of Michigan’s Briarwood Center for Women, Children, and Young Adults; the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) at both the local (Wayne County), state, and national levels; the headstart program; and consulting for various organizations. I also have a full-time job working as a LEAP Improvement Coach in Quality Improvement/Research at the Ann Arbor VA. As a Fresh Thyme Ambassador, I promote health and wellness education to Fresh Thyme customers at store events throughout Michigan.

2014: Graduated with my Bachelor of Science in Dietetics from Eastern Michigan University with a minor in psychology

2014: Upon completion of the national exam, became a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist

2017: Earned my Integrative and Functional Nutrition Certified Practitioner (IFNCP) credential from the Integrative and Functional Nutrition Academy

2018: Completed a training program provided by Lactation Education Consultants and received my Certified Lactation Specialist credential

2018: Graduated with my Master’s in Public Health in the program Health Behavior and Health Education from the University of Michigan

2018: Became a Certified LEAP Therapist

2018: Passed the international exam to become an International Board-Certified Lactation Consultant

I enjoy feeding my curious mind and drive to learn by attending conferences and webinars in my varied interests including breastfeeding, functional nutrition, Hidradenitis Suppurativa, gut health, microbiome, epigenetics, food allergies, health promotion, motivational interviewing, adverse food reactions and maternal and infant health and nutrition.

Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Michigan private practice dietitians face the large obstacle of payment. Insurance companies in Michigan do not contract with dietitians for most health conditions and do not cover preventative nutrition. Dietitians must therefore use a private-pay model, which limits the clientele. Dietitians can offer a superbill to clients who can submit to their insurance for potential reimbursement.

Great, so let’s talk business. Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
In my private practice, Embrace Health Nutrition, I enjoy working with clients one-on-one to achieve their health goals. There are plenty of ways to eat healthily, and I can support you in whatever way is your nutrition goal. My two specialties are Life Stages & Family Nutrition and Nutrition for Hidradenitis Suppurativa (HS).

I am passionate about working with moms and babies because I can promote healthy eating in two generations, which makes a lasting positive health impact. My expertise in maternal and infant nutrition will help you build the foundation of healthy eating habits for life for the entire family. Good nutrition is essential to a healthy, happy life!

If you haven’t heard of HS, this is a chronic, inflammatory skin disease characterized by painful nodules and abscesses which form most commonly in sensitive areas: underarms and breasts, along buttocks and groin, though HS may appear anywhere there is hair.

I have had HS myself since a teenager and came to notice the connection between my flares and what I eat. For me, dairy is a huge trigger. I live in Michigan, where the dairy industry thrives in the Midwest. I remember heading to a dairy farm with all of my family to pet some farm animals and go on a tour. In the end, we all ate ice cream and bought gallons of milk fresh from the farm. This was a really fun experience! But what happened after was not. I was drinking all of this milk, which I don’t usually do, and ended up with multiple, painful HS flares. This was a turning point for me and help me realized that what I ate contributed to my disease.

I spent the weekend learning about all the new research and meeting providers and researchers from all over the world. During multiple conversations, it came up that you can’t find more meaningful work than helping people with HS. These conversations energized me and came at just the right time as I had been looking for how to make meaningful change in my private practice. This is when I decided to do what I can to help others with HS through nutrition.

Through individual experimentation and some medical research, it is becoming apparent that nutrition has an important role in managing HS. Foods can either contribute to flares or help calm the inflammation in the body and encourage healing. I work with clients to identify their food triggers and guide and empower them to make lifestyle changes. I partner with them to develop a nutrition plan that will fit into their busy lifestyle.

Can you talk to us a bit about the role of luck?
I feel very fortunate that when I was searching for a dermatologist, I happened to live in a city that had a great doctor who specialized in HS! On average, it takes seven years for those with Hidradenitis Suppurativa to get a diagnosis. I also live near a dermatology research center, and at a conference met a doctor with who I later submitted a research grant with. We found out our study was funded in May 2021!

Contact Info:

• Email: [email protected]
• Website: https://www.embracehealthnutrition.com/
• Instagram: embracehealthnutrition
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/embracehealthnutrition/