By Kristy Warren

Registered dietitian Elena Swain, MS, RD, LDN, has joined the Laurel Health Centers. She will be providing medical nutritional therapy to patients at Laurel Health locations throughout Tioga and Bradford Counties, beginning with the Mansfield, Troy, and Wellsboro Laurel Health Centers.

Elena developed an interest in nutrition after dealing with her own struggles around food in high school. It led her to the goal of helping others find a healthy relationship with food while fueling their bodies and promoting the best version of themselves, inside and out. She focuses on realistic recommendations to help promote sustainable lifestyle changes.

Patients can be referred to Elena Swain to address:

• Malnutrition
• Food insecurity
• Weight management
• Disordered eating
• Wellness goals
• Sustainable healthy eating
• Specialty diets related to acute or chronic health conditions like cancer, cardiovascular disease, diabetes, celiac disease, gastrointestinal disease, or kidney disease

“Being a dietitian is about so much more than just food. I really enjoy the science involved in nutrition, so I often discuss chemistry and our metabolism during patient education. Breaking down the complex science of nutrition in an easy-to-understand way helps patients understand the true importance of adequate nutrition,” she explains.

To make an appointment with Elena Swain, call 570-297-3746 or talk to your family doctor about a referral. 

As a dietitian, Elena is most looking forward to working with the community on how to support their wellness goals through nutrition. “Unfortunately, there is often a lack of nutrition resources available in rural areas. I grew up in Troy and love this community, so I felt like I needed to ‘come back home’ to be part of that change. I am passionate about providing nutrition education and addressing other issues like food insecurity and malnutrition, common experiences for many in rural communities.”

She received her Bachelor of Science degree in Nutrition from Mansfield University with a focus on Dietetics, Sports Nutrition, and Community Health Education where she also served as president of the Mansfield University Student Dietetic Association. She earned her Master of Science degree in Community Nutrition from West Chester University.

In her free time, you can find her at any good coffee shop. She loves going for walks, finding the best greenhouses, or just lounging at home with her husband and son.

Elena Swain, registered dietitian (RD), is accepting new patients of all ages. Please note that some insurances require a referral to be seen for medical nutritional therapy (MNT), diabetes education, or dietary counseling; if this applies to your health plan, simply talk to your family doctor about a referral for nutrition services.

All appointments with our dietitian are currently being routed through the Troy LHC number, but patients can be scheduled to be seen at our Laurel Health Centers in Mansfield, Troy, or Wellsboro. To schedule an appointment with Elena, call our Troy LHC office at 570-297-3746 or talk to your doctor about a referral. 

The Laurel Health Centers offer award-winning family medicine, behavioral health services, and specialty care for the whole family throughout Tioga & Bradford Counties in northcentral Pennsylvania and lower New York, including sites in Blossburg, Elkland, Mansfield, Lawrenceville, Towanda, Troy, Wellsboro, and Westfield, PA.

We are committed to serving all patients regardless of their ability to pay, offering a sliding fee scale to ensure all patients receive the care they need. Laurel Health services include: 

• Primary care and internal medicine 
• Pediatrics 
• Dental services
• Women’s health
• Chiropractic care and sports medicine 
• Walk-in care
• Nutrition therapy 
• Mental health counseling
• Diabetes education
• Insurance enrollment and financial aid assistance
• Chronic disease management, preventive wellness care, community health education, care coordination, and more.
   

For more information or to make an appointment, call 1-833-LAURELHC (1-833-528-7354) and select the clinic / service of your choice or visit our contact page for a full list of Laurel Health locations.