Director of Patient Care
Tara Simpson, RD, CSSD, LDN is a well-regarded expert in the field of eating disorders, sports nutrition, and nutritional counseling. Tara is the founder of Nutritional Health Systems, a nutrition consulting company based in the Philadelphia area. Started in 2003, Nutritional Health Systems provides nutrition programs and nutritional counseling to a wide variety of patients.

Tara earned her Bachelor of Science degree in Nutrition and Dietetics, graduating Summa cum laude from Rutgers University. Following her undergraduate studies, she completed her clinical training at Brigham and Women’s hospital in Boston, MA in their highly competitive dietetic internship. Tara is a registered dietitian (RD) and licensed in the state of Pennsylvania (LDN). She is also a certified specialist in sports dietetics (CSSD). She is a member of the American Dietetic Association and of the Sports, Cardiovascular, and Wellness Nutritionists (SCAN) practice group.

Tara has extensive experience and specializes in the areas of eating disorders and sports nutrition. In addition to her experience as an outpatient dietitian, she has 7 years of experience as both a staff and lead dietitian in the inpatient eating disorder setting. During this tenure, Tara designed meal plans, facilitated nutrition groups, and counseled and guided thousands of patients with eating disorders toward their recovery and a healthier lifestyle.

As a sports nutritionist, Tara has counseled athletes at the high school, collegiate, amateur, and professional levels in a variety of sports. She has motivated and assisted countless athletes and active individuals in maximizing their performance through nutrition.

Tara swam competitively at the Division I level in college. She is currently active in the sport of triathlon and competes in the sprint, ½ Ironman, and Ironman distances.

Assistant Director of Patient Care
Carly Natko, MS, RD, LDN
Carly Natko, MS, RD, LDN joined Nutritional Health Systems in June, 2010. Carly has
extensive professional experience counseling patients with eating disorders, as well as assisting patients to manage and maintain a healthy weight. She is also experienced in the area of sports nutrition and has worked with many athletes to optimize their nutrition for performance enhancement.

Carly graduated cum laude with a BS in Sociology and minor in Psychology from The George Washington University. She earned her MS in Clinical Nutrition from New York University, and she completed her Dietetic Internship at New York Presbyterian/Columbia Presbyterian Hospitals.

Carly began her professional working experience at the Melainie Rogers Nutrition LLC, a private practice in New York City, where she counseled patients for weight management, weight loss surgery nutrition, sports nutrition, and eating disorders. Carly was the Nutrition Coordinator at BALANCE, an eating disorder treatment center where she helped run an intensive outpatient program. In addition, she worked as the Senior Dietitian at The Mount Sinai Adolescent Health
Center where she helped children and teens with various medical issues. She also worked as an inpatient dietitian at The Mount Sinai Hospital.

She is affiliated with the American Dietetic Association and the Nutrition Entrepreneurs.

Director of Community Outreach
Gina Barusevicius, MA, RD, CSSD, LDN is the Director of Community Outreach for Nutritional Health Systems.. She joined the practice in 2004 as a nutrition counselor, after 5 years of experience as a nutritionist in a variety of outpatient and hospital based programs.

Gina earned her Masters degree in Nutrition Education from Immaculata University. She completed her clinical training at Mercy Hospital of Philadelphia, a teaching hospital located in the Philadelphia area. Gina is a registered dietitian (RD) and licensed in the state of Pennsylvania (LDN). She is also a certified specialist in sports dietetics (CSSD). She is a member of the American Dietetic Association and of the Sports, Cardiovascular and Wellness Nutritionists (SCAN) practice group.

Gina specializes in the areas of eating disorders, medical nutrition therapy, and sports nutrition. As an outpatient dietitian with the Renfrew Center, a nationally recognized facility specializing in the treatment of eating disorders, Gina served as a nutrition counselor and a nutrition group co-leader for their intensive outpatient program. She has counseled and educated adolescents and adults, helping them to develop self-esteem, improve their social and coping skills, and gain insights on the importance of proper nutrition for a healthy lifestyle.

As a medical nutrition therapist, Gina has served as lead dietitian in the critical care, surgical, and oncology units. During Gina’s clinical stay, she played a key role in implementing dietary practices to enhance treatment therapies for all disease states and provided diet education to diabetic, renal and cardiovascular patients. In addition, she designed and conducted nutrition in-service seminars for interns, residents, and nursing staffs.

Gina is also experienced in the field of sports nutrition. She has counseled many athletes of various sports and levels.

Gina participated in Division I college athletics in the sport of field hockey. More recently, she has become an avid runner and has completed numerous marathons.

Registered Dietitian
Stephanie Wise, RD, LDN
Stephanie Wise, RD, LDN joined Nutritional Health Systems in May, 2009. Stephanie has extensive experience with weight management and eating disorders, as well as sports nutrition.

Stephanie earned a Bachelor of the Arts degree in Human Development from Eckerd College, as well as a Bachelor of Science degree in Nutrition and Dietetics from West Chester University. She completed her clinical training at Mercy Fitzgerald Hospital in Darby, PA, while taking part in Immaculata University’s Graduate Program. Stephanie is a registered dietitian (RD) and licensed in the state of Pennsylvania (LDN). She is a member of the American Dietetic Association and of the Weight Management practice group.

Stephanie has experience in a variety of in-patient and out-patient settings. She has worked with patients with eating disorders in an in-patient setting through The Belmont Center in Philadelphia. She has experience through Mercy Fitzgerald Hospital as a clinical dietitian, helping patients with a full range of disease states and conditions. Mercy Fitzgerald Hospital afforded her the opportunity, as Lead Bariatric Dietitian, to work with patients before and after bariatric surgery, as well as leading support groups and classes.

Stephanie is also well versed in Sports Nutrition, as she has a background in dance and has worked with many dancers and athletes to improve performance and overall health.

Registered Dietitian
Cheri Leahy, RD, LDN
Cheri Leahy earned a Bachelor of the Science degree in Nutrition and Food Science from Meredith College. She completed her dietetic internship and training at Duke University Medical System, while taking part in Meredith College’s Graduate Program.

Cheri is a registered dietitian (RD) and licensed in the state of Pennsylvania (LDN). She is a member of the American Dietetic Association and of the Weight Management practice group.

Cheri has experience in a variety of in-patient and outpatient settings. She has worked with patients with eating disorders, weight management, diabetes education, and maternal and fetal health. She has experience through Virtua Hospital as a clinical dietitian, helping patients with a full range of disease states and conditions.

Cheri has spoken at several conferences; in addition, she frequently provides nutrition and wellness presentations to corporations, professional associations, community organizations and medical professional around the tri-state area. As a former consultant for exceptional wellness and health centers, Cheri Leahy brings tremendous insight and firsthand experience to the nutritional patients at NHS. Her nutrition philosophy is, ““To eat is a necessity, but to eat intelligently is an art; I am here to teach you the art!”

Registered Dietitian
Christina Carran, MS, RDN
Christina Carran, MS, RDN, joined the team at Nutritional Health Systems in November 2013. Christina has experience counseling patients with a full range of dietary needs, including weight management, general wellness and sports nutrition.

Christina earned her Bachelor of Science in Dietetics from the University of Northern Colorado.
Following her undergraduate degree, Christina became an AFAA Certified Personal Trainer and Group Exercise Instructor. She then completed her Master of Science (MS) in Applied Nutritional Science, with an emphasis in Fitness, from Northeastern University and later went on to complete her Dietetic Internship with Sodexo’s Distance Dietetic Internship in Hawaii. Christina is a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist (RDN) as well as a member of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics (AND) and the Sports, Cardiovascular and Wellness Nutritionists (SCAN) practice group.

Christina began her professional career as a Weight Management Director where she implemented wellness programs and youth nutrition classes for a regional health club. She has worked for the Department of Defense, counseling military members and civilians on weight management. While at the DoD, she also trained and counseled Navy personnel to meet their Physical Training standards. Christina has worked with a variety of individuals and groups, including a Kona Ironman Finisher.

Christina understands the importance of nutrition in performance; for much of her life, she has been an avid hiker, soccer player, and snowboarder. Christina has competed in numerous fitness events and has recently developed an interest in obstacle-style races.