DAWN AYENI
Stockton-on-Tees,Co Durham
Summary
Highly accomplished registered dietitian with extensive specialist experience in eating disorders, ARFID, and complex nutritional management across diverse clinical settings. Proven expertise in delivering evidence-based dietetic interventions for children, young people, and adults with eating disorders and mental health-related nutritional needs. Skilled in autonomous clinical practice, multidisciplinary team collaboration, and professional education delivery. Demonstrated commitment to clinical governance, service development, and embedding research evidence into practice to optimize patient outcomes.
Overview
14
14
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
First Contact Dietitian
Primary Care Dietitians Ltd.
04.2024 - Current
- Specialist Caseload: Disordered Eating, mild-moderate Eating Disorders, suspected ARFID, Weight Management, Diabetes, Cardiovascular Disease, Gastroenterology, Malnutrition
- Provide highly specialist nutritional assessment and treatment for patients with eating disorders and ARFID, utilizing advanced clinical reasoning to develop individualized, evidence-based care plans
- Conduct comprehensive holistic assessments for children, young people, and adults with complex eating disorders, incorporating medical, biochemical, and psychosocial factors
- Prescribe oral nutrition supplements and therapeutic dietary interventions for patients with restrictive eating patterns and malnutrition secondary to eating disorders
- Work autonomously within multidisciplinary teams including GPs, mental health practitioners, and social care professionals to ensure integrated, patient-centered care
- Receive and manage direct referrals from primary and secondary care, screening patients to identify appropriate dietetic interventions
- Deliver dietary support across diverse settings including patient homes, virtual consultations, GP surgeries, and care facilities, demonstrating flexible and adaptive practice
- Develop and implement evidence-based patient education resources and treatment protocols for eating disorder management
- Apply motivational interviewing and behavioral change techniques to support patients in achieving nutritional rehabilitation and recovery
- Undertake clinical audit and service evaluation activities to ensure delivery of high-quality, evidence-based care
- Maintain accurate, timely patient records in accordance with GDPR, HCPC standards, and professional guideline.
Community Dietitian
Norfolk Community Health and Care NHS Trust
12.2022 - 04.2024
- Specialist Caseload: Gastroenterology (Coeliac Disease, IBS, IBD), NAFLD, CKD, Weight Management, COPD, Malnutrition
- Delivered specialist dietetic services across neuro-rehabilitation units, elderly care wards, and community settings, managing complex caseloads independently
- Conducted comprehensive nutritional assessments utilizing biochemical, anthropometric, and clinical data to inform treatment planning
- Provided individual and group education sessions on evidence-based nutritional management for various conditions including IBS, Coeliac disease, and Low FODMAP diets
- Recommended, prescribed, and monitored nutritional support including oral nutrition supplements and specialized dietary products for patients across inpatient, care home, and community settings
- Contributed to professional development of pre-registration dietetic students through clinical supervision, teaching, tutorials, assessment, and role modeling best practice
- Participated actively in multidisciplinary team meetings and case conferences to discuss complex patient management
- Developed patient information resources and clinical guidelines to support evidence-based practice
- Demonstrated highly developed communication skills when working with patients with complex needs, utilizing interpreters when required.
Lead Dietitian & Product Manager
Pishon Wellness (eHealth Company)
05.2020 - 12.2022
- Specialist Focus: Diabetes Management, Insulin Pump Therapy Education, Diabetes Remission
- Led strategic development and implementation of evidence-based diabetes management programs, incorporating latest research and clinical guidelines
- Developed comprehensive policies, clinical guidelines, and standard operating procedures to ensure high-quality service delivery
- Supervised and provided clinical leadership to dietetic team members, facilitating their continuing professional development
- Evaluated dietetic services systematically, identifying opportunities for improvement and implementing innovative solutions
- Developed and maintained product roadmap aligned with organizational goals and evidence-based practice standards
- Led multi-disciplinary innovation initiatives, earning organizational award for technological advancement in healthcare delivery
- Managed budget setting, monitoring, and identification of service efficiencies
- Presented service evaluation results and proposals for service improvements to senior leadership
- Full-time: May 2020 – December 2022 / Remote Part-time: December 2022 – April 2024
Dietitian
University College Hospital
04.2019 - 04.2020
- Provided individual and group nutritional therapy and counseling for patients with diabetes and complex medical conditions
- Participated in multidisciplinary team ward rounds across various medical specialties including pediatrics, endocrinology, and general medicine
- Educated patients and families on evidence-based nutritional management strategies for chronic disease prevention and management
- Collaborated with physicians, nurses, and allied health professionals to deliver integrated patient care
- Maintained comprehensive patient records in accordance with professional and legal standards
Lead GP Dietitian
Narshai Medical Centre
03.2014 - 01.2019
- Provided clinical leadership for dietetics team, focusing on clinical effectiveness and best practice implementation
- Developed and delivered internal staff training programs, policies, clinical guidelines, and standard operating procedures
- Supervised staff and ensured adherence to evidence-based practice and professional standards
- Conducted confidential consultations and created comprehensive, individualized treatment plans
- Monitored client progress utilizing digital health technologies and mobile application data
- Led diabetes management and remission programs utilizing evidence-based nutritional interventions
Dietitian-Nutritionist
Lagos State University Hospital
01.2012 - 02.2013
- Conducted dietary counseling for patients across various medical specialties under senior supervision
- Reported patient progress and collaborated with multidisciplinary teams to optimize nutritional outcomes
- Gained foundational experience in clinical dietetic practice across diverse patient populations
Education
First Contact Practitioner (FCP) Program - Dietetics
University of Hertfordshire
12.2025
PostGraduate Diploma - Public Health Nutrition
University of KwaZulu Natal
Durban01.2018
BSc (Hons) - Human Nutrition & Dietetics
University of Ibadan
Nigeria01.2011
Skills
- Eating Disorder Specialization
- Comprehensive assessment and management of Anorexia Nervosa, Bulimia Nervosa, Binge Eating Disorder, ARFID, and atypical eating disorders
- Nutritional rehabilitation planning and implementation for medically compromised patients
- Refeeding syndrome risk assessment and prevention
- Family-based treatment approaches and carer education
- Motivational interviewing and cognitive behavioral techniques for eating disorders
- Clinical Expertise
- Autonomous clinical practice with complex, high-risk caseloads
- Prescription of specialized dietary products and oral nutrition supplements
- Interpretation of medical, biochemical, and pharmacological information
- Advanced clinical reasoning and evidence-based decision making
- Risk assessment and safeguarding for vulnerable patients
- Communication & Education
- Highly developed verbal and written communication skills for diverse audiences
- One-to-one dietary counseling and group education delivery
- Professional teaching and training of healthcare providers and students
- Development of evidence-based patient information resources
- Communication through interpreters when required
- Multidisciplinary Collaboration
- Effective working within CAMHS and mental health settings
- Participation in case conferences, MDT meetings, and clinical supervision
- Contribution to Child Protection conferences and Child in Need meetings
- Liaison with primary care, secondary care, and community services
- Clinical Governance & Service Development
- Clinical audit design, implementation, and presentation using research methodology
- Service evaluation and quality improvement initiatives
- Policy and guideline development for eating disorder management
- Supervision of dietetic students and junior staff
- Commitment to continuing professional development and evidence-based practice
- Clinical Skills: Expert-level assessment and treatment of eating disorders and ARFID Advanced nutritional rehabilitation planning Prescription of therapeutic nutrition interventions Biochemical interpretation Risk management
- Communication: Exceptional interpersonal skills with patients, families, and professionals Effective written communication for reports and documentation Group facilitation and public speaking Cross-cultural communication
- Leadership: Strategic service development Team supervision and mentoring Policy and guideline development Innovation and change management Budget management
- Professional Practice: Autonomous decision-making Clinical governance and audit Evidence-based practice Ethical practice within HCPC and BDA frameworks Commitment to CPD
- Personal Attributes: Self-motivated and proactive Empathetic and patient-centered Flexible and adaptable Resilient under pressure Strong organizational skills
Certification
- Eating Disorder Certification – International Confederation of Behavioral Health (ICB)
- CBT for Psychosis – Health Education England
- Level 7 Advanced Diploma in Leadership and Management
- NHS Leadership Academy: Leadership Development Programme
- Understanding Diabetes, Emotional Wellbeing & Diabetes Remission – Diabetes UK
- Regular attendance at BDA specialist interest group meetings and conferences
- Active participation in clinical supervision and peer review processes
SAFEGUARDING
- Current enhanced DBS check
- Up-to-date child and adult safeguarding training
- Understanding of Child Protection procedures and legal frameworks
- Experience working with vulnerable populations
- Registered with HCPC and committed to professional standards of conduct
Timeline
First Contact Dietitian
Primary Care Dietitians Ltd.
04.2024 - Current
Community Dietitian
Norfolk Community Health and Care NHS Trust
12.2022 - 04.2024
Lead Dietitian & Product Manager
Pishon Wellness (eHealth Company)
05.2020 - 12.2022
Dietitian
University College Hospital
04.2019 - 04.2020
Lead GP Dietitian
Narshai Medical Centre
03.2014 - 01.2019
Dietitian-Nutritionist
Lagos State University Hospital
01.2012 - 02.2013
PostGraduate Diploma - Public Health Nutrition
University of KwaZulu Natal
BSc (Hons) - Human Nutrition & Dietetics
University of Ibadan
First Contact Practitioner (FCP) Program - Dietetics
University of Hertfordshire