john lopez, RDN, LDN
States Licensed to Practice: Tennessee, Georgia, Washington State, Oklahoma
Current Position: Renal Dietitian at Somatus, Owner of Scenic City Dietetics
Past Experience: WIC (in Georgia and Washington), LTAC, SNF, Mental Health, and Assisted Living
What is my philosophy about nutrition? Diet is defined as the types of foods that a person habitually eats. No matter what diet or “meal plan” you’re following, consistency is the key to success. I enjoy helping people redefine their habits and teaching them how to be accountable in choosing and following their diet to help them reach their nutrition goals.
Strengths in Nutrition and Dietetics: I have experience working in a variety of settings helping people with various needs. I’m very passionate about diabetes education and teaching people how to follow a low-carbohydrate diet. I also enjoy supporting and empowering other dietitians to help them succeed in their career paths.
Renee Lopez, RDN, LD
States Licensed to Practice: Tennessee, Georgia
Current Position: Clinical Dietitian and Owner of Scenic City Dietetics
Past Experience: WIC, Outpatient Nutrition Counseling, Psychiatric Nutrition
What is my philosophy about nutrition? Nutrition is the foundation of health yet is so individualized per person. I love encouraging and empowering patients to take charge of their health and improve how they feel.
Strengths in Nutrition and Dietetics: Breastfeeding education, Pregnant/post-partum nutrition, Diabetes education, Nutrition support
Emily maddux, rdn
States Licensed to Practice:
Current Position: Professor and Supervised Experiential Learning Coordinator at the University of Tennessee, Chattanooga, and Performance Dietitian at Top Nutrition & Performance, LLC
Past Experience: Wellness Director with CareHere, LLC., an Employee Wellness Company, creating incentive-based wellness programs for large and small employer groups, Health Coach/Registered Dietitian working with a variety of clients with diabetes, cardiovascular disease, hypertension, and overweight and obesity
What is my philosophy about nutrition? The closer to nature (the ground) we can eat, the better! Balance is the key to enjoying meals/foods, and all foods can, and should fit!
Strengths in Nutrition and Dietetics: Leadership in the field of nutrition, through experience with and commitment to the professional dietetics organizations (CPSDA, AND, TAND, CAND), Nutrition-focused coaching in the area of sports performance and weight management for adolescents and adults of all ages
Courtney Phifer, MS, RD, LDN
States Licensed to Practice: Tennessee
Current Position: Eating Disorders Dietitian with Focus Treatment Center in Chattanooga, TN
Past Experience: Eating Disorders Dietitian with The Ranch Treatment Center in Nunnelly, TN
What is my philosophy about nutrition? I use a small-step, goal-oriented, client-driven approach that incorporates body-positive and mindful eating practices. My nutrition philosophy is one of balance and variety and where all foods fit and can be enjoyed.
Strengths in Nutrition and Dietetics: Having 12 years of experience working with eating disorders, Providing support and guidance to other RDs wishing to learn more about treating eating disorders, Helping clients build a positive relationship with their body and with food by ditching the diet mentality
Danielle Townsend, RDN, LD
States Licensed to Practice: Georgia, Tennessee
Current Position: Outpatient Registered Dietitian Nutritionist with Primary Healthcare Centers (in Fort Oglethorpe, GA right over the Chattanooga, TN state line) to provide outpatient nutrition counseling for a multitude of chronic and acute conditions. Primary Healthcare Centers accepts all major insurance, Medicare, and Medicaid plans. For those uninsured, we have an affordable self-pay option for those who qualify.
Past experience: Clinical Dietitian, Clinical Nutrition Manager & Patient Services Manager, Home Health Consultant Dietitian
What is my philosophy about nutrition? I counsel a lot of people on diabetes, high cholesterol, hypertension, and healthy weight loss. I believe that all foods fit and health can be achieved at any size. I keep my advice and strategies realistic according to a person’s lifestyle, schedule, budget, and goals.
Strengths in Nutrition and Dietetics: Producing marketing materials, Cooking & Food photography, Editing/Reviewing projects (eye for detail), Television interviews, Billing/Coding in outpatient counseling, Communicating with insurance companies
Justin collins, mph, RDN, LDN
States Licensed to Practice: Tennessee
Current Position: Online Coach & Owner of Body Unbound
Past experience: Personal training with folks of all ages, backgrounds, and goals.
What is my philosophy about nutrition? Nutrition information is often made too complicated for the average person. This was something that I struggled with when I embarked on a weight loss journey from obesity to better health. I like to keep things simple and sustainable. If what we’re doing together isn’t improving your quality of life, then I’ll troubleshoot with you until it is. I also believe that fitness and nutrition are deeply interlinked and complementary; together, they’re more than the sum of their parts.
Strengths in Nutrition and Dietetics: Fat loss, fitness, and myth-busting. I help people to break free from the things that are holding them back and unleash their potential through fitness and nutrition. Whether your goal is to look, feel, or perform better – I’m here to help you live life more fully.
Julia Kaset, mph, RDN, LDN
States Licensed to Practice: Tennessee
Current Position: Registered Dietitian at Nutrition World Chattanooga
Past experience: Former collegiate soccer player turned sports and performance nutrition specialist. Certified Nutrition Coach with Healthy Steps Nutrition for two years, providing individualized nutrition coaching to diverse clients. Experience working with athletes, active individuals, and those seeking improved overall health. Skilled in supporting weight loss and body composition changes, eating disorder recovery, and medical nutrition therapy for post-surgical and digestive health needs.
What is my philosophy about nutrition? I believe nutrition should empower, not overwhelm. The health world is flooded with conflicting advice, which can lead to confusion and frustration. My approach is to simplify the process, making nutrition practical, sustainable, and individualized. As both an athlete and a dietitian, I understand that food is more than fuel—it’s about supporting performance, recovery, mental well-being, and overall quality of life. If a plan isn’t helping you feel and function better, we’ll adjust until it does.
Strengths in Nutrition and Dietetics: I specialize in sports and performance nutrition for athletes at all levels, weight loss and body composition optimization, and food freedom with eating disorder recovery. My approach also incorporates holistic wellness by addressing sleep, stress, lifestyle, and supplementation, as well as digestive health and post-surgical nutrition support.
CEDRD-S = Certified Eating Disorder Registered Dietitian and approved Supervisor with the International Association of Eating Disorders Professionals (IAEDP)
CFCS = Certified, Family and Consumer Science
CLC = Certified Lactation Counselor
LD/LDN = Licensed Dietitian/Nutritionist
LTAC = Long-Term Acute Care
RD/RDN = Registered Dietitian/Nutritionist
PhD = Doctor of Philosophy
PRN = As Needed
MBChB = Bachelor of Medicine and General Surgery
MNT = Medical Nutrition Therapy
MS = Master of Science
SNF = Skilled Nursing Facility
WIC = Women, Infants, and Children
Chattanooga Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics 