Karen Molnar, MS, RD, LDN

When I was growing up, I always enjoyed being in the kitchen and cooking. I loved taking simple ingredients and learning to create something that satisfies the senses, fuels the body and brings people together. With time, I became more interested in the impact of food choices on overall health and disease prevention. These two areas of interest merged nicely in to the dietetics profession. I believe in taking a balanced approach to nutrition with emphasis on making lifestyle changes. I take the time to understand each patients goals and to empower each patient to reach them through nutrition education, goal setting and problem solving. I strive to create an environment of positive support and motivation. Outside of work, I like to spend time with my husband and our families. I love the fall for the nice weather and football games. I enjoy getting out and exploring different walking trails and hikes in the area with our dog, Franklin. Recently, I have developed a passion for practicing yoga and the balance it helps bring to my life.

I chose to be a dietitian for its wide scope of practice and my passion for helping people who struggle with various conditions. Diet can affect our health in so many ways, both physically and emotionally and I like that this profession can help with both. In a world when we look for quick fixes and treatments, as a dietitian I prioritize my focus on prevention. I like to help my patients avoid becoming sick and preventing a medical condition by making them feel empowered in terms of their own health through daily healthy dietary choices. It is rewarding to see that even a little bit of change in a diet can make such a big difference in a patients life. My approach to patient care includes effort to provide individualized patient-focused care, to listen humbly and closely to patients needs and assist in overcoming the obstacles and challenges in living a healthy lifestyle. Even though a medical condition can be the similar for a few patients, the dietary goals and needs to manage that condition are unique to each patient. Each individual is capable of making a dietary change and maintaining a healthy lifestyle, but there is a need for the right tools, reliable information and a compassionate motivation from a dietitian to achieve their nutritional goals. When I am not at work, I like to spend time with my family and friends. I also like to walk, garden, try new recipes, watch sports (soccer, football, baseball and basketball).

Eight years ago, Amy arrived in in Apex NC, with a dream of helping people with autism. Having treated many children with autism during her 12 years as a speech and language pathologist, Amy knew she had found her calling. Amy found that while she was able to help children with autism to speak, she never felt that she was addressing their true needs. While researching what's available for families touched by autism, she found what she was looking for, a therapy that uses the best teachers any child has - his parents. In 2004, she founded Pathways Treatment Center Inc, a place dedicated to helping families affected by autism.Pathways Treatment Center offers families the education, tools and support they need to help their child with autism. We offer Communication therapy, Occupational therapy and Relationship Development Intervention ( RDI ). Pathways' families learn to turn daily living activities into opportunities to guide their child's neurological development. Through "guided participation, " Pathways' families improve their child's internal motivation, develop thoughtful and reciprocal communication and establish strong, meaningful relationships.