Gardening is one of Jessica’s favorite hobbies. She’s pictured here on the left participating in a potting class at a local nursery with some friends.
Jessica Barbieri isn’t your average dietitian. Working in both the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) and The Adult and Pediatric Burn Institute, supported by The Paul and Carol David Foundation at Akron Children’s, she plays a vital role in ensuring our most vulnerable patients receive the specialized nutrition they need to heal and grow.
“I’ve been with Akron Children’s for four years,” Jessica says. “The opportunity to work with neonates in the NICU initially drew me here. Over time, I’ve expanded my experience to the Burn Center and other areas, which has fueled my professional growth as a dietitian.”
As a registered dietitian, Jessica helps neonates who were born early or with complex medical conditions thrive. In the Burn Center, she focuses on patients undergoing a hypermetabolic response, ensuring they have the right nutrients to support healing and skin graft success.
Jessica and her husband, Nick, traveled to Italy in summer 2023.
Jessica’s passion burns brightest when caring for complex patients, and it’s what fuels her desire to make a positive difference in her patients’ lives.
“I’m particularly drawn to babies with intricate gastrointestinal (GI) issues and chronic lung disease,” she says. “In the Burn Center, I find immense satisfaction in supporting patients with extensive burns by providing the nutritional support they need to recover.”
Maintaining a healthy work-life balance is crucial for Jessica, who will soon be a mom.
“Staying active and reading help me unwind,” she says. “My garden is especially therapeutic, and starting my own seeds this year extended the joy of seeing my plants flourish.”
Scheduling activities with loved ones ensures she has time to disconnect and recharge.
Jessica meets with the mom of 6-week-old NICU patient Raymond Strupulis to discuss his feeding needs and plan of care.
“I work 5 days per week, so I schedule plans in advance to make sure I see my friends/family after work or on weekends,” she says. “My husband and I also dedicate time on weekends to pursuing our interests.”
For new dietitians joining Akron Children’s, Jessica says, “Never hesitate to ask questions. We’re all on a learning journey. The best way to learn is to seek clarification from physicians, nurses and other specialists.”
Her happiest moments at work come from seeing a positive change in a patient’s trajectory after she has recommended a new feeding approach or nutritional intervention.
“Both the NICU and Burn teams foster collaboration,” Jessica says. “We discuss complex cases, pushing each other to learn and grow constantly. It is a great team to be a part of as everyone has their area of expertise, and you have a ‘village’ to discuss complex patients with and talk through situations.”
In addition to her friendships with her colleagues, it’s also the connections she has built with her patients and families that make working at Akron Children’s more than just a job.
“It’s a privilege to be part of a team that makes a tangible difference in the lives of our patients and their families,” she says.
Interested in working at Akron Children’s? Visit careers.akronchildrens.org.
