Meet the Dietitian

Susana Debbe, MS, MPH, RDN, CDN 

Susana is the new Registered Dietitian Nutritionist at Fordham University, joining the Fordham community in 2022. She is excited to embark on this new journey with Fordham’s students, staff, and faculty. 

Susana provides complimentary nutrition therapy counseling at Rose Hill and Lincoln Center campuses as well as virtually. You can find her at different Health & Wellness Pop-ups throughout the school year promoting nutrition education on overall well-being. She also helps our students with dietary needs (allergies, intolerances, preferences, and religious restrictions), answering dietary related questions, and connecting students to our culinary team. Susana is looking forward to joining the Rams and hopes to aid in implementing nutritional strategies for Fordham’s dining programs.

SUSANA’S NUTRITION PHILOSOPHY:

Susana is passionate about helping students improve their relationships with food and their bodies.  She practices a weight neutral, “non-diet” approach to counseling and recognizes optimal wellness as multifaceted with mind, body, and spirit. She believes you can enjoy all the foods you love without elimination. She focuses on self-motivation to empower you to make lifestyle choices/changes that are sustainable and encouraging. 

BEFORE FORDHAM:

Previously, Susana practiced as a Clinical Dietitian at Advent Health Daytona Beach in Florida. She oversaw the nutrition care of patients with various medical conditions. She performed comprehensive nutrition assessments including malnutrition evaluations, calculated individual nutrient and energy requirements for optimal recovery outcomes, and managed patients’ non-oral nutrition regimens (tube feedings and IV nutrition). She additionally assisted the hospital foodservice team to ensure patients’ nutrition aligned with their goals of care. 

EDUCATION & CERTIFICATIONS:

Susana completed her bachelor’s degree in Chemistry from New York University in New York, NY. She achieved dual graduate degrees from Tufts University in Boston, MA: a Master’s in Public Health concentrating on Nutrition Interventions, Behavioral Change & Health Communications, and a Master of Science in Nutritional Epidemiology. She completed her certificate Didactic Program in Dietetics (DPD) at Simmons College in Boston, MA.
Prior to sitting for the national Registered Dietitian Nutritionist (RDN) board exam, she completed her Dietetic Internship at Texas Health Presbyterian Hospital in Dallas, TX. 

As an active member of the Academy of Dietetics and Nutrition, Susana strives to remain up to date with evidence-based research and actively completes continuing education to stay current in the ever-evolving science of nutrition.

Specializations and Advance Certifications to better serve the Fordham community: 

FUN FACTS:

A Long Island native from a small beach town out east, Susana enjoys spending time at Long Island's Wine Country- especially where she spent 3 years as a Senior Wine Educator for a sustainable winery and vineyard that exclusively produces sparkling wine using the Méthode Champenoise. Wherever there are fish tacos, mangoes and/or sparkling wine, you will find her there with a beaming smile.

CONTACT INFORMATION & COUNSELING APPOINTMENTS:

For Nutrition Counseling Sessions book an appointment below:

Nutrition Counseling Booking Calendar

For Allergies/Intolerances/Dietary Needs Inquiries:
Set up a time to discuss dietary related restrictions/needs to better navigate dining locations email: ramhealth@fordham.edu