Get to know us: Colleen McMeen, RDN, CD 

Meet Colleen McMeen, a registered dietician nutritionist and certified nutritionist. She’s been part of the MultiCare Mary Bridge Children’s Hospital family for 15 years, helping kids internalize balanced food choices as a lifelong skill.

McMeen received her pediatric nutrition training from Washington State University. Her forte is supporting children and their families as they find sustainable steps that work for the whole family. She works at the Mary Bridge Children’s Nutrition clinic on Union Avenue.  

We went behind the scenes with McMeen to get to know her a little better.   

What is the most rewarding part of your job?  

Seeing youth and their caregivers feel empowered to make health and nutrition choices that support their individual lifestyles. 

What is your favorite way to lighten the mood with patient and families?  

Getting to know patients and families helps me connect to what motivates them. Helping them to understand which foods help them grow healthy and strong, whether they’re excited about making the soccer team or just trying to manage a food allergy.  

What is something you’d like every one of your patients to know? 

My colleagues and I are here to meet our patients where they’re at. Behavior changes are multifaceted, so we offer support from multiple angles as kids share their motivation and make changes to move towards their goals.  

Kids love Disney! What is your favorite fictional character?  

Baloo from the Jungle Book, or Winnie the Pooh. Woody from Toy Story is cool, too. 

Kids also love treats. What is your favorite treat?  

I have so very many! Summer raspberries from my dad’s patch may be my favorite.  

Mary Bridge Children’s providers are already superheroes, but if you could have one special superpower, what would it be?  

I’d have super stretchy, strong arms! I’d use them to reach out and protect people from the tide of judgement that can affect their relationships with people and with food. If those hands also gave out food to those who need it, like our summer meals program, even better.  

Do you have hobbies outside of work?  

I like to spend time with her family outside exploring or in my backyard garden. I also love to cook and use fresh herbs and veggies that my kids help me grow whenever I can. 

What is your Mary Bridge Children’s “why”? 

Watching patients grow and thrive using skills we’ve worked on together keeps me going. Intuitive eating is one of those important skills that kids can lose when their eating is tightly controlled. 

This is part of a new blog series introducing the many dedicated experts who provide care in a wide variety of medical specialties at MultiCare Mary Bridge Children’s Hospital & Health Network. To find a provider, visit marybridge.org/providers.