Free nutrition support helps community build healthier habits

Healthcare access and quality were identified as critical needs in the 2025 Community Health Needs Assessment completed for Buffalo and Pepin counties in Wisconsin.

In response, AdventHealth Durand, a critical access hospital serving these two communities, developed a plan to address healthcare access and quality in collaboration with local organizations to improve the overall health and wellbeing of the communities.

Empowering the community through education

As the main medical care facility in a rural community where there are no other hospitals within 35 miles, AdventHealth Durand has committed to improving health outcomes through education.

In 2025, the hospital continued offering free nutrition consults to patients in response to the 2025 Community Health Needs Assessment.

“In our community, 38.1% of residents are obese,” said Kailyn Niebur, registered dietitian at AdventHealth Durand. “This is higher than the Wisconsin state average of 37.7%. In addition, 11.5% of local residents have diabetes. When questioned, 22.5% of adult residents had not exercised in the past 30 days. In order to support our community members to live a healthier life, we continue to offer free nutrition consults.”

Nutrition consults and ongoing support can look different depending on the level of support needed by each patient.

Once a referral is made, the patient receives a call from Niebur to schedule an appointment for the initial nutrition consult.

Afterward, dependent on the patient and their health goals, they may continue with biweekly visits for up to two months.

When that patient is seen to be making a marked improvement, they will graduate to monthly, bi-monthly or quarterly visits.

Niebur sees patients from all walks of life seeking to improve their health through changes in nutrition.

In guiding them through these changes, she is able to help patients live a more whole life.

“No two patients are alike in regard to their health, eating habits, relationship with food or what works for them,” Niebur said. “I meet people where they are and support them along their health journey. Because my services are free, I am able to truly support patients. Neither insurance nor cost are a barrier.”

Niebur’s patients shared how their journey through learning better nutrition habits and implementing those habits have improved not only their health but their quality of life.

Angela Morgan, a patient who lost weight by implementing these better nutrition habits—and kept the weight off—said, “I didn't expect to feel this good. Before, I couldn't carry my grandchild or climb a flight of stairs before needing to rest. I can now. I’m thankful to Kaitlyn for supporting me.”

A continued focus on healthcare access and quality

Following the results of the Community Health Needs Assessment, AdventHealth Durand created a Community Health Plan with Health Care Access and Quality as an area of focus for the next two years.

As part of that plan, the hospital is committed to exploring partnerships with other organizations in the community that will help further expand access to nutrition and wellness resources.

This year, Niebur has partnered with St. Vincent de Paul, a local organization hosting monthly mobile food distributions.

Each month, the organization provides 100 boxes of food to local families.

Niebur developed handouts that are distributed with the boxes covering nutrition and health information plus a recipe that utilizes the food in each box.

“So often, participants at food pantries receive foods they do not know how to cook or prepare,” Niebur said. “That is where the education and handouts I create come into play.

“It takes a team to help us feel our best. Nutrition is one piece of the puzzle and AdventHealth Durand is here to support you along the way.”