CURRICULUM VITAE

Name: Mrs. Vilasini Bhaskaran

Profession: SCOPE Registered Clinical Dietitian (HCPC, UK) – BDA registered

Date of Birth: 24/11/1977

Educational Qualification:

M.Phil. Nutrition, Food Service Management and Dietetics (2001-2002)

M.Sc. Nutrition, Food Service Management and Dietetics (1999-2001)

B.Sc. Nutrition, Food Service Management and Dietetics (1996-1999)

Specialist Areas: Weight management, bariatrics, diabetes, HIV, food allergies, FODMAP, eating disorders, acute enteral feeding (general), gastro, neurological rehabilitation, cancer rehab, musculoskeletal rehab, respiratory conditions.

Mailing Address: No. 35, Presthope Road, Birmingham B29 4NJ

Contact No: 074********

E-mail ID: adp1c5@r.postjobfree.com

Professional Experience In Academics:- Guest Lecturer, Coventry University (2019-till date)

Professional Experience and areas of expertise:

Circle Rehabilitation Hospital, Birmingham – Lead Dietitian (September 2021 – till date)

- Dietetic intervention for patients in rehab setting - MND, Stroke, weight management, type 1 and type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disorders, food allergies, FODMAP diet and other acute cases including enteral feeding/ ONS management.

- Liaising with mental health teams to decide on appropriate care and treatment plan for patients with eating disorder.

- Presenting and participating in MDT's

- Handling outpatient clinics

- Developing service and attending CCG meetings as and when required

- Training ward staff on nutrition and hydration.

Professional Experience and areas of expertise: NHS

A. October 2018- till date: Bank Diabetes Specialist Dietitian (Remote) - Oviva UK Ltd - London

1. Delivering clinical consultations remotely via phone or video calls or to provide coaching using the Oviva app to clients / patients / users of Oviva’s UK services.

2. Supporting patients on Diabetes contracts as needed.

3. Using Oviva technology to provide remote follow-up support and coaching - Utilising behavioural change, and motivational techniques, to support the patient through the length of the programme.

4. Maintaining accurate and up-to-date clinical records using Oviva’s secure electronic medical record system.

5. Adhering to all Information Governance and data protection regulations in the handling of patients data.

B. September 2018-till date: Specialist Weight Management and Bariatric Dietitian – UHB

1. Managing clinics - weight management and bariatrics (telephone and face-face)

2. Assessing and referring patients requiring fluoro-guided gastric band assessment/ adjustment/ OGD/US

3. Participating and discussing patients in MDT meetings with Physicians, Dietitians, Psychologists, Radiographers and Surgeons

4. Conducting clinical audits as required

5. Observing bariatric surgeries (gastric band, sleeve gastrectomy and gastric bypass) in the operation theater to get an in-depth understanding of the procedures

6. Attending study days and conferences as needed

7. Participating and presenting research topics related to obesity and associated co-morbidities

8. Supervising student Dietitians in their clinical placement

9. Psychology MDT for patients with mental health issues

- Completed training modules: - Ionising radiation (e-IRMER) - BHH

- Completed presentation: - Obesity and Cancer - Analyzing available evidences

- Completed audit: - supper meal audit on ward

- Completed training program: - Developing Supervisory, Leadership and Preceptorship skills, Behaviour Change Communication, Warwick Hospital

- Completed and attended BOMSS (British Obesity and Metabolic Surgery Society) Conference, Oxford, 2021

C. January 2018-August 2018:- Dietitian - New Cross Hospital (RWT)

Rotational Dietitian - Surgical, respiratory, renal, cardiology, diabetes, acute pancreatitis and oncology. Participating and presenting in journal clubs.

Completed training programs:-

1. Developing skills on enteral feeding - BDA

2. Supervisory skills for Dietitians New to Practice - Coventry University

3, Preceptorship study day programs - diabetes, mental health, personality and understanding of behaviors - New Cross Hospital

Professional Experiences in India:

1.Dietitian – The Medical Park Age Management Clinic (Head Office: Harley Street, London)

Duration: July 2009 – August 2010

Responsibilities

Preparing diet charts in consultation with the patients and the doctors.

Amending the same in accordance to the patient’s medical condition.

Teaching and demonstrating healthy cooking techniques using models

Nutrition education to mitigate problems due to degenerative disorders including hypertension, cardio vascular abnormalities, pre-diabetes/ diabetes including gestational diabetes etc.

Presentations in International meetings and involving in research activities.

2.Organization Name: UNICEF, Chennai

Designation: Nutrition Consultant

Duration: April 2008 – December 2008

Responsibilities

Providing technical assistance and support to District and Block Officials for taking up Integrated Child Development Scheme (ICDS) accreditation systems and development of model Anganwadi Centers (AWCs) in the pilot blocks of Tirunelveli and in Krishnagiri districts

Providing support for training on use of new WHO growth chart and monitor implementation of the same at field level and strengthen linkages with related sectors

Implementing programmes and conducting capacity building activities regarding personal and environmental hygiene at urban and rural settings

Documentation of RCH II initiatives by the Government of Tamil Nadu with support from UNICEF

Providing technical support to monitor implementation of Infant and Young Child Feeding (IYCF), and Baby Friendly Hospital Initiative (BFHI)

Facilitating planning and monitoring of the pilot initiative on the prevention of adolescent anemia in Poonamallee block of Thiruvallur district

Providing technical assistance for developing health cards focusing on anemia for adolescent girls as a part of “Adolescent Anemia Control Programme”

Supporting Health Department for organizing sensitization programmes on Iodine Deficiency Disorders (IDD) for the newly recruited Food Inspectors

Involved in the ‘Child Friendly Village Planning’ Programmes supported by UNICEF in Krishnagiri District of Tamil Nadu

Involved in the analysis of bottlenecks in the implementation of health and nutrition services in the government health settings in two Districts of Tamilnadu and one District in Kerala

3. Organization Name: Solidarity and Action Against the HIV/AIDS Infection in India (SAATHII)

Duration: October 2005 – April 2008

Designations:

3.1.Program Manager – An USAID Initiative called SAMARTH

The USAID supported SAMARTH project aims at improving the response of State Governments and Civil Societies towards HIV/AIDS initiatives in India. This project is implemented by a consortium of partners namely FHI, CMAI, SAATHII, and INP+ and is operative in four high prevalence states of Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh and Maharashtra.

Responsibilities

Managing the project activities as per timeline and provides technical and

managerial support to the project team and consultants as per PEPFAR

indicators.

Conducting need-based customized trainings for diverse group of people

including Self Help Group women and men, Anganwadi workers, ANMs, PLHIVs, CBOs, and US Government partners in high prevalence states of Tamilnadu, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, and Maharashtra.

Facilitating timely availability of high quality need-based TA and capacity

building for state and district level partners as per contractual agreement with

FHI.

Developing need based curriculum and providing capacity building on

specific modules on par with PEPFAR indicators and guidelines.

Handling approval of all administrative matters before submission to the

Project Director - including contracting of consultants, travel and workshop

management, leasing and maintenance of office equipment and information

technology.

Tracking the activities in the FHI MIS database and responsible for data management as per the PEPFAR indicators.

Collating and submitting the project narrative and financial utilization reports

to FHI.

3.2. Information Specialist – An UNDP Initiative called Information Communication Technology (ICT)

Supported by the Pan-Asia Networking ICT R&D Grants Programme, and administered by the Asian Media Information and Communication Center, Singapore, the ICT project has developed SAATHII's India HIV/AIDS Online Resource Center that leverages the power of internet and other information communication technologies to help fill knowledge and information gaps, build capacities of service provider agencies and individuals working on HIV/AIDS in India, support networking and collaborations, and foster communities of practice.

Responsibilities

Developing training modules for different thematic areas (eg. Anti-retroviral

therapy, prevention of mother-to-child transmission, sex-gender-sexuality,

counseling, monitoring/evaluation, etc.) in consultation with staff in the

respective programs.

Developing and implementing information- and knowledge- needs

assessments of NGOs, CBOs and others.

Designing and managing Online Resource Center which accommodates discussion forums, a digital library, e-training, and online support to NGOs for which SAATHII offers capacity-building. (visit http://www.saathiiorg/orc).

Gathering, classifying and uploading information for the electronic library.

Facilitating online training sessions.

Compiling science and policy e-newsletters on HIV/AIDS.

3.3. Technical Specialist – Nutrition

As a Nutrition Specialist, I was instrumental in developing Nutrition related IEC materials and modules, and have provided Nutrition-related technical assistance to various programs including Tamil Nadu Family Care Continuum (TNFCC) Programme, and SAMARTH within SAATHII.

Responsibilities

Prepared 14 chapters on Nutrition and HIV for e-training that is scheduled to go online soon. The module is prepared for Nutritionist, Social Workers and Outreach Workers working for HIV infected and affected population. Topics include:

1.Nutrition basic concepts

2.Vitamins and minerals

3.Basic food groups

4.Link between nutrition and HIV

5.Nutritional management for adults with HIV/AIDS

6.Nutritional management of HIV - AIDS related symptoms

7.Nutritional Assessments - Part 1

8.Nutritional Assessments - Part 2

9.Nutritional care and support for Pregnant and lactating women and adolescent girls infected with HIV

10.Nutritional Care for Infants and Children Infected with HIV or Born to HIV-infected Mothers

11.Drug and Food Interactions

12.Role of Nutritional Care and Support in HIV-AIDS

13.Nutrition Education and Counseling for PLHIV

14.Food safety and hygiene

Breast feeding Vs. Replacement feeding: Have handled topics on “Role of Self Help Group Women in Prevention, Care, and Support of PLHIV” with an in-built nutrition component including “Breast feeding Vs. Replacement feeding for HIV-Infected mothers” for women belonging to self help groups and anganwadi workers/ ANMs. Over 492 women from self help groups, community based response groups and NGOs have been trained till September 2007. These activity-based trainings were conducted in regional languages.

Have provided inputs and comments to the nutrition flipchart that is being developed for Nutritionists and PLHIV.

Others: Delivered a lecture on “Nutrition for Women” for doctors and para-medicals at the Institute of Obstetrics and Gynecology (IOG), Egmore, Chennai.

4. Organization Name: WHO Collaborating Centre for Research, Education & Training in Diabetes, M.V.Hospital for Diabetes, Royapuram, Chennai.

Designation: Project Officer

Duration: December 2003 – September 2005

The project aims at capacity building of 3000 doctors, 1080 Nurses and 360 paramedical personnel from Govt. sector, NGO sector and Private sector from 7 Target States such as Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Gujarat, Orissa and New Delhi.

Responsibilities

Resource person for various nutrition-related topics including but not limited to

1.Medical Nutrition Therapy (MNT) – Doctors, Nurses, Nutritionists and Health Care Workers

2.Addressing myths and misconceptions pertaining to nutrition - Doctors, Nurses, Nutritionists and Health Care Workers

3.Nutrition for special conditions like Diabetes, HIV, cardiovascular diseases, anemia, pregnancy, lactation etc - Doctors, Nurses, Nutritionists and Health Care Workers

Delivered a 5 minutes talk on All India Radio (AIR) about Role of Nutrition in Prevention and Control of Diabetes during the ‘World Diabetes Week’.

Conducting needs assessment for capacity building of doctors and paramedical personnel such as Nurses, Dieticians, Health Educators, Medical Social Workers, Multi-Purpose Health Workers and Village Health Workers on Diabetes Prevention, Control, Care and Support, Complications and Program management at Community level.

Preparation of training modules, teaching aids and course materials for various capacity building programs in consultation with eminent Diabetologists.

Planning and preparing Annual Training Calendar and Training Schedule for doctors and paramedical capacity building Programs.

Providing logistic support for smooth conduct of capacity building programs.

Acting as Training Coordinator and Faculty for the various capacity building programs conducted in-house.

Conducting of Pre- test and Post-test for each of the capacity building programs.

Facilitating in organizing outreach capacity building programs for Doctors and Multi Purpose Health Workers as well as acting as faculty at Andhra Pradesh in collaboration with BAIRRAJU FOUNDATION and at Kerala.

As a member of Advocacy Team of DRC-WDF project, sensitizing State policy makers, NGOs, IMA and private doctors groups towards reduction of life style risk factors and impacting policy on designing a National Diabetes Control Programme.

Documenting field experiences collated from the Doctors and Paramedicals attending the capacity building programme and preparing case studies for teaching purposes.

Planning and facilitating conduct of State level, National level and International Level Workshops (World Congress on Prevention of Diabetes, 2005, Chennai) and Seminars at Chennai.

Organizing Health Expo 2005 on diabetes - public awareness raising at Valluvar Kottam - March 4 – 6, 2005.

Supporting ongoing Primary Research studies such as Health Economics study, practice profile of participants, follow up study of capacity building programs (learning to action), and Secondary research/ Literature study of Diabetic diet with focus on Gestational Diabetes, life styles of people with Diabetes in different countries through Internet.

Attending monthly review meetings conducted by the DRC-WDF Board.

Setting agenda and drafting minutes of Steering committee meeting of health secretaries of target states once in six months, Curriculum committee and Research committee meetings once in three months.

Preparing quarterly progress reports for sending to the Headquarters of World Diabetes Foundation in Denmark.

Handling of petty cash in connection with Capacity building programmes and public awareness raising events.

5. Organization Name: Prof. Dhanapalan College for Women, Chennai.

Designation: Lecturer in Food Service Management & Dietetics

Duration: July 2003 – December 2003

Responsibilities

Teaching Postgraduate Students – M.Sc (Nutrition).

Guiding and Supervising M.Sc Students on thesis work.

Managing fete and food melas attracting a gathering of 600 people.

Nutrition-Related Researches:

A. Research Areas:

(i) M.Sc [Nutrition and Food Service Management]

Nutritional Anemia:

Study Title: “A comparative Study of the Effect of Supplementation of Spirulina and Iron Tablets on Anemic Adult Working Women Belonging to Lower Income Group”

Scope of the study: Iron deficiency anemia is the most common problem encountered in adolescent girls and females of reproductive age. The study determined and compared the efficacy of spirulina and iron tablets on the hemoglobin levels of anemic adult women. The dietary habits of the samples were also studied. The results revealed that both iron and spirulina supplements were effective in the treatment of marginal iron deficiency anemia without causing side effects.

Suggestion for further study: A more detailed study could be planned to evaluate the impact of Nutrition Education Program which would substantiate the long-term strategy suggested by National Nutritional Anemia Prophylaxis Program of the ICDS Scheme. Target groups may include children, adolescents, adults, pregnant and lactating women.

(ii) M.Phil [Nutrition and Food Service Management]

Gestational Diabetes Mellitus:

Study Title: “Prevalence of Gestational Diabetes Mellitus (GDM) in Selected Hospitals and Outcomes of Pregnancy”

Scope of the study: The study on Gestational Diabetes Mellitus, an endocrine disorder complicating pregnancy assessed the prevalence of gestational diabetes, dietary pattern of gestational diabetics, outcomes of gestational diabetic pregnancy on the offsprings of 46 gestational diabetic women attending 3 government and 3 private hospitals in Chennai. The prevalence of gestational diabetes was 0.37%, but the consequences of GDM on the mother and the offspring may cast a severe burden on the health care delivery system of the mother. It is highly recommended to sensitize women of reproductive age, medical fraternity, nutritionists, dietitians and nurses on the adverse effects of gestational diabetes mellitus.

Suggestion for further study: Education and awareness pertaining to health- seeking behaviour of females, adequate information on gestational diabetes and its consequences in the offspring and the mother, and nutrition counseling should draw the attention of National Diabetic Control Program and other programs focusing on women and child welfare.

Presentations:

1.Co-authored a paper on “Information Communication Technology (ICT) for HIV/AIDS Knowledge Transfer in India” for International AIDS Conference, 2006, Toronto.

2.Co-authored a paper on “HIV Technical Knowledge – Is it Enough?” for President’s Emergency Plan For AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) International Conference, 2007, Uganda.

International Training:

1.Attended a three-day training on “Masterclass Nutrigenomics” organized by Wageningen University at Wageningen, The Netherlands, between July 6 and 8, 2009.

Experience with the Government Sector:

Area 1: HIV/AIDS

Liaisoning with State and District AIDS Control Societies (SACS)

(i) Tamil Nadu:

a. State AIDS Control Society: Has a good rapport and network with Tamil Nadu State AIDS Control Society (TANSACS). I was one of the resource persons in the three-day workshop for 24 Tamil Nadu District Program Managers (DPMs) at Yercaud in September 2007 as requested by TANSACS Project Director Ms. Supriya Sahu.

Recently, I have trained 43 positive networks and 4 community based organizations in Tamil Nadu on NACP 3 policy guidelines framed by National AIDS Control Organization (NACO) based on TANSACS request.

Other TANSACS-related activities include:

Developing a state-wide HIV/AIDS District profile – as requested by TANSACS Project Director

Developing a handbook on PLHIV schemes – as requested by TANSACS Project Director

b. District AIDS Control Societies:

Liaisoned with the District Collectors of Thiruvallur, Kanchipuram, and Villupuram for developing HIV/AIDS district level plans. I was instrumental in developing the same for 6 other districts of Tamil Nadu.

(ii) Other State AIDS Control Societies (SACS): Liaisoned with State AIDS Control Societies of other States including Karnataka, Maharashtra and Andhra Pradesh for providing need-based customized technical assistance to their staff and District Program Managers.

Area 2: Diabetes

Experience with the State Governments:

Apart from Tamil Nadu, I have a notable experience with State Governments of other states including Andhra Pradesh, Maharashtra, Karnataka, Kerala, Gujarat, and Orissa to develop programs for diabetes. Have trained government Doctors and Para-medicals in diverse areas pertaining to diabetes under World Diabetes Foundation Project, an initiative of WDF, WHO and IDF.

Area 3: Community Nutrition

Experience with the State Government:

As an UNICEF Consultant for Nutrition programmes in Tamil Nadu, I have liaised with the State Govt. of Tamil Nadu and Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS) for implementing activities including – a. accreditation of Anganwadi Centers (AWCs) and developing model AWCs in the pilot districts of Krishnagiri and Tirunelveli, b. facilitating planning and monitoring of the pilot initiative on prevention of adolescent anemia in Poonamallee block of Thiruvallur district, and c. liaisoning with the Social Health Department for organizing sensitization programmes on Iodine Deficiency Disorders (IDD) for newly recruited Health Inspectors.

Trainings Attended:

1.HIV/AIDS: Attended 7 days Training of Trainers (TOT) on HIV/AIDS organized by Population Services International (PSI) at Chennai, Tamil Nadu and was graded as the “Best Performer”.

2.Attended a three-day training on Experience Sharing and Documentation of OVC Programs in India, Bangalore organized by USAID and FHI.

3.Soft Skills: Attended a one-day training on “Building your Leadership skills” – Hyderabad.

Computer Skills:

Proficient in MS Office - Word, Power point, Excel, Internet, E-mailing

Proficient in GIS Software – SPINFO

Proficient in HTML programming and using dreamweaver

Awards/Ranks:

1.“BEST THESIS AWARD & ROLLING SHIELD” for M.Sc. Thesis on Anemia

2.“FIRST RANK HOLDER” in Dietetics Internship in M.Sc

3.“HIIGHLY COMMENDABLE STATUS” for M.Phil Thesis on Gestational Diabetes Mellitus

Languages Known:

English, Tamil and Hindi

References:

Eleanor McGee, Clinical Lead and Team Leader, Weight Management and Bariatrics, Heartlands Hospital. Email ID – adp1c5@r.postjobfree.com

Sally Abbott, Team lead - Bariatric research, Heartlands Hospital, Email:- adp1c5@r.postjobfree.com

Dr. Muhammad Azam - senior Specialty doctor, diabetes and weight management, Heartlands Hospital for reference. Email Id:-adp1c5@r.postjobfree.com

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