Maddy Belaustegui saw numerous cases of chronic, but often preventable, illnesses such as diabetes and kidney disease during her work as the director of dietetics at an acute care hospital.
She decided to do something about it and founded the company Desert Dietitians.
“My goal was to ensure preventative health care was available to people in my community,” said Belaustegui, who resides in Las Vegas with husband Pierce Belaustegui ’14 and their two children. “And I wanted to make sure those same people knew they could use their health insurance to see a dietitian.”
Desert Dietitians has grown into a dietitian staffing agency connecting its dozen independent dietitians in five states with healthcare facilities. The outpatient practice continues to fill a significant need for services such as nutrition consulting and meal planning, metabolic testing, weight loss, blood work, peptide and vitamin injections, oncology and other medical nutrition, and workplace wellness.
“The business helps solve problems and bridge gaps in services,” she said. “With my healthcare leadership experience, I have an in-depth understanding of the needs and pain points of the industry. I am able to help healthcare facilities provide excellent nutrition care and follow federal guidelines. I have a passion for health and preventative medicine. Empowering dietitians to be the best they can be and helping others is the most rewarding part for me.”
Belaustegui was recognized for her achievements with the Nevada Outstanding Dietitian of the Year award in 2023. She also served as the President of the Nevada Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics from 2020–23.
As a young child growing up on a farm, Belaustegui experienced the peak of farm-to-table. Eating meals that her family grew and hunted gave her a special passion for food. Her mother, Amy, is a registered dietitian who had gone to grad school with Viterbo faculty member Dr. Carol Klitkze and recommended Viterbo’s coordinated program.
“I was beyond happy with my experience at Viterbo,” said Belaustegui, who now provides internship opportunities for Viterbo students. “It is my vocation to be a dietitian, and there is no better place to study it than Viterbo. Everyone at the university was so supportive, especially when my future husband and I became young parents. Viterbo will always be a very special place for us.”
While she still sees clients occasionally, serving as the CEO of Desert Dietitians has given Belaustegui the passion for the management and administration of a business. She has earned an MBA and is currently studying for the nursing home administrator licensure exam and plans to expand her career in hospital administration.