Ashley Short, registered dietitian, sees patients of all ages for a variety of areas, some including diabetes care, eating disorders, weight management and sports nutrition.
When Ashley Short was deciding on a career, she knew she wanted one that involved helping others and making positive connections with people.
"There's no better feeling than knowing you've made a positive impact on someone's life, or simply brightened their day," Ashley said.
She has always had a strong passion for nutrition and fitness, so combining this passion along with her desire to help others led her to a career in dietetics.
Ashley completed her Bachelor of Science in dietetics degree from the University of Wisconsin – Stout in Menomonie, Wisconsin in 2006. She later completed her dietetic internship at Viterbo University in La Crosse, Wisconsin and passed her registered dietitian exam in 2008. She received her Certified Diabetes Education and Care Specialist designation in 2015.
Ashley joined Marshfield Clinic Health System in 2012 and as a registered dietitian, she enjoys working in all areas and seeing all patients, but especially enjoys diabetes care, eating disorders, weight management and sports nutrition.
"The power of nutrition is incredible, whether it's for disease prevention or management, sports performance or developing a healthy relationship with food," she said. "We are only blessed with one body and it is important to take good care of it and be thankful for everything it is capable of."
Ashley strives to help people make lifestyle changes that are manageable long-term. She works to treat each person and patient as an individual. What may work for one person, may not work for another. She enjoys helping people identify their inner motivation to be successful with lifestyle changes.
"If we don't have a valuable reason to make lifestyle changes, it's easy not to follow through," she said. "It is important to find your 'why' in life."
Ashley said her 'why' is her family.
"I want to be healthy and active for my children and set a good example for them," she said.
Ashley and her family live in Altoona. They enjoy biking, rollerblading, swimming and playing sports together. They also enjoy relaxing together by watching movies, reading, creating art work and playing board games.
"I see how fast my children are growing up and savor every moment with them," she said.