July 21, 2000

Helen Doherty, RD, FMP, director of MGH Nutrition and Food Services, left, has gotten used to media attention. Since she won the 1999 Massachusetts Restaurateur of the Year award last spring, Doherty has received dozens of requests for interviews – the most recent being a profile piece for the "21st Century Lives" segment of ABC World News Tonight. Doherty wasn't prepared, however, for the onslaught of calls and e-mails she received after the segment aired nationally July 7.

"The feedback has been unbelievable, and it is still coming," says Doherty. "I've been getting more than 25 e-mails or phone calls every day since the show aired."

The majority of phone calls have been from people who saw the show or who logged on to the Internet to participate in the chat room conversation where Doherty answered questions online.

"Many people who have left messages liked the segment and commented on how the piece changed their perceptions of what hospital food is like and the role registered dietitians have in preparing good food," says Doherty. She adds that most of the messages have come from families and caregivers asking her advice on food preparation for seriously ill patients who aren't getting the right kind of nutrition.

"I've been sending out information and sample packages of food supplements to people all over the country," says Doherty.

For more information about MGH Food and Nutrition Services, call Doherty at 726-2522.