Gippsland Lakes Complete Health (GLCH) has welcomed dietitian Jess de Voogd to its community health team, continuing a family connection to healthcare in East Gippsland.
Jess’s grandfather, Dr Bert de Voogd, was a long-serving GP at the Jemmeson Street clinic — the same site now home to GLCH’s allied health services.
Jess joined GLCH in February and is currently providing dietetic services in Lakes Entrance. She said the opportunity to work in a place so closely connected to her family history had been particularly meaningful.
“Healthcare has always been part of my life,” Ms de Voogd said.
“My Opa’s work in the community inspired a strong respect for primary care and supporting people through all stages of life.”
Jess said she was drawn to dietetics because of the important role food plays in both physical health and emotional wellbeing.
“Food is part of our everyday lives and our social worlds,” she said.
“My approach focuses on building positive, realistic relationships with food that support health and quality of life.”
At GLCH, Jess works with people of all ages and backgrounds, supporting clients with issues including loss of appetite, unexplained weight loss and malnutrition, particularly among older people.
She also assists people seeking sustainable approaches to weight management and supports clients accessing services through the NDIS, Support at Home programs, GP referrals and self-referrals.
Jess said she aimed to break down common nutrition myths and provide practical advice suited to everyday life.
“There are no ‘good’ or ‘bad’ foods,” she said.
“Small, realistic changes, like adding vegetables you actually enjoy or pairing snacks with protein, can make a big difference.”
Jess also works closely with children and families, supporting feeding difficulties, growth monitoring, diabetes management and food allergies, including cow’s milk protein allergy.
She has completed additional study in paediatric nutrition and managing irritable bowel syndrome using the FODMAP approach.
Her work also includes supporting people living with gastrointestinal conditions such as inflammatory bowel disease, coeliac disease and ostomy management, along with chronic conditions including diabetes, cardiovascular disease, kidney and liver disease, pancreatitis, and nutrition support during cancer treatment.
Outside work, Jess enjoys hiking and camping and said the values of community, care and connection continued to guide her approach to healthcare.
