Mona Van Wart, RD Retires With 30 Years of Service
Mona Van Wart, Registered Dietitian is retiring after an over 40 year career in the nutrition profession. She spent the last 31 years as the dietitian at Calais hospital.
Mona is a Maine native born and raised in Orrington by her mill worker father and homemaker mother. She graduated from Brewer High School with a plan in place to seek a career in the field of nutrition. As part of her recovery from a surgery at the age of 15, Mona was referred for a dietitian consult. She explained the consult left an impression on her, not just for the information that was provided, but for the thought of “I could teach people this…..and be much nicer about it!” With that experience in mind, combined with her love of cooking and learning about food, Mona was drawn to the nutrition field. She attended the University of Maine at Orono and earned her Bachelor of Science in Food & Nutrition and then moved on to Framingham State College in Framingham, MA where she earned her Master of Science in Food & Nutrition.
Mona’s working years saw her in the capacity of cafeteria worker, chef, nutrition assistant/consultant and dietitian. Prior to relocating to Calais, Mona worked for Indian Island School, WIC, EMMC, Aroostook County Action Program and Augusta Mental Health Institute. She officially joined Calais Regional Hospital in July 1994; however she had been a fixture in the organization since 1990 – working as a contract employee for the hospital. In looking through the various roles Mona has held; it is very obvious that Mona has a true passion as an educator. Whether it was teaching a patient how to eat healthier, a group on general nutrition, or even the legislative reps in Augusta on her role in healthcare and the importance of our hospital – Mona’s knowledge, care and compassion always shown through.
In Mona’s years at the Calais Hospital, the list of organizations her expertise was contracted to is immense and encompasses most healthcare organizations in the county. Her list of community outreach is even more immense. She has regularly provided education/presentations to high school and college classes, the hospital staff and the community at large. Mona provided hands on cooking classes, demonstrations and shopping tours of the local grocery stores. She never shied away from requests to participate in community events and also regularly wrote articles, blogs, and website/social media content. She even let her gardening experience be documented and reported on for a couple of seasons – sharing her failures, successes and many great recipes on what to do with a garden harvest.
As documented above, Mona’s time as a Dietitian was busy and full; however, she still managed to give even more of herself to the people of Washington County. She served local breast cancer patients as a Reach to Recovery program volunteer, Look Good Feel Better Coordinator and co-facilitator of Encore Plus/Breast Cancer Support Group. She assisted area students in the nutrition field as a preceptor, she was a ServSafe Instructor and an exam proctor. Mona has participated on numerous boards for area schools and organizations, always willing to share her knowledge and expertise. She has received numerous awards and accolades, including Employee of the Year Awards at our hospital in 1997 and Augusta Mental Health Institute in 1988.
Mona shared that what she has most enjoyed about her career is, “I was able to do a great variety of things. Not being tied to only inpatient/outpatient visits made this a lasting career I could be passionate about that gave me great joy.” Her dedication has not gone unnoticed. As stated by one of our long-term area providers in a note regarding Mona: “She has put her heart and soul into her work for the patients of the county and she will leave a big void when she retires. My patients have greatly benefitted from her expertise.”
In retirement Mona is looking forward to slowing down, spending time with friends and family, working on some projects around her Meddybemps home, and more traveling. Staff will be holding a Retirement Celebration in Mona’s honor on Thursday, September 16 at 2 p.m. in the hospital classroom. Congratulations Mona on your retirement!
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