About Us
Welcome to Nutrition Connection! Our goal is to provide a venue to Reno area residents and businesses for receiving accurate nutrition information in a practical and realistic approach that will result in improved health and well being for every client served. We offer a host of services sure to meet the varied needs of individuals, groups and companies, where everyone equally benefits in knowing how to eat well and live healthfully. These services can be tailored to a program offering the information and skills suited to the given situation and needs of the audience.
Meet the Team
Shauna Tavcar
Dietitian/Owner
After getting her first degree in 2009, Shauna spent nearly a decade working in health and human services for the State of Nevada before electing to return to school to pursue her passion in nutrition. She completed her nutrition and dietetics degree at University of Nevada, Reno and rotated through Carson Tahoe Hospital, St. Mary's Hospital, and local skilled nursing facilities during her internship. Shauna is a native Northern Nevadan and believes strongly in helping her community. Her personal areas of interest include GI/digestive health nutrition, sports and performance nutrition, diabetes, and weight management. She has also been trained on the low FODMAP diet through Australia's Monash University.
Nikki O'Neal
Dietitian/Owner
Nikki completed her undergraduate degree at the University of Nevada, Reno and went on to graduate with a Master's Degree in Functional Nutrition at Bastyr University in Seattle, WA. While at Bastyr, she presented her thesis on Diabetes Self Management Programs. Following graduation, she went on to complete her internship at CSU Sacramento with an emphasis on disease prevention and health promotion. Her personal areas of interest include disordered eating, diabetes prevention and management, pediatrics and intuitive eating. Nikki recently finished a 34 hour comprehensive eating disorder treatment course through Marci Evans, RD Eating Disorder Training Program.
Sierra Kirby
Dietitian
Sierra grew up in Minnesota where she developed a passion for the outdoors and health. Growing up with a parent with Type 1 Diabetes exposed her to the importance of nutrition as a tool for disease management. Sierra obtained her BS in Dietetics and Certificate in Global Health from the University of Wisconsin-Madison in 2016. From there, she went to the University of Minnesota-Twin Cities where she obtained her MPH degree and completed her dietetic internship. Check out Sierra’s published research in the journal, Transgender Health. Soon after graduating, Sierra became a Registered Dietitian in 2018. She moved West and gained experience working at University of Nevada, Reno Extension, Tribal Heath, and Carson Tahoe Health. She obtained her certification as a CDCES in 2023. In her free time, Sierra enjoys camping, cooking, and crafting. Sierra is passionate about the science of nutrition, community health, and diabetes education and is excited to be able to serve the Reno-Sparks community.
Tia Mittelstadt
Office Manager
Tia has been a valuable member of Nutrition Connection for over 7 years. She is the first friendly face you will see when you enter our doors and works tirelessly to enhance the client experience.
Kurt Hauser
Receptionist
Kurt is the first friendly face you will see when you enter our doors on a Monday or Friday. He and Shauna first met in 2011 when they were both working for the state. Kurt graciously allowed Shauna and Nikki to drag him out of retirement with minimal kicking and screaming.
