Meet the Team

Heather Cupp, RD, LDN
Pediatric Weight Management, Medical Weight Loss
Primary Care
Phone: 919-350-3827
Email: hcupp@wakemed.org

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Olivia Watson, MS, RD, LDN 
Pediatric Dietitian 
Pediatric Weight Management, Outpatient Nutrition
Phone: 919-350-3821 
Email: ofassino@wakemed.org

Olivia Watson is a registered dietitian with clinical interests in malnutrition, picky eating, avoidant/restrictive food intake disorder (ARFID), gut–brain axis and functional gastrointestinal disorders. She earned her bachelor's degree from University of Georgia in Athens, GA. She continued her education, completing a master's degree at Meredith College in Raleigh, NC.

Watson empowers children, encouraging them to have a positive relationship with food in order to develop lifelong healthy habits. 

When not working, Watson enjoys running, cooking, sewing and spending time with family and friends.

Parul Kharod, MS, RDN, LDN
Primary Care, Gastroenterology
Diabetes Management, Kidney Stone Center 
Phone: 919-350-3823 
Email: pkharod@wakemed.org

Parul Kharod is a registered dietitian and licensed nutritionist with clinical interests in gastroenterology, food allergies, kidney disease, kidney stones, diabetes and heart health. She counsels adult and pediatric patients in the outpatient setting. Besides individual nutrition counselling, Kharod also teaches group classes for WakeMed's Diabetes Management Program  and is a member of the Prevention Team at WakeMed Urology Kidney Stone Clinic. She collaborated with the Celiac Disease Foundation to start a support group for people with Celiac Disease and gluten intolerances; she has now expanded it as a support group for Celiac and food allergies as a branch of the Gluten Intolerance Group. She contributes to WakeMed Voices blogs and writes health and nutrition articles for various publications. Kharod earned her bachelor's and master's degrees from M.S. University in Vadodara, Gujrat, India. She is formally certified by the Commission on Dietetic Registration and has certifications in vegetarian nutrition, food allergies and gastroenterological disorders from the Academy of Nutrition & Dietetics.

Kharod has a global perspective about diverse eating habits and is able to assist people in making appropriate lifestyle changes while still conforming to their cultural preferences. She believes in a "no-diet" approach, focusing on practicality and balance to improve overall health for the mind and body.

Outside of work, Kharod enjoys reading, listening to music, watching movies and traveling.

Krista Kiger, MEd, RD, LDN
Cardiac Rehab — Raleigh, WakeMed Physical Therapy — Brier Creek, Cambridge Village
Phone: 919-350-3829
Email: kkiger@wakemed.org

Krista Kiger is a registered dietitian and certified wellness coach with a clinical interest in heart disease. She earned her bachelor's degree in foods, nutrition and institution management from East Carolina University in Greenville, NC. She went on to complete a master's degree in nutrition at University of NC-Greensboro in Greensboro, NC. She is listed on the NC Board of Dietetics/Nutrition and Commission on Dietetic Registration.

Kiger never assumes anything about her clients. She meets clients where they are and does not come across as the "food police." She realizes that in order to gain trust and confidence, they must work together on goals that the client feels are attainable and important.

When not working, Kiger enjoys weight lifting, hiking, biking, cooking and baking, pet sitting and going on walks with her daughter.

Courtney Kozischek, MS, RD, LDN
Outpatient Nutrition — Raleigh, Durant, Cary
Primary Care
919-350-3830 
Email: ckozischek@wakemed.org

Courtney Kozischek is a CPR-certified, registered dietitian with clinical interests in diabetes, healthy eating, sports nutrition and weight-inclusive nutrition care. She earned her bachelor's degree from Appalachian State University in Boone, NC. She went on to complete a master's degree at Meredith College in Raleigh, NC.

Kozischek believes food is very personal and that nutrition should be individualized to meet each person's specific needs. Healthy eating and exercising navigate people on lifelong journeys best traveled one step at time employing small, attainable goals. She also believes it is important to establish a positive relationship with food and understand that food is not only fuel for the body, but it is also tradition, culture, comfort and natural medicine.

When not working, Kozischek enjoys rollerblading, weightlifting, spending time with friends and family and baking cookies.

Marcus McFarland, MPH, RD, LDN 
Pediatric Endocrinology 
Outpatient Nutrition Services 
Phone: 919-350-2297 
Email: mmcfarland@wakemed.org

Marcus McFarland is a registered, licensed dietitian nutritionist with a clinical interest in pediatrics, and in particular, helping to provide valuable nutrition education and counseling to pediatric patients with Type I and Type II diabetes. He earned a bachelor's degree in nutrition and foods from Appalachian State University in Boone, NC, (Go 'Neers!) and a Master of Public Health degree from University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill in Chapel Hill, NC, (Go Heels!)

McFarland's personal patient care philosophy is centered on spreading kindness and a smile to every patient he supports.

Outside of work, he loves to hang out with friends and family, cook, hike, explore outdoors and listen to music.

Carol Mary Medins, MPH, RD, LDN, CNSC 
Pediatric Dietitian 
Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition 
Phone: 919-350-3822 
Email: cmedins@wakemed.org

Carol Mary Medins MPH, RD, LDN, CNSC is a dietitian with clinical interests in short bowel syndrome, irritable bowel disease (IBD), irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), avoidant/restrictive food intake disorder (ARFID) and Celiac disease. She has additional specialty training in pediatrics, gastroenterology, tube feeding and total parenteral nutrition (TPN). Medins earned her bachelor's degree from the University of New Hampshire in Durham, NH. She then relocated to North Carolina and completed a master's at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill in Chapel Hill, NC. She is certified by the Commission on Dietetic Registration, North Carolina Board of Dietetics/Nutrition and American Society for Parenteral and Enteral Nutrition (ASPEN).

Medins collaborates with patients and their families because she acknowledges that wellness is a team effort. By working together, families can see their pediatric patient thrive.

Outside of work, Medins spends her leisure time cycling, swimming, reading and hiking.

Julie H Paul, MS, RD, LDN 
Supervisor Outpatient Nutrition Programs 
Outpatient Nutrition — Clayton 
Email: jpaul@wakemed.org

Julie Paul is a registered dietitian with clinical interests in integrative nutrition, weight management and wellness with specialty training in pediatric weight management. She earned a bachelors and masters degree in nutrition and dietetics from East Carolina University in Greenville, NC.

Paul believes every patient is an individual with different needs. She loves working with patients, empowering them to discover ways they can improve their health.

When not at work, Paul loves being in nature — hiking trails, snow skiing, camping and gardening. She also enjoys cooking, exploring new recipes and spending time with family.

Rebecca Simpson, MS, RD, LDN
Outpatient Nutrition — Raleigh and Cary
Cancer Care — Hematology & Medical Oncology
Primary Care 
Phone: 919-350-3825
Email: resimpson@wakemed.org

Rebecca Simpson, MS, RD, LDN, is a dietitian with clinical interests in oncology (working with those in active treatment as well as survivors), type 2 diabetes and prediabetes, lipid disorders. She earned her bachelor's degree from Western Carolina University in Cullowhee, NC. She then completed a master's at Meredith College in Raleigh, NC. Simpson is certified by the Commission on Dietetic Registration.

Simpson collaborates with patients to come up with realistic changes they can make to improve their health.

When not at work, Simpson enjoys spending time with her husband and two daughters — camping, hiking and swimming.

Mary Turner, MS, RD, LDN
Nutritionist — Outpatient Nutrition
Phone: 919-350-3817
Email: maturner@wakemed.org

Mary Turner is a registered, licensed dietitian nutritionist with a clinical interest in pediatrics. She completed a bachelor's degree at University North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC. She then earned a master's degree in nutrition and completed a dietic internship while attending Meredith College in Raleigh, NC.

She is passionate about helping children and their families build healthy habits that fit into their everyday lives. Additionally, she takes the time to understand each family's unique situation, working collaboratively with them to create realistic, manageable goals that support long-term health and well-being. 

Outside of work, Turner loves spending time with her husband and son, gardening, cooking, reading Harry Potter, watching sports (Go Canes and Panthers!) and doing dance workouts.

Trish Vulpis, RD, LDN
Bariatric Surgery Clinical Dietitian
Email: tvulpis@wakemed.org

Trish Vulpis is an experienced registered dietitian specializing in bariatric patients. She earned her bachelor’s degree in dietetics from Auburn University in Auburn, AL. She is board certified in obesity and weight management and has over three decades of experience as a dietitian. Vulpis has a passion for helping patients meet their individual needs through one-on-one counseling sessions. Her goal is to empower patients to recognize their diet challenges and provides them with the tools to achieve a healthy and sustainable lifestyle.

Ashlea Waters, RD, LDN
Outpatient Nutrition
Email: ashwaters@wakemed.org

Ashlea waters is a licensed and registered dietitian nutritionist. Her clinical interests include perimenopause and post menopause, weight management, GLP-1 use, hyperlipidemia (cholesterol control) and prediabetes. She completed bachelor's degree in public health nutrition at University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill in Chapel Hill, NC. She then finished a dietetic internship at East Carolina University in Greenville, NC. She also has a certificate of training in obesity for pediatrics and adults by the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics.

Waters approaches patient care with compassion and a willingness to listen. She relies on her patients' personal goals and concerns to direct their care. Together, they figure out how to include more nutritious foods into their diet and more physical activity in ways that fit their lifestyle.  At each session, they end with small, manageable goals that help patients move toward better health.

When not working, Waters loves going to new restaurants around the Raleigh area, trying out yummy recipes, playing pickleball with family, planning game nights with friends and taking long walks with her dog.

Grace Zeck MPH, RD, LDN, IBCLC
Pediatric Weight Management, Pediatric Outpatient Nutrition, Outpatient Lactation Consulting
Email: gzeck@wakemed.org

Grace Zeck is a registered, licensed dietitian nutritionist with clinical interests in family- based nutrition, concerns with growth, picky eating, and feeding difficulties. She attended undergraduate school at University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and received a Bachelor of Science in public health with a nutrition focus. She then returned there for graduate school, where she earned her master's degree in public health and completed the necessary requirements to become a registered dietitian. She also finished the Mary Rose Tulley Training Initiative lactation program for her second year of grad school to become an International Board of Lactation consultant examiner. 

Her patient care philosophy is centered on approaching each person as an individual and offering personalized recommendations and treatment. Realizing ever person is valuable and deserving of quality care, she makes the effort to make them feel seen, heard and understood. Since each patient has a unique story that she is privileged to learn about, she also tailors specific nutrition recommendations to individualized needs.

Zeck's personal hobbies include reading, walking, running, spending time with family and church community, finding new coffee shops and cooking.