Nourish Medical: FAQ & Talk Tracks
This document is intended to support RDs in introducing Nourish Medical when it feels clinically appropriate, while maintaining Nourish’s nutrition-first ethos and patient-centered tone.
General Overview
What is Nourish Medical and who is Dr. Ajay Haryani?
We’re now offering integrated medical consults to support patients whose nutrition care overlaps with medical needs (lab interpretation, medication review, complex symptoms)
All consults are currently conducted by Dr. Ajay Haryani, a board-certified Internal Medicine physician with clinical expertise in cardiometabolic health, obesity, chronic disease management, and multidisciplinary primary care
He completed residency training at UCSF Medical Center and medical school at Northwestern University and has been working with our team since 2024
Nourish Medical will expand to include additional medical providers over time, all aligned to the same care standards and collaborative model
Where is this offering available?
Currently, patients located in select states are eligible: Kentucky, Louisiana, Missouri, Nebraska, Oklahoma, Utah, Virginia, Wyoming
We’ll expand to additional states as we scale and add more providers
What can I refer patients for?
You can refer patients who may benefit from medical input alongside nutrition care, including:
Lab review and diagnosis discussion
Targeted symptom review
Chronic disease context and management
Medication review or complexity
Guidance on appropriate specialty follow-up
Complex or medically nuanced cases
Referral decisions are guided by RD clinical judgment and patient needs
At this time, prescribing medications or ordering additional labs (beyond Nourish’s basic cardiometabolic panel) are not areas that we can currently support
How do I refer a patient?
In the Provider Portal, choose Refer [Patient name] button in the Chart Note
Select a referral reason and add brief context (e.g., relevant lab values)
From here, the patient may be able to view medical provider availability and schedule a time slot; if no appointments are available, the dietitian can submit the patient for placement on the waitlist
If using waitlist:
Our team triages to the Nourish Medical waitlist - Nourish coordinates all scheduling, communication, and documentation
If approved, your patient will receive an email and notification that they can now schedule their 25-minute virtual visit
After the visit, the medical provider’s chart note will automatically appear in your patient’s appointment list - keeping you aligned on care
After the session, you will receive an email of the Nourish Medical appointment summary, which you can also view in the portal
How do I know if my patient was scheduled?
You’ll see a “Nourish Medical consult scheduled” flag in the patient’s chart
You’ll also receive a short summary note in your inbox once the visit is complete, outlining key updates and next steps
What if my patient already has a PCP?
Having an established PCP is a strength and should be affirmed.
For patients who already have a PCP, Nourish Medical can be framed as an additional, nutrition-informed perspective, not a replacement
You may say:
“That’s great. Nourish Medical isn’t meant to replace your primary care provider - it’s a way to add focused medical insight that supports the nutrition work we’re doing. Many patients find it helpful to have another set of eyes on labs or symptoms through a metabolic and nutrition-informed lens.”
Patients are not asked to disengage from their PCP, and when appropriate - and with consent - insights can be shared to support alignment across care teams
What about patients who don’t have a PCP?
Some patients may not have an established primary care provider or may have limited access to medical care.
In these cases, Nourish Medical can serve as a supportive entry point for medical context, while longer-term care needs are clarified
RDs should avoid positioning Nourish Medical as a full PCP replacement, but can acknowledge that it may help bridge gaps in access
Scope of Practice
What’s my scope once the patient has a Nourish Medical consult?
You remain the lead for nutrition and behavior change
Use the Nourish Medical provider note to inform your plan - e.g., med-related side-effects, lab goals, or condition context
Do not diagnose medical conditions, prescribe medications, or alter medical treatment plans
When appropriate, encourage patients to share Nourish updates with their external PCP or specialists
How should I explain Nourish Medical to patients?
“As we work together, there are moments when having a bit more medical context can be helpful - especially around labs, symptoms, or medications. Nourish has medical providers who work closely with our team and can provide that perspective while we continue focusing on nutrition. It’s optional, and we can explore it together if it feels supportive.”
This framing keeps nutrition at the center and positions the physician as an extension of care
Coordination & Communication
How will I communicate with Nourish Medical providers?
Direct messaging is not supported at this time
Nourish Medical visit summaries automatically post back to the chart - no separate handoff required
How should I handle questions or feedback about the workflow?
For broad feedback or logistical questions → use the relevant Slack channel, #best-practice-nourish-medical
For private or structural feedback → submit the anonymous Google Form (reviewed by Clinical leadership)
Documentation & Follow-Up
What documentation is required after a Nourish Medical consult?
Review the provider note and update your next RD chart note to reflect coordination
How will results and updates flow between providers?
Nourish Medical provider notes and updates will post automatically to your Provider Portal and will be emailed to you after the session
No additional manual communication or emailing is needed, although you’re welcome to fill out the Google Form above for any feedback
Patient Communication
How should I talk to patients about coordination with their existing providers?
Example language: “If you already have a primary care clinician or specialist involved in your care, we’ll keep them in the loop with a short summary of your Nourish visit, with your consent. We want all your care providers to be aligned and make things easier for you.”
Always confirm the patient’s consent before any external outreach.
Many patients have found it helpful to have a second medical opinion, or even supplement their existing providers through this offering.
What about patients who feel hesitant or anxious?
Some patients carry hesitation based on prior experiences with medical care that felt rushed, judgmental, or impersonal
Nourish Medical visits are intentionally structured to feel different:
collaborative rather than directive
grounded in respect for the RD-patient relationship
focused on understanding rather than evaluation
Patients should always feel invited, never pressured
Safety & Escalation
What if I’m worried about a patient’s medical status or symptoms?
For urgent medical concerns (e.g., chest pain, severe dizziness, BG > 400 mg/dL, suicidal ideation):
Instruct the patient to seek emergency care immediately
Document the conversation in the chart
Notify Ajay via email (ajay.haryani@usenourish.com)
For non-urgent clinical questions or clarification: use Ajay’s office hours or post in the relevant Slack channel, #best-practice-nourish-medical