Alumni and Friends

Cynthia L. N. Baranoski

B.S.’95, Nutrition

2018 Rising Star

Cindy Baranoski, M.S., R.D.N., L.D.N. is one of the leading pediatric special needs dietitians in the field, creating and working with the nutrition program and interdisciplinary feeding clinic at the regarded Easter Seals DuPage & Fox Valley Pediatric Medical Rehabilitation Center since 1999. She has helped children with special needs and their families receive nutrition support, which might not otherwise be realized, through her work with doctors, therapists, insurance companies and funding organizations.

Baranoski previously held positions at Benedictine University, Alexian Brothers Medical Center and The Quaker Oats Company. She is a preceptor with dietetic interns for numerous universities and routinely lectures at the University of Illinois at Chicago. Her list of publications and citations is vast and includes professional journals, medical textbook chapters and numerous national and international speaking engagements.

Baranoski graduated summa cum laude with a Bachelor of Science in Nutrition from Benedictine University in 1995 and a Master of Science in Nutrition from Northern Illinois University in 1999. She holds a Pediatric Weight Management certificate from the Commission on Dietetics Registration and is credentialed by the Early Intervention System in Illinois. She is also a nationally registered and licensed dietitian in the states of Illinois and Connecticut. Baranoski was most recently the recipient of the distinguished Spotlight Award from Easter Seals DuPage & Fox Valley, whose nutrition program was awarded “Excellence in Service Innovation” from Easter Seals National. She received the 1995 Community Service Award from Benedictine University; Outstanding Graduate Thesis at NIU; and the Emerging Leader Award from the Illinois Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics.

Baranoski is certified in Ayurveda, Meditation and Yoga as a Vedic Educator through the Chopra Center for Wellbeing in California and has been a hairstylist in Oak Brook for 36 years. She lives with her newly retired husband and her bird and enjoys practicing yoga, meditation, hiking, seeing movies and traveling.