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Meet Kerri Louati, MS, RD, CDE, a Florida-based Vibrant Education Specialist, Registered Dietitian, and Certified Diabetes Educator with a passion for clinical education and helping others.
In this month's Clinical Team Spotlight, we delve into Kerri's dedication to the healing power of food and nutrition and her remarkable journey in combining her love of learning with her clinical career.
Below, Kerri shares what led her to her chosen field, her #1 advice for patients and providers, her favorite Vibrant lab tests, and the unexpected experiences that have shaped her both personally and professionally.
Background and Education
What are your credentials and certifications? Where did you go to school?
I am a Registered Dietician and Certified Diabetes Educator. I received my bachelor's degree from Bastyr University and have my master’s in Nutritional and Functional Medicine from the University of Western States.
What led you to pursue that degree?
During my first year in college, my grandmother was diagnosed with breast cancer and sought alternative care. She kept herself in remission for 30 years.
So, from a young age, I saw the healing power of food and nutrition and how an integrative lifestyle can benefit the body. I became fascinated and knew from that point on that I wanted to go to school to study something in the integrative medicine field.
What is your area of focus?
My area of focus is the result of my own experience with my family. I have twins that were born micro-preemies at 24 weeks. They went through a host of medical issues and had G-tubes. So, I fell into the subspecialty of working with children with developmental delays and health issues associated with premature babies, such as feeding difficulties, gastrointestinal problems, and neurological dysfunction.
Doctors often send these children to different specialists for each specific issue, but I help piece the different clinical symptoms together, creating a whole health picture.
Professional Insights
Can you describe your role at Vibrant?
I started as a Clinical Lab Educator before moving on to my current role as Education Specialist. I create a lot of clinical interpretive guides and educational materials.
What led you to Vibrant?
I used to be on the other end of the spectrum—receiving clinical consults as a Vibrant provider for Foodicinal, my private practice.
Although I’ve had my own private practice for a long time, I always thought working on the clinical team would be the most rewarding experience. I loved the idea of combining lab consults with education.
What’s your favorite part about your job?
I’m a seeker of knowledge at heart.
Trying to formulate clinical information in a creative and translatable way excites me.
I love that I get to understand the “why” behind so many different things through evidence-based research.
What achievement are you most proud of?
Whenever I help a family or individual overcome a health challenge, especially one they haven’t gotten any help or answers for from conventional medicine, I find it incredibly rewarding. I’m proud to be a part of that process.
What is your favorite Vibrant lab test?
The Neural Zoomer is my favorite lab because there’s nothing like it on the market. It gives so much valuable information when dealing with neurological issues.
What motivates you to get out of bed and do the work each day?
I try to have an attitude of gratitude and hunger for life.
My gratitude for everything I have in life—from my family to my career—motivates me. It allows me to wake up and feel excited and thankful for the day.
What is your #1 advice for providers?
Listen to your patients. They have a story to tell, and there’s so much wisdom and information we can get from our patients’ stories. Also, treat them as individuals and human beings.
What is your #1 advice for patients?
My advice would be to tune into your body and allow yourself to make connections with how everything around you influences your body. Once you tune in, you discover so much.
Trust yourself and your instincts; trust your body.
Is there a favorite health tip you'd like to share?
I have found so much power in rebuilding the gut with prebiotics, through both food and supplements.
If you really want to build diversity and strengthen the gut microbiome, focus on getting prebiotics from sustainable foods.
Do you have any seemingly unrelated job or life experiences that helped prepare you for your role today?
I grew up in a home remodeling family, which instilled in me the power of transformation.
I learned that you can take something in need of repair and create something beautiful.
Outside of Work: Hobbies and Interests
What do you like to do when you’re not working?
I love being on the beach, but my heart and soul are in the mountains! I enjoy hiking, being connected to my food through gardening, and just generally being connected to nature.
I also enjoy traveling and being immersed in different cultures. I think connecting with people in life who are different from you is so fascinating.
Where do you live?
I live in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. I grew up on the West Coast and have lived all over the U.S., including California, Seattle, and New York. I returned to Florida to raise a family and be close to my family.
Where is your favorite spot in your city?
Albeit cliché, my favorite spot is the beach. I love hanging out in the sand and meditating there. There are these beautiful Banyan trees that line the beach coastline, and it feels like you’re lost in the forest and beach. I love the culmination of those different terrains.
Share one surprising fact about yourself
I practiced karate for most of my childhood and was one belt away from a blackbelt. I can probably kick some butt!
Karate taught me how to defend myself—emotionally and physically—and helped me overcome challenges. It taught me I can do things I never would’ve thought possible.
Kerri Louati is Florida-based Registered Dietitian and Education Specialist with a certification in Diabetes Education. Kerri obtained her bachelor’s degree from Bastyr University and her master’s from the University of Western States. She specializes in neonatal care and developmental delays in premature infants.
