Meet Our Team & Collaborators!

While Alissa Francis is expecting baby #3, our team will be growing to ensure our clinic flow and referrals continue to offer support to the community. Accessing nutrition and activity services are a vital part of healthcare, and we prioritize offering more accessible services to support comprehensive care.

We have welcomed the following NEW Team Members:

Elisa Porretta

Clinical and Research Manager

As an aspiring Registered Dietitian, Elisa is currently enrolled in the Nutrition and Food program at Toronto Metropolitan University (4th year, undergraduate student). She has already earned a Wellness Coaching Program certificate through the Nutrition and Healthy Lifestyle Promotion Diploma at Humber College. As the Clinical Manager for Healthy U, Elisa assists with overseeing clinic flow, projects / workshops related to community engagement and knowledge translation to multiple audiences. She is involved in all aspects related to developing nutrition care plans, client resources, tailored meal plans while ensuring the content is derived from evidenced-based, up-to-date clinical practice guidelines. Elisa participates as a co-facilitator for various group sessions with clients, corporate events and brand partnerships relations. Her passion and core value to strive for excellence, makes Elisa an invaluable team member that strengthens the integrity and quality of service from Healthy U.

Alisa Bar-Dayan

Registered Dietitian

Alisa Bar-Dayan is a Registered Dietitian with 20+ years of clinical experience from The Hospital for Sick Children. Alisa specializes in weight management and metabolic health (i.e. high cholesterol, fatty liver, high blood sugars, and hypertension), optimizing growth through energy boosting / picky eating strategies, and introduction to solids / food allergies. Alisa has extensive experience working collaboratively with other healthcare providers, and therefore, creates comprehensive nutrition care plans for the families she works with. Alisa utilizes motivational interviewing techniques in her counseling practice to help engage children and adolescents in their nutrition plan, and ensures it is tailored to each family's needs. Alisa is passionate about providing up-to-date, evidence-based care that is translated into practical, fun, and simple plans.

Managing your health goals often extends beyond nutrition and food behaviours. Including other healthcare providers can offer a more comprehensive and effective approach, such as including experts in psychology, physical activity, and medicine.

We have welcomed the following Collaborators: