Erica Block is the Senior Director of Food and Nutrition Services for RUSH University Medical Center and Rush Oak Park Hospital. Her areas of expertise include team development, financial acumen, regulatory compliance, customer satisfaction, and employee engagement. She is actively involved in several initiatives at RUSH around good food purchasing, increasing local and sustainable purchases, and supporting nutritious quality food for all.
Erica started her career as a Clinical Dietitian focusing on renal and geriatric patients. She completed a research assistantship at Michigan State University where she also completed her Master’s in Nutrition and Dietetic Internship. Erica completed her Bachelor’s Degree in Food Science and Human Nutrition-Dietetics at University of Illinois in Urbana-Champaign.
Prior to her role at RUSH, Erica was the Central Chicagoland Food and Nutrition Services Regional Director for Advocate Aurora Healthcare. She also worked in multi service line management for Aramark Healthcare overseeing food and nutrition services, valet, environmental services, and linen. While working for Aramark for close to ten years she acted as the Peer Review Program Coordinator for the Midwest Region and was awarded as an Outstanding Aramark Dietitian.
Erica is currently on the AHF Board of Directors and the Nominating Chari-Elect for the Management in Food and Nutrition Systems Dietetics practice group with the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. She is also a member of the International Food Manufacturers Association Healthcare Food Leadership Council.