About Us
ERIKA VAN CALCAR, MS, RD, LD
Erika Van Calcar was born and raised in Port Angeles, Washington, where she grew up hiking in the Olympic Mountains. After becoming a dietitian in 2003, she worked in her new field in a variety of capacities, including at a community hospital, with an organization that provided services to prenatal and postpartum women and their families, for her own business and as a caregiver in a group home for developmentally disabled adults. She has lived in Alaska for three years and most recently worked with children at a behavioral health hospital.
Erika became a dietitian because she has a passion for food and for helping people. “I am fascinated by how tightly woven together food and emotions are which, I think, is one of the main reasons why people struggle so much when it comes to changing how they eat. I think that’s one of the reasons why I am so excited to be a part of the team at Anchorage Bariatrics. I have the opportunity to help people move from where they are in their health and relationship with and understanding of food to where they want to be.”
Erika has traveled to Greece, Turkey, Bulgaria, England, Canada and Mexico. She loves learning about other people, cultures and food. When she’s not working, she loves walking and hiking with her three dogs, reading and trying desperately to learn to crochet.
“The real kicker was the day I had to carry around my nine-month old granddaughter and I was not able to do it. That’s when I found clinical dietitian, Erika Van Calcar. I’ve lost 103 pounds! Being successful feels so good! I’m doing things I haven’t done in over a decade and I feel 30 years younger!” – Kat H.
SOLEIL THIELE, RD, LD
Soleil Thiele was born and raised in South Lake Tahoe, California. After graduating high school, she moved to London, England, to pursue a degree in sports rehabilitation. However, she began to realize that this career path was not meant for her. Luckily, during her time in England, she found her true passion, nutrition.
She left London and moved to San Jose, California to attend San Jose State University where she obtained her degree in Nutritional Science (Dietetics) in 2019. A few months after graduating, Soleil and her boyfriend drove over 3,000 miles to Palmer, Alaska, where she now resides.
While living in Alaska, Soleil completed her dietetic internship, passed the RD board exam, and officially became a Registered Dietitian. She is excited about the opportunity to use her knowledge of nutrition to help individuals overcome their struggles around food and achieve their health goals!
Soleil has successfully completed Monash University's online training course: The Low FODMAP Diet for Irritable Bowel Syndrome. Soleil has gained the knowledge that enables her to more effectively and confidently manage patients presenting with IBS.
In her spare time, Soleil enjoys going to the gym, hiking, crocheting, spending time with her boyfriend and cat, and cooking up some tasty food in her kitchen.
STACI KLOSTER, RD, LD
Staci Kloster is a born and bred Alaskan originally from Juneau and she currently resides in Eagle River. Staci graduated from the University of Alaska in Anchorage with a bachelor’s degree in dietetics. Upon graduating, she completed a 1200-hour dietetic internship in Anchorage. After completing her internship, Staci finished the last step to becoming a registered dietitian which was to pass her RD exam.
Prior to joining the team at Anchorage Bariatrics, Staci worked as a nutrition coach providing support and accountability for her clients by helping them improve their overall relationship and mindset with food. She is excited to bring her passion and knowledge to Anchorage Bariatrics and continue assisting clients in improving their overall health through nutrition.
Although food and nutrition have long been a passion of hers, it was not until Staci was diagnosed with Crohn’s disease in 2007 that she truly knew she wanted a career in nutrition. This was when she realized that food was more than just food and that everyone has their own journey and relationship with the foods they eat.
In her spare time, Staci enjoys fishing with her husband or hiking with their two dogs. She also enjoys cooking and growing her own vegetables, especially since getting a greenhouse. Staci may not have the greenest of thumbs, but she finds it very rewarding to watch a plant grow from seed to harvest.
LINDSAY WOOD, REGISTERED DIETITIAN
Lindsay Wood was born in Florida and has spent most of her life living in Alaska. She attended college in Texas and got her degree in Food, Nutrition and Dietetics and then returned to Alaska to complete her dietetic internship through UAA in 2001. Since then, Lindsay has worked with the Alaska WIC program and with the Alaska Native population providing outpatient nutrition counseling before coming to Anchorage Bariatrics.
She enjoys talking with patients about their health and nutrition concerns and helping them work to make beneficial changes for their overall health and wellness. In her spare time, Lindsay loves traveling with her husband, being outside, biking, walking and enjoying her favorite foods and restaurants.
“Erika, the dietitian, is hilarious. I always enjoyed going to my meetings with her. They’re all just awesome!”
“Erika, the dietitian, is hilarious. I always enjoyed going to my meetings with her. They’re all just awesome!”
Jen D.
“The entire staff is wonderful! They get to know you on a personal level.”
Jennifer D.
“From the minute you walk in, everyone is great. They hired the right people. They make you feel welcome – no fat shaming, so understanding, empathetic – with these kinds of people, it all just falls into place.”
