Walter Wanas, RDN, LDN, is a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist with more than 20 years of experience in clinical nutrition, Lifestyle Medicine, graduate medical education, healthcare leadership, quality improvement, and program development. He currently serves as Director of Lifestyle Modification and Clinical Dietitian-Nutritionist at The Wright Center for Community Health and Graduate Medical Education in Scranton, Pennsylvania.

In his current role, Walter provides evidence-based Medical Nutrition Therapy to pediatric, adult, and geriatric patients, with a particular focus on obesity management, diabetes and prediabetes, cardiovascular health, and chronic disease prevention and treatment. He works closely with interdisciplinary healthcare teams to integrate nutrition, behavior change strategies, and the six pillars of Lifestyle Medicine into primary care.

Walter is actively involved in graduate medical education, developing and teaching nutrition and Lifestyle Medicine content for Family Medicine residents and supporting the expansion of nutrition education for Internal Medicine residents. His teaching emphasizes practical clinical application, motivational interviewing, shared decision-making, dietary assessment, case-based learning, and the use of Food as Medicine principles.

Before joining The Wright Center, Walter served as Nutrition Manager, Clinical Dietitian, and Foodservice Director at Reading Hospital Rehabilitation Hospital within the Tower Health System. In this leadership role, he directed clinical nutrition and foodservice operations for a 110-bed inpatient rehabilitation hospital and led initiatives involving quality improvement, regulatory compliance, patient satisfaction, staff development, budgeting, and interdisciplinary care. He has also held leadership and consulting positions overseeing multisite clinical nutrition operations, community wellness programs, foodservice systems, and professional education.

Walter earned his Bachelor of Science in Nutrition Science with a minor in Business Administration from The Pennsylvania State University and completed his dietetic internship at Marywood University. He is a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist, a Licensed Dietitian-Nutritionist in Pennsylvania, ServSafe® certified, and a National Diabetes Prevention Program Certified Lifestyle Coach.

Throughout his career, Walter has been committed to advancing nutrition as a cornerstone of preventive healthcare and chronic disease management. He is recognized for translating complex nutrition science into practical strategies for patients, healthcare professionals, medical residents, and community audiences.