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For more than 35 years, Daina Kalnins has been a familiar face in cystic fibrosis (CF) nutrition care in Canada. Cystic Fibrosis Canada is proud to honour her with the 2025 Multidisciplinary Healthcare Award: Dietitian, recognizing her decades of leadership, innovation, and heartfelt dedication to improving the lives of people living with CF.
Daina began her CF career at The Hospital for Sick Children (SickKids), where she was immediately drawn to the role nutrition plays in patient health. “Nutrition is such an important factor in the health of our patients,” said Daina. “There was a strong team, there was research, and it just grabbed my interest from the start.”
Mentorship also shaped Daina’s early years, particularly from leaders in gastroenterology and dietetics. Today, Daina continues this tradition by chairing the Canadian CF Dietitians Group, bringing together dietitians across the country to share learnings, collaborate, and raise standards of care nationwide.
Throughout her career, Daina has faced unexpected challenges, from shortages of enzymes, vitamins, and supplements to complex medical cases that required creative, individualized solutions. But she emphasizes that the strength of the CF community makes overcoming these challenges possible. “There’s always someone you can go to for difficult questions,” said Daina. “We really have a strong, supportive community.” This sense of shared purpose continues to be one of the things she values most in her work.
Over the decades, she has witnessed transformative change in CF care from newborn screening to the introduction of CFTR modulators, which have reshaped nutrition strategies and improved outcomes for many patients. Still, she stresses the importance of individualized care, especially for those who continue to face nutritional challenges.
Daina sees the next few years bringing an even greater focus on balanced, preventive nutrition particularly as more individuals with CF transition into adulthood. “Healthy eating and activity will remain essential. These are messages we’ll always keep promoting.”
Above all, Daina expresses profound appreciation for the families and patients she has supported over the years. “It’s a real privilege to be a part of their lives. You’re never who you are alone, you are a sum of those around you.”
Cystic Fibrosis Canada proudly celebrates Daina Kalnins, whose decades of service, compassion, and leadership have left an enduring mark on CF care across Canada. Her impact is felt not only in the clinical advancements she has helped shape, but in the countless lives she has touched along the way.
