Kagay-anon native makes it big in New York

By Susan Palmes-Dennis

ROCKINGHAM, North Carolina—A remarkable Filipino with roots  in Tagoloan town, Misamis Oriental province in northern Mindanao, Philippines was just appointed Asst. Commissioner of the Nutritional Services Division of the New York City Department of Correction (DOC). 

Christine Melody Caylan-Linstromberg assumed her post in November this year. Linstromberg was born in Cagayan de Oro City and spent a few years at Montessori School in Corrales Street. 

A granddaughter of Celerino Dodo Casino and Segundina Neri of Sta. Ana, Tagoloan town, Misamis Oriental, Linstromberg’s mother is Eddy Casino Aranez who resides at  New York City.

Aranez told this writer that both family and friends are excited for her daughter’s appointment.  ‘We are proud that she is appointed to a most essential public safety agency here in New York,’ Aranez said.

Another acquiantance, Marygene Espinosa who’s the past president of the Cagayan de Oro-Misamis Oriental Association in New York said she’s proud of Linstromberg. 

She said Linstromberg calls her ‘tita’ (auntie) and is very helpful, offering her expertise in technology and computers during her stint as CDO-MisOr association president.

Linstromberg has one daughter named Anya.  Her new post requires her to oversee full operations of food services for both persons in custody and members of service.

It also entails managing financial and logistical systems, supervising day-to-day operations and ensuring compliance with New York State minimum food standards, health codes and regulatory requirements.

As a registered dietitian, Linstromberg carries 20 years worth of experience in food service management, clinical nutrition and healthcare operations. Her career spans leadership roles in both the US and the Philippines.

Linstromberg holds a degree in Community Nutrition from the University of the Philippines at Diliman, a master’s degree in Hospital Administration from Cebu Doctors University and a Master’s degree in Business Administration from the Southeastern Oklahoma State University. 

Linstromberg obtained an All-But-Dissertation PhD in Business Administration from the University of San Carlos in Cebu City.

Before her appointment, she served as manager of Food and Nutrition Services in Norman Oklahoma, where she led patient fining services, clinical nutrition, retail operations and key business and production functions.

Prior to that, Linstromberg was a director of Clinical Nutrition services at New York Health hospitals, directing both inpatient and outpatient nutrition programs. 

In the Philippines, Linstromberg held the role of Asst. Vice President for Medical Ancillary services at Chong Hua Hospital in Cebu City.

Her leadership highlighted continuing education, performance improvement, regulatory compliance and collaboration with clinical heads and physicians to advance service expansion and operational outcome.

To top it all, Linstromberg still speakes fluent Visayan and is proud of her Filipino heritage.  Despite being an over-achiever, Linstromberg’s Filipino roots grounds her both in work and life, a trait that most Filipino-Americans still hold true to this day.