Feed Me the Facts digs deep into topics of interest for the Diversify Dietetics Community. Diversify Dietetics is a nonprofit organization dedicated to increasing diversity in the field of nutrition by empowering students and young professionals from underrepresented minority groups to join the next generation of nutrition experts.

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Feed Me the Facts

Season 3 Episode 2: Making a Difference as a RD in Nutrition Communications


          
        
        

        
          
            
          
            
                
                
                
                
                
                
                
                

            
          
        
          
        

        
          
          
            Kate Burt, PhD, RD
          
        
      
        
      

    
  


  













































  

    
  
    

      

      
        
          
        
        

        
          
            
          
            
                
                
                
                
                
                
                
                

            
          
        
          
        

        
          
          
            Shelly Debiasse, PhD, RD
          
        
      
        
      

    
  


  





  On this first episode of Season 3, we talk with two members of our DD Community: Drs. Kate Burt and Shelly Debiasse. They, along with their colleague Dr. Zubaida Qamar have launched a new project called  #InclusiveDietetics, a group on Facebook aimed to increase the awareness about the lack of diversity in the dietetics profession. In this group, they will share important information about diversity and inclusion in general and on topics relevant to facilitating a more diverse and inclusive profession. Join #Inclusive Dietetics to continue the conversation!Drs. Burt and Debiasse discuss why they are launching this project, why they took the extra steps to make the project a part of a research study and what conversations, movements and changes they hope this campaign will spark in the dietetics community.  If you have ever wondered how our profession got to where it is today (i.e.- with so little diversity), and what are ways that you can help to change it, you will want to be a part of this project!  You can join #Inclusive Dietetics to continue the conversation!


























  About Kate Burt, PhD, RDKate Gardner Burt, PhD, RD is an Assistant Professor at Lehman College, City of New York in the Bronx, NY and a Registered Dietitian and Culinary Nutritionist. She teaches courses in public health and community nutrition and cultural foods and sustainability. Dr. Burt’s research broadly aims to reduce racial and ethnic inequities in community food systems. She does this by exploring strategies to strengthen efforts to grow food locally and improve community cohesion and social connectedness to build a more just food system. She also aims to reduce inequities in food systems by increasing opportunities for low-income people of color to excel in dietetics and food-focused careers. She takes a mixed methods, community-based approach to research and currently works with several New York City based non-profit organizations. Dr. Burt received her BS in film and television from Boston University and her MS in exercise physiology and nutrition, RD and PhD in food and nutrition policy from Teachers College, Columbia University. Her first cookbook was published in 2015 by Sterling Publishers, a subsidiary of Barnes and Noble.Dr. Burt was also a guest on a DD Webinar on the topic “Past Performance and Future Results: Changing the Outlook for Diversity Among Food and Nutrition Professionals”. You can access the webinar here. About Shelly Debiasse, PhD, RDMichele “Shelly” DeBiasse, PhD, RDN (she/her/hers) is Clinical Assistant Professor and Director, Programs in Nutrition at Boston University/College of Health & Rehabilitation Sciences: Sargent College, and Affiliated Faculty in the Women’s, Gender & Sexuality Studies program in the College of Arts and Sciences, Boston University, Boston, MA, USA.  She received a PhD in Nutrition and Metabolism from the department of Graduate Medical Sciences, Boston University School of Medicine.  She received her MS in Clinical Nutrition from Rush University, and completed her dietetic internship at Rush-Presbyterian-St. Luke’s Medical Center, both in Chicago, IL, USA.  Her PhD dissertation, The Theory of Planned Behavior and Implementation Intentions to Improve Fruit and Vegetable Intake in Women with Low Socioeconomic Status, afforded her three first-author publications, and helped spark her scholarship-activism to better the lives of women and other marginalized groups.  Her current research explores issues related to equity, diversity and inclusion in healthcare professions (particularly Dietetics), as well as the role gender may play in creating the challenges often associated with female-dominate healthcare professions.  




Season 3 Episode 1: Inclusive Dietetics


          
        
        

        
          
            
          
            
                
                
                
                
                
                
                
                

            
          
        
          
        

        
      
        
      

    
  


  





  Can you tell we’re  excited about the Food and Nutrition Conference and Expo aka FNCE? As the final hours tick away the Diversify Dietetics co-founders talk about where DD will be during the 4 day conference, what their most looking forward to and notable events that you don’t want to miss. 


























  FNCE Schedule at a GlanceDiversity and Cultural Competence Track SessionsDPG & MIG Events (Including COGA, NOBIDAN, Religion MIG, LAHIDAN, AAPI & more)

Season 2 Episode 10: Let's Get Ready to FNCE


          
        
        

        
          
            
          
            
                
                
                
                
                
                
                
                

            
          
        
          
        

        
      
        
      

    
  


  





  Are you a member of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics? The Academy is the world's largest organization of food and nutrition professionals. Similar to the current demographics of the dietetics profession, the leadership within the Academy is not particularly diverse but many are paving the way for that to change. In 2015 the Academy released its first Diversity Strategic Plan along with a handful of other Diversity Initiatives. One key objective of this strategic plan is “to establish strong diversity efforts at all levels of Academy leadership”. So how do we make sure this happens? How do we ensure that diverse leaders are in the room where decisions are being made? Today we talk with Camille Range about just that.  She started working with the Academy as a Diversity Leader and is now a member of the Board of Directors and the House of Delegates, representing dietitians under the age of 30. Camille is passionate about leadership and talks to us about why its so important to have a seat at the table even when you may be the only one. She shares insights into the decision making structure within the Academy and what the Academy is working on as it relates to diversity. 


































































  

    
  
    

      

      
        
          
        
        

        
          
            
          
            
                
                
                
                
                
                
                
                

            
          
        
          
        

        
      
        
      

    
  


  





  About  CamilleCamille Range is a registered dietitian nutritionist who empowers families, communities and the next generation of healthcare providers to lead healthy lives through nutrition, health and wellness. She received a B.S. in Food Science and Human Nutrition from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign and Master’s in Public Health from the University of Texas Health Sciences Center in Houston, TX. Previously, Ms. Range served as a program manager for several obesity and public health research initiatives promoting positive health behavior changes in Hispanic and African American mothers and preteen daughters. She expanded work tackling the nation’s challenges surrounding childhood obesity working alongside the former First Lady Michelle Obama’s Let’s Move! initiative during its five-year anniversary. Ms. Range continues to inspire the next generation of change-makers to improve the health and systematic challenges faced by underserved families across the country. Ms. Range works to increase diversity in the dietetics profession to achieve this goal. Currently, she serves as a board member for the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics and House of Delegates representing dietitians under the age of 30. In Fall 2019, Ms. Range began her doctorate in Urban Leadership & Entrepreneurship at the University of the District of Columbia. Ms. Range is looking forward to bringing her experience and energy as the new Senior Manager of Nutrition Systems for Sodexo Schools - Mid-Atlantic region.  
  


























  Camille’s Instagram and LinkedInThe Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics Diversity Strategic PlanThe Organization Units with the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics

Season 2 Episode 9: Diversity and Leadership Within the Academy


          
        
        

        
          
            
          
            
                
                
                
                
                
                
                
                

            
          
        
          
        

        
      
        
      

    
  


  





  Did you first fall in love with nutrition because you were an athlete in high school or college? Or maybe while you were training for a marathon? Lots of folks make their way to dietetics because of their own experience with learning more about nutrition to support their fitness goals. Some RDstoBE and even RDs in other areas of practice are curious about specializing in this area of practice. At the same time, many college and professional sports teams now have an RDN on staff to provide sports nutrition counseling to help their athletes perform their best. But the skill set and demands on sports nutritionists have evolved greatly over the past decade or so. In this episode, Pratik Patel shares how he made his way to his current role as a professional sports team’s Director of Performance Nutrition.Pratik’s journey to becoming a Sports RD was not without its obstacles. He’s a first-generation American,  he hadn’t even heard of the nutrition major when he started college, and he didn’t match to a dietetic internship on his first try. But he overcame these challenges (and SO MANY MORE!) to get to where he is today. During this episode Pratik talks about:How he handled all the aforementioned challenges to achieve his RDThe schedule of an RD who works with a professional sports teamThe resilience needed to manage the uncertainties of working for college and professional sports teamsWhy he still uses MNT and Food Service skills in his current roleWhat are the critical qualities needed to work with pro athletes If you’re considering working in Sports Nutrition, have your notebook ready for this episode! 


























  About PratikPratik Patel, MS, RD, CSCS, CSSD is the Director of Performance Nutrition and Assistant Strength and Conditioning Coach for the New York Giants (part of the National Football League). You can learn more about him in his RDN Spotlight on our blog. You can follow Pratik on Instagram, Twitter and connect with him on LinkedIn. 


Season 2 Episode 8: Curious About Becoming a Sports RD?


          
        
        

        
          
            
          
            
                
                
                
                
                
                
                
                

            
          
        
          
        

        
      
        
      

    
  


  





  Feed Me the Facts was created not only to help navigate the dietetic educational pathway through the lens of diverse students, practitioners and educators but also to lift up stories for us by us. Yes, we are part of a larger group of people of color but each of our experiences are unique and should be shared if we want them to be. This weeks podcast guest, Starla Garcia aka @starla_shines graciously shared a bit of her story in our online RDN survey.  She told us about how being a eating disorder(ED) survivor has helped her become a better ED Dietitian to Latina patients and why more Latinx dietitians are needed in pediatrics, women’s health, and diabetes education. Today she talks more about her pathway, her career, her story and how she continues to shine.About StarlaHouston city-dweller, a Rio Grande Valley native, former University of Houston Track and Field/ XC distance runner, and Registered Dietitian/Nutritionist. After fully recovering from an eating disorder and experiencing a few injuries during her collegiate and post-collegiate running career,  she reflected on how her nutritional choices and self care could help improve not only her running but also how it made her over well being so much butter.These days you can find Starla running on her favorite trails in Houston, doing strength training at the gym, and scouring the city for new green juice spots and healthy eats. 


























  Starla’s InstagramStarla’s Beautiful WebsiteExito -Latin Cancer Research Leadership TrainingEating in the Light of the Moon: How Women Can Transform Their Relationship with Food Through Myths, Metaphors, and Storytelling

Season 2 Episode 7: Sharing Her Story and Shining On

Let’s face it, when you’re on the nutrition educational pathway it can sometimes feel like your options are RDN or bust, but we don’t just need diverse dietitians we need diverse nutrition professionals across the board. Today’s Feed Me the Facts guest is here to tell you there’s more than one way to excel in the field of nutrition even without the RD credential. Sabrina Bauggue talks about her new role as the Assistant Director of Food and Nutrition at Emory University Hospital and the process she took to become a leader in the field.

Season 2 Episode 6: Excelling without the RDN Credential


          
        
        

        
          
            
          
            
                
                
                
                
                
                
                
                

            
          
        
          
        

        
      
        
      

    
  


  





  If we had a penny for every time an RDN complained that we don’t get paid as much as other allied health disciplines… The idea that low pay is a given if you want to work in dietetics is also sometimes the reason why students of color decide to pursue other pathways besides dietetics, so it was a topic we definitely wanted to discuss!  Some people blame the lowers salaries on the fact that we are female-dominated profession, while others attribute the lower pay to less than energetic lobbying on behalf of our professional organizations. In this episode, money mindset coach and expert Christine Dyan, RDN says that that kind of thinking is self-defeating and part of the problem (and we agree!). During this episode Christine talks about: Why is it critical to change your mindset toward money FIRSTHer own personal journey to change her money mindsetWhy RDNs (on average) get paid less than our colleaguesWhy thinking the Academy is responsible for RDN salaries is flawed thinkingWhy it's important to think like a biz owner 1st, and an RDN 2ndand so much more!This episode is a MUST LISTEN for every RDN and RD2Be out there! 


























  About ChristineChristine Dyan Thomson, RDN LDN is the CEO/Owner of Christine Dyan International, a business coaching firm in suburban Chicago that supports Registered Dietitians in private practice in increasing their earning potential so they can have a greater impact in the nutrition & wellness marketplace. Christine is also the creator & host of the "Make More Money as a Dietitian" podcast, which can be found on Apple Podcasts, Stitcher, and Spotify. You can learn more about her signature coaching programs for RD's by visiting her websiteChristine’s WebsiteInstagramFacebookDownload Christine’s Money Mindset Cheatsheet﻿


Season 2 Episode 5: Change Your Mindset and Make More Money as an RDN

On this episode of Feed Me the Facts, we talk with a dynamic mentor/preceptor/leader in the field of nutrition, Jerlyn Jones. She talks with us about what it takes to be a mentor both formally and informally and how her duty to give back to the future of dietetics has positioned her to be an impactful mentor in the field. 

Season 2 Episode 4: Mentoring to Diversify Dietetics

As a military wife in a new city, a mother,a first generation college student and #rd2be, Darah Matos jumped into the Diversify Dietetics pilot mentor program feet first and made a splash! On this episode of Feed Me the Facts, Darah shares how she made the mentor program experience her own and talks about the process and perks of having a mentor.

Season 2 Episode 3: The Perks of Having a Mentor


          
        
        

        
          
            
          
            
                
                
                
                
                
                
                
                

            
          
        
          
        

        
      
        
      

    
  


  





  Matt Frakes was not exactly what you would call an ideal dietetics student. In this episode, Tamara talks to Matt about his journey to becoming an RDN. His obstacles included being a first-generation college student, low ACT scores and a poor GPA in his first semester of college. These obstacles are, unfortunately, not uncommon to many students of color. But Matt didn’t let these challenges stop him from reaching his goal of becoming an RDN. He describes the strategies that he used to overcome each of these obstacles and how that led him to where he is today- the Associate Director of Sports Nutrition for the University of Louisiana-Lafayette and PhD candidate at the University of Mississippi. Matt is also a past RDN Spotlight on our blog. If you’re feeling discouraged about setbacks in your education or career journey, this episode will give you the boost you need! 


























  About MattMatthew R. Frakes MFN, RD, CSCS, is a registered dietitian nutritionist and certified strength and conditioning specialist. Mr. Frakes completed his Master's degree at Bowling Green State University, Bowling Green, OH. He has a wide range of experience in sports nutrition, strength and conditioning, private practice, and healthcare settings. Building upon a sports nutrition and clinical nutrition background, his research interest focuses on dietary intake and recovery rate from sports-related concussions of collegiate athletes. Currently, Mr. Frakes is pursuing his Ph.D. in Nutrition and works as a Graduate Instructor and Graduate Assistant Sports Dietitian at the University of Mississippi.LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/mrfrakes89/ 
Twitter - @SuperiorFrakesInstagram - @SuperiorVetEatsDiversify Dietetics Spotlight - https://www.diversifydietetics.org/blog/2018/11/25/rdn-spotlight-matthew-frakesFirst Place Doctoral Category in 3MT Competition - https://news.olemiss.edu/applied-sciences-students-take-top-two-awards-3mt-competition/Website - http://www.superiornutritionandperformance.com/

Season 2 Episode 2: Against All Odds


          
        
        

        
          
            
          
            
                
                
                
                
                
                
                
                

            
          
        
          
        

        
          
          
            Candice Jones, MEd, RD, LD, CDE, FAND
          
        
      
        
      

    
  


  





  We’ve seen the letters DTR/NDTR but what exactly do they mean? What is the job outlook for a Dietetic Technician and how is the process similar or different from becoming an RDN? Dietetic Technicians (DTR/NDTR), as our guest Candice Jones describes, are the Watson to the RD’s Sherlock Holmes, the Robin to Batman, the C3PO to R2D2 (I think you get the point). They bring a complementary set of skills that are key to the profession, as well as to patients and clients. As the Dietetic Technology Program Chair at Cincinnati State Technical and Community College, Candice knows the ins and outs of this growing profession. Today, Candice talks with us about:What the DTR credential is and the process for becoming a Dietetic Technician.DT vs DTR vs NDTR what’s the difference?The traditional and non-traditional career paths for DTR professionals and how to grow your salary as a DTR.New research on the exciting (and slightly unknown) future of the DTR educational pathway.& we will find out, is this a good pathway for people of color? About Candice:Candice Jones is the Dietetic Technology Program Chair at Cincinnati State Technical and Community College. She oversees three programs, Dietetic Technician, an Associate of Applied Science degree, Pre-Nutrition Science an Associate of Science degree, and the Dietary Management Certificate.  Candice attended the University of Connecticut (UCONN), where she obtained a Bachelor of Science degree in Nutritional Sciences and remained at UCONN for her Dietetic Internship.  Candice moved to Cincinnati, Ohio were she attended the University of Cincinnati and received her Masters of Education in Health Promotion and Education.  While completing graduate school, she began her career in Dietetics at the Christ Hospital working as a diabetes educator.  Candice became a Certified Diabetes Educator, and in 2014, accepted an Adjunct Instructor position at Cincinnati State that essentially led to a career change and her current position as DT Program Chair. Although for the past 3 ½ year, Candice has been the Dietetic Technology Program chair at Cincinnati State, she still works PRN for the Christ Hospital Diabetes Center, to “stay current’ in the field. Professionally, she also serves as the Programming Chair of the local networking group DECA (Diabetes Educators of Cincinnati Association). She is also a member of the Ohio Academy of Dietetics and Nutrition (OAND) Diversity Task Force and newly, the Diversity Recruitment board member of the Greater Cincinnati Dietetic Association (GCDA). This past summer, Candice became a Fellow of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics (FAND). Outside of work, she enjoys, camping, cooking, playing softball and tennis, and traveling to anywhere that has an ocean view!


























  Episode ResourcesCincinnati State Technical and Community College Dietetic Technician ProgramDietary Management Certificate (CDM)Candice’s LinkedInSearch Dietetic Technician Programs through the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics

Season 2 Episode 1: Exploring the Dietetic Technician Credential


          
        
        

        
          
            
          
            
                
                
                
                
                
                
                
                

            
          
        
          
        

        
      
        
      

    
  


  





  There are so many interesting career paths you can take in the world of nutrition and dietetics. This journey typically begins with finding an interest and that interest can turn into a passion.  But, what happens when you have multiple passions? Is it possible to pursue all of them and maintain sanity as well as joy in your every day work? On this episode, we talk with Alice Figueroa, a registered dietitian who is pursuing her passions in malnutrition research, global health advocacy, diabetes prevention, culinary arts, and yoga. Alice talked with us about:How she developed her passions through experiences in the States and in Guatemala How exploring her interest and taking a chance on herself led her to become a  James Beard Foundation National Scholar and Natural Foods Chef. How to balance the pursuit of multiple passions with everyday life  &How to continually cultivate skills and grow professionallyAbout Alice:Alice Figueroa is a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist who is passionate about promoting universal access to nutrition support, health services, and wholesome foods for all segments of society regardless of race, ethnicity, gender, or socioeconomic status. She is a James Beard Foundation National Scholar Award Recipient and a Natural Foods Chef. She is dedicated to empowering the global community to achieve optimum well-being through food security, mindful living, health supportive cooking, and happy eating.  Alice is the Duke Center for International Development Malnutrition Research Fellow and is conducting research to address chronic malnutrition and stunting in Central America. Her research focuses on identifying gaps in nutrition services in Central America and providing health support for underserved indigenous populations in Guatemala. Through her research, she hopes to build partnerships with diverse political, community, and economic stakeholders in Central America to coalesce a food systems approach to address food insecurity and malnutrition. She is committed to supporting sustainable and culturally-appropriate nutrition interventions that empower underserved communities.  Alice earned a Master of Public Health from New York University, where she also completed her Dietetic and Nutrition credentials. She holds an honors degree in International Relations with a focus on healthcare policy from Tulane University and is a CDC National Diabetes Prevention Program Certified Lifestyle Coach and Yoga Teacher. She also founded Alice in Foodieland, a website where the community can explore science-based nutrition articles and delicious, health supportive recipes. 


























  Episode ResourcesAlice In Foodieland WebsiteAlice’s InstagramAlice’s TwitterJames Beard Foundation ScholarshipsAcademy of Nutrition and Dietetics Foundation ScholarshipsCoursera Online Professional Development PlatformEdX - “Online Courses from the world’s best universities”

Season 1 Episode 8: "SNACKS" Episode- Pursuing Multiple Passions


          
        
        

        
          
            
          
            
                
                
                
                
                
                
                
                

            
          
        
          
        

        
      
        
      

    
  


  





  What does it take to transition from another career, become an RDN and then take the leap to building your own private practice? On this SNACKS episode we chat with Basheerah Enahora, owner of BE Nutrition, a private practice based in Charlotte, North Carolina. Basheerah describes how she transitioned from a successful decade long career in the food marketing industry,  juggled a full-time job and attended graduate school to achieve her dream of becoming an RDN. She describes how she managed her schedule as she built her private practice on the side while working full-time as an outpatient dietitian. Basheerah shares her insight on how to find clients, discusses marketing strategies that are necessary for a new private practice, explains the technology needed to set up a HIPPA-compliant practice, and more. Be sure to listen all the way to the end of the episode, where Basheerah reveals what about qualities and skills are a MUST HAVE to be a successful nutrition entrepreneur in private practice!  About Basheerah: Basheerah Enahora, RDN, LDN, MS, MBA is a nationally recognized registered dietitian nutritionist, certified mindfulness meditation teacher and owner of BE Nutrition LLC. Basheerah started BE Nutrition after realizing what a huge impact our thoughts have on our eating habits. True nourishment occurs when we ditch dieting and self-imposed food rules and learn to cultivate a healthy relationship with food and our bodies. Through her one-on-one and group work with clients, writing and speaking, Basheerah helps people who are frustrated with dieting rediscover the joy of eating! She also works with those suffering with digestive issues, like irritable bowel syndrome and irritable bowel disease.  After working over a decade in food marketing and manufacturing industry, Basheerah left a successful corporate career to obtain a Masters of Science in Nutrition from the University of Illinois at Chicago, and to become a Registered Dietitian. She has worked clinically in Illinois, North Carolina and South Carolina, providing patients with medical nutrition therapy and diabetes management. As a health professional, she only provides guidance and information that is scientifically validated to improve health. Basheerah also holds an MBA from Duke University and a BS in Mechanical Engineering from North Carolina A&T; State University.  A few fun facts about Basheerah, she's an amateur chef, food blogger, serious foodie, chocolate lover, wanderlust traveler, runner and wine enthusiast. You can typically find her running to and from the kitchen.


























  Episode ResourcesBE Nutrition Website BE Nutrition Instagram BE Nutrition Facebook Nutrition Entrepreneurs Dietetic Practice Group Information an on NPI (National Provider Identification) Number

Season 1 Episode 7: "SNACKS" Episode- Building A Successful Private Practice"


          
        
        

        
          
            
          
            
                
                
                
                
                
                
                
                

            
          
        
          
        

        
          
          
            Dr. Francoise Knox Kazimierczuk PhD, RDN, CSSD, LD, ATC, CSCS, NSCA-CPT, FAND
          
        
      
        
      

    
  


  





  Second career and Non-Traditional Students enter the field with a unique set of skills and experiences that set them apart from their colleagues. On the other hand, it can be challenging to deal with the rigor of the educational pathway on top of being the first in your family to go to college or having a family of your own, or being a decade older than all the students around you.  As a second career or non-traditional student you have a different perspective. To hear more about that perspective we talked with Dr. Francoise Knox-Kazimierczuk. As a  second career dietitian as well as an Assistant Professor at the University of Cincinnati she knows all about the winding road of the dietetic pathway. She gave us some great insights on: Her personal path from athletic trainer to chemist to dietitian to researcherHer definition of a non-traditional studentThe historical structures that systematically put certain individuals at a disadvantage in education  The pros of being a second career or non-traditional student and how to use your experiences to your advantage!  If you want to connect with Dr. Knox or find out more about the University of Cincinnati’s nutrition programs click on the links below!


























  Episode ResourcesDr. Knox’s LinkedIn Dr. Knox’s University Email University of Cincinnati Student Dietetic Association Facebook Page University of Cincinnati Undergraduate Nutrition Program University of Cincinnati Coordinated Undergraduate Nutrition Program University of Cincinnati Masters Nutrition  Program

Season 1 Episode 6: Non-Traditional and Second Career Students with Dr. Francoise Knox-Kazimierczuk


          
        
        

        
          
            
          
            
                
                
                
                
                
                
                
                

            
          
        
          
        

        
          
          
            Kathleen Carozza, MA, RDN
          
        
      
        
      

    
  


  





  DICAS… the sound of that acronym can cause so much anxiety for dietetics students!  We feel you, and know where you’re coming from. But the whole reason the DD Community exists is to help you get through, over or around anxiety in the whole RDN experience. We believe the more knowledge, prep and inside info that you have about the DICAS application, the less anxiety-ridden the whole process has to be.  So on this episode of FMTF, we went straight to the source to get details on how DICAS applicants can get organized and make the best impression on their applications! Our guest on this episode is Kathleen Carozza. Kathleen the Dietetic Internship Program Director at the College of Saint Elizabeth in Morristown, New Jersey. She’s been an RDN for over 30 years. Under her tenure, the DI program at the College of Saint Elizabeth has doubled its capacity and become a combined masters/internship program. We didn’t just talk about the dietetic internship application, but we talked to Kathleen about some of the little (and not so little) things that can reduce a student’s chances of being accepted to a DI. Is is a red flag if your program director DOESN’T write one of your letters of recommendations? What are common mistakes that students make on their resumes? What resources on your campus are you paying for that can help improve your application? What if you don’t have any volunteer hours in nutrition? What if you’ve left school for several years to work, and are now just applying to your DI? We cover all of these topics and so much more in this episode. Have your pen and paper out so you can take notes!  Also, be sure to check out the resources below and on our Student and Intern Resources page. We hope this episode helps to answer some of those questions that you may have been worried about, and even some that you may not have thought of, related to the DICAS process, and help reduce your stress level just a little bit! 


























  Episode Resources
Katheleen Carozza LinkedIn Profile Kathleen Carozza Email College of Saint Elizabeth Dietetic Internship Program College of Saint Elizabeth DI Open House Youtube  Find Accredited Online DPD courses on Eatright.org website

Season 1 Episode 5: All About DICAS with Kathleen Carozza


          
        
        

        
          
            
          
            
                
                
                
                
                
                
                
                

            
          
        
          
        

        
      
        
      

    
  


  





  On this episode, we talk with Trinique Stallings RDN. Trinique is a registered dietitian living and working in Philedelphia. She attended La Salle University and graduated two years ago from their Coordinated Program. Following the program she encountered obstacles in getting her first job, causing her to question her place in the field. Trinique talks to us about life after the dietetic internship, how she overcame questions around belonging and what she learned about shifting careers in the field of dietetics. Today, Trinique works in a long term care facility and a drug rehabilitation center. She hopes to pivot into a career focused on maternal health and is currently studying to become an Internationally Board Certified Lactation Consultant through Drexel University’s Human Lactation Consultant Program.  


























  Episode ResourcesTrinique on Instagram  Learn More in Trinique’s RDN Spotlight

Season 1 Episode 4: Do I Belong in This Field with Trinique Stallings


          
        
        

        
          
            
          
            
                
                
                
                
                
                
                
                

            
          
        
          
        

        
      
        
      

    
  


  





  We are excited to announce our first SNACKS episodes! These episodes are designed for professionals of color in nutrition and dietetics, and will cover topics of special interest to those of you who are practicing in all areas of nutrition and dietetics. In this episode we talk with Kim Rose, RDN, LD, CDE about starting that side hustle! Side hustles are a great way to expand your skills and earn some extra income outside of your day job. Kim explains how she got the idea for her side hustle, how she balances her time, and the skills needed to run a successful side hustle.  Kim is an inpatient clinical dietitian in an acute care hospital in south central Florida. She has also experience as an outpatient dietitian, renal dietitian, and a long-term care consulting dietitian. As a Registered Dietitian and Certified Diabetes Educator, Kim provides nutrition consultations and educational resources to hundreds of clients, students, and interns. Kim also has an active YouTube channel where she shares videos about life as a registered dietitian; solutions to common dietitian, intern, RD-to-be, student problems, and health talks.  With over 7 years’ experience, Kim is passionate and dedicated to all of her clients and students. She desires to "make nutrition easy" by equipping clients, students, interns, and new dietitians with the skills and knowledge they need to manage their health, course work, and patient load, respectively. 


























  Episode ResourcesKim Rose on Instagram Kim Rose Dietitian Website Kim Rose Dietitian YouTube Channel “Emotional Intelligence” by Daniel Coleman “Making Nutrition Your Business” by Ann Silver and Lisa Stolman

Season 1 Episode 3: "SNACKS" Episode- Starting with a Side Hustle with Kim Rose

Have you ever been told, “you speak so well!” or asked, “but, where are you really from?” In this episode Deanna Belleny Lewis and Tamara Melton, the co-founders of Diversify Dietetics talk about microaggressions. What are they, how do we deal with them, and how do they impact the future of dietetics? Tamara and Deanna reflect on personal experiences both in the classroom and in their careers, then discuss the resources and research available for the Diversify Dietetics community.


































































  

    
  
    

      

      
        
          
        
        

        
          
            
          
            
                
                
                
                
                
                
                
                

            
          
        
          
        

        
      
        
      

    
  


  





  Tamara Melton, Executive Director and Co-Founder of Diversify DieteticsTamara Melton is the Executive Director and co-founder of Diversify Dietetics. She is a registered and licensed dietitian nutritionist with expertise in health informatics, and an educator at Georgia State University.


































































  

    
  
    

      

      
        
          
        
        

        
          
            
          
            
                
                
                
                
                
                
                
                

            
          
        
          
        

        
      
        
      

    
  


  





  Deanna Belleny Lewis, Co-Founder of Diversify DieteticsDeanna Belleny Lewis is a registered and licensed dietitian nutritionist. She works as a public health practitioner, with expertise in program planning, implementation and healthcare quality improvement. Alongside Tamara, Deanna co-founded Diversify Dietetics in April 2018. 


























  Episode ResourcesThe Shift to Structural Competency in Medical EducationCultural Humility vs. Cultural CompetenceRacial Microaggressions in American Indian Health CareVIDEO: How Unintentional but Insidious Bias Can Be The Most Harmful Deanna and Tamara’s Instagram Pages

 



Season 1 Episode 2: Dealing with Microaggressions in Dietetics

In our FIRST podcast episode we talk about what students should do before, during and after a dietetic internship open house (or any academic open house) to figure out if the program is a good fit and to make a good impression on the program director and other faculty. We talk about some things that students do (or don’t do) that can affect their chances of getting accepted to a programs- things that have nothing to do with your GPA or personal statement. 


































































  

    
  
    

      

      
        
          
        
        

        
          
            
          
            
                
                
                
                
                
                
                
                

            
          
        
          
        

        
      
        
      

    
  


  





  Episode Guest: Hannah Thornton, MS, RDNHannah is currently a Clinical Assistant Professor in the Nutrition and Foods Program of the School of Family and Consumer Sciences at Texas State University. She completed a Bachelor of Arts in Biology at Smith College in Northampton, MA, a Master of Science in Biology at Florida International University in Miami, FL, and a Master of Science in Nutrition as well as the Dietetic Internship at Texas State. Her research has included an exploration of nutrient intakes in WIC-enrolled children and food security on college campuses. Her teaching includes introductory nutrition courses, Nutrition Assessment, Biochemical Nutrition, and Nutrition and Genetics. In the classroom, she emphasizes multiculturalism and active learning. In 2016, she received a Presidential Distinction Award for Excellence in Teaching, and was named runner up for Texas State’s Award for Excellence in Online Teaching. In addition to her work at Texas State, she maintains a private dietetics practice specializing in pregnancy and pediatric nutrition.   Hannah is also part of the Diversify Dietetics community as a contributor of our Educators Workshops. 


























  Episode ResourcesHannah Thornton’s InstagramTexas State University Dietetic Internship InstagramGuidelines on Business Casual Dress AttireApril 2019 Match Dietetic Internship Open House Schedule 

 

