We are happy to announce our Featured Student Member of the Month: Elizabeth Voyles Which DI are you enrolled in? I am currently enrolled in the combined Masters of Science in Nutrition and Dietetics and Dietetic Internship at Northern Illinois University. I graduate in December of 2019! What inspired you to have a career in nutrition? Although I have always been interested in health and nutrition, my first undergraduate degree was actually a Bachelor of Science in Biology. It wasn't until I got married and had my first son that I really fell in love with the field of nutrition and dietetics as I taught him about the benefits of fresh, whole foods in fun and creative ways. Realizing the importance of nutrition, and the effect it has on the health of the entire family, I went back to school for a second undergraduate degree in Human Environmental Sciences (Food and Nutrition), and then onto the combined Masters and Dietetic Internship program at NIU. Now, I finally feel as if I am pursuing a career that I am truly passionate about! Is there a nutrition-related topic you wish you knew more about? I have had a few close family members who have been diagnosed with diabetes. I feel as if many patients with diabetes may have multiple misconceptions about how best to manage their disease with lifestyle changes and nutrition, and instead, often end up feeling overwhelmed and frustrated. Diabetes care and education is an area that needs Registered Dietitians, and as a result, this is a topic that I look forward to learning more about. What is a fun fact about you? I was a Division I All-American in the 5,000m during my first undergraduate degree at The University of Alabama at Birmingham. Although I don’t run as fast anymore, I still enjoy going for a good run. I home-brew my own Kombucha. I have my SCOBY in a big glass jar wrapped in blankets in our furnace closet! I love experimenting with different flavoring ideas and combinations. What is your best advice for young dietitians trying to balance demands of life as a dietitian, as well as demands from family or personal life? Although I am not yet a dietitian, I can relate to this question, because it is not always easy to balance being a full-time student, mother, and wife, while still remembering to take care of me. Surprisingly, I actually feel as if being a mother has made me a better student. I am more self-disciplined and better at managing my time now, than I was before I had children. Planning family meals a week in advance, setting aside specific times each day when studying or exercising works best for me and my family, and not getting upset when all of that goes haywire in the end are key to ensuring my success at juggling multiple roles! What is your favorite memory from your career thus far? During my undergraduate degree, I got to volunteer my time at Kitchfix Foods in the city for a directed professional studies course. Kitchfix creates and delivers fresh, whole foods to busy people. Their food is delicious, and the people that work there are extremely kind and generous. Name on thing an RDN can do to benefit the dietetics profession in general? RDN’s can benefit the profession of dietetics, as well as the individuals, families, and groups we serve, by advocating for topics and issues that we are passionate about. Public policy affects the health and lives of our patients and clients, but it also affects our jobs! Letting our voices be heard greatly benefits the profession of dietetics. What is your favorite food? Apples! It may seem like such a cliché response for a health conscious person, but there are so many different varieties and flavors that I never get bored with them! I usually eat two per day! 🍏🍎🍏 If you could have one super-power, what would it be? At this point in my life, the ability to get by with no sleep!
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Tracy Williams, Social Media Committee Works at: Mainstay/My25- contractor for menu analysis Hobbies: public speaking, freelance writing, diversity advocacy, reading nonfiction, jigsaw puzzles Did you always know you wanted to be a dietitian? I always wanted to be involved in health and wellness advocate for peers with disabilities. I started to get involved in typical nutrition education when I assisted my mom when I was young making her PowerPoint presentations for her hypertension classes at Cook County Hospital when she was a nurse practitioner in the ambulatory clinic. What is your best advice for younger dietitians on how to network with experienced dietitians? Although I am not yet a dietitian, I would say from my experience as a student that getting involved in your local dietetic group, like NSAND, is the best way to network with experienced dietitians. If you are interested in a specialty area of dietetics, you can build your network by visiting the websites of previliant dietitians in the field and pick their brain about your next ideas for your career directions. Most dietitians like to mentor the next generation of dietitians and nutrition professionals. What's a fun fact about you or your family? There is a fun fact about my family is that I have an aunt and uncle who are professional musicians with an aunt as a violinist in the Italian symphony orchestra. Her husband is a base player in the Italian orchestra pit for opera. A fun fact about me is that I stopped growing when I was twelve years old due to all of orthopedic surgeries during my young childhood. Name one thing an RDN could do to benefit the dietetics profession in general. I think dietitians can do a lot to benefit the profession by staying educated and up to date with research and trends because things are always changing! It would be great if dietitians would be involved with learning about the latest research that impacts the future of other health professions, like physical therapy, occupational therapy, psychology, nursing, doctors or social worker. What is your favorite food? I LOVE pizza. You can choose from a variety of toppings. I also like pasta salads as well because you choose from salad dressings and tomato sauce as well as beans, vegetables or sausages or other meat sources. Which area of dietetics do you like or have considered switching into that is different from your area of practice? I am considering to write a healthy lifestyle book for people living with physical disabilities or chronic conditions. I want to share my professional expertise as well as sharing my personal journey with other young adults who are trying to figure out how they can be healthy, whole person no matter if they have a disability or not. Where did you complete your internship (or which DI are you enrolled in - or is your first pick if not an RD or dietetics intern yet)? I have not completed a dietetic internship due to some health concerns related to my daily stamina. I am involved in the profession by doing public speaking on general nutrition topics, as well as freelance writing for a variety of websites and professional blogs for other dietitians. Seven months ago, I joined a healthy lifestyle nonprofit that support people with intellectual disabilities who live in group home settings. Our company, Mainstay/My25 provides menu analysis, recipes, and inexpensive grocery lists. You can connect with me at www.tracysplate.com. Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/tracy.williams.332 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tracy-williams-75655845/ Personal Website: www.tracysplate.com Rita Faycurry, RD, LDN NSAND board member position – membership Works at: FAYnutrition, LLC Hobbies: playing tennis, gardening, and nutrition What do you do in the field of dietetics? I am owner my own corporation called FAYnutrition LLC. I see patients with various reasons such as diabetes, weight loss, eating disorders, and vegetarian diet education. Did you always know you wanted to be a dietitian? Yes, I was 15yrs. I knew I wanted to be a dietitian when I met a dietitian who came by my grandfather’s bedside at the hospital where he was admitted for high blood pressure and CKD stage 5. I was fascinated by her knowledge and advice for my grandfather. My whole family adopted a (low sodium) healthier lifestyle as to prevent this disease from happening to us. Where did you complete your internship? Dominican University Is there a nutrition related topic you wish you knew more about? I love every nutrition related topic and feel that there is always something new to learn and read about. That’s the way this profession is and that’s what I love about it! Are you a member of any Dietetics Practice Group (DPG) or member interest group (MIG)? I am a member of the Weight Management Practice Group and the Diabetes Care and Education Dietetics Practice Group Name one thing an RDN could do to benefit the dietetics profession in general. Become a preceptor We loved that Rita feels this way about the dietetics profession! It is certainly important that more RD’s become preceptors.What a timely suggestion for this #PreceptorMonth #BecomeaPreceptor Contact Info: [email protected] Website: www.Faynutriton.com Instagram: @faynutrition |