This dietetic internship is providing me with foundational skills in clinical, community, and foodservice dietetics practice. My rotation sites include hospitals, long term care facilities, dialysis centers, public schools, eating disorder treatment centers, and more across Northern Virginia, Washington D.C., and Maryland. This program also contains a leadership and professional development emphasis which supports self directed research, projects, and leadership positions. After this nine month program is complete, I will be eligible to sit for the RD certification exam and enter the field of dietetics as an entry level dietitian.

As the VT student liaison, I maintain regular communication with the SVAND board and attend all scheduled meetings and events. Other responsibilities include: Assisting with organization efforts for district meetings and eventsCoordinating with the Student Nutrition and Dietetics Association for SVAND events, initiatives, and volunteer opportunities.Providing student updates to the SVAND Newsletter Editor Nominating 1-2 students per year for the VAND student spotlights

I instruct Pilates, Yoga, and Barre classes for Virginia Tech students, faculty, and the women's tennis team. As a group exercise instructor, I am expected to offer a safe and productive environment for participants to learn the skills for the exercise format with and without equipment.

As a student intern in the Nutrition and Food Services Department of the Salem VA Medical Center, I have completed and assisted with various tasks (see below) as well as spent numerous hours observing Dietitians work in clinical and outpatient settings. Examples of tasks and experiences include: - Surveyed patients to get satisfaction ratings, while also taking food preferences- Analyzed menus for all patients at the VA and made corrections when necessary - Assessed how patients were responding to the ERAS protocol post surgery and recorded the results- Calculated weight loss trends in the substance abuse population at the VA- Attended interdisciplinary team meetings, pharmaceutical meetings, and clinical meetings - Recorded nutrition assessments for record keeping purposes.- Created educational handouts for the residents and interns about palliative care- Provided diabetic patients with basic diabetes management education

I give swim instruction to over 100 athletes ages 4-78 on the Ashley Plantation Swim Team and oversee the instruction of three assistant coaches and two junior coaches. I also collaborate with the Ashley Plantation Swim Team Board on coaches salaries, new instruction techniques, and various clinic programs to implement during the season. As Head Coach, I coordinate with the Roanoke Valley Aquatic Association (RVAA) and other RVAA coaches to provide safe and fun swim meets throughout the season.