CLINICALÂ NUTRITION
WOMEN, INFANTS AND CHILDREN (WIC)
For three weeks, I rotated with WIC employees with Dale, Houston and Geneva Counties’ Department of Health. Regardless of the site, my preceptors were welcoming, open and happy to have a student. I shadowed WIC appointments of individuals from many different walks of life. Individuals in receiving WIC benefits are individual with no income or low-income compared to family size. I was able to conduct my own appointments which included heights and weights (anthropometrics), iron checks (biochemical), home environment scans, reviewed food packages and benefit issuance.
I completed a nutrition education project using a bulletin board within facility. The board was to promote National Nutrition Month (March). The message of the board was to eat more fruits and vegetables. The board features SNAP-Ed approved recipes including creative ways to eat more fruits and vegetables. Handouts and recipe cards were hung on the board for WIC participants to take home and try.
Medical Nutrition Therapy 1 at Fair Haven
I spent 5 weeks at Fair Haven Nursing Home and Rehabilitation Center. I met so many people and heard wonderful stories of where they grew up, the places they have seen, and the lessons they learned along the way. On the technical side of things, I learned their charting system and worked within their interdisciplinary care teams for the residents.
The MNT 1 rotation at Fair Haven has taught and re-taught me so much. I have been in community for 3 years. So, starting the rotation, I was a fish out a water. My preceptors, Savannah and Maggie, were so nice and sweet. Getting back in the groove of clinical hasn’t been challenging thanks to my preceptors.
Medical Nutrition Therapy II at East Alabama Medical Center
My Medical Nutrition Therapy II rotation was completed at East Alabama Medical Center in Opelika, AL. Through Mrs. Lynn Eden and the team on dietitians, work in all areas of the hospital. I spent 5 weeks rotating within the hospital.
By the end of my time at EAMC, I visited with and charted on patients in the hospital's Intensive Care Unit, Cardiovascular Intensive Care Unit, Skilled Nursing and all other hospital floors. With community nutrition in my heart, I thoroughly enjoyed conducting the nutrition education classes for the Cardiac Rehab. EAMC’s Cardiac Rehabilitation is designed for recent cardiac surgery patients to exercise in a safe environment with nurses, exercise physiologists and dietitians. The program is 8 weeks with 3 sessions per week. During the sessions, patients are educated on nutrition, sex and heart health. Some topics I covered during my sessions including fiber and healthy snacking.
AU HEALTH PROMOTION AND WELLNESS SERVICES
I spent three weeks within the office of AU Health Promotion and Wellness Services (HPWS). I learned so much during my time with HPWS. The office serves AU students regarding their nutrition concerns (especially eating disorders), alcohol and substance abuse, sexual trauma, and self-care. Abbigail Hickey (Abby) and Anthony Agin-Birikorang (Tony) lead the nutrition team. They are dynamic dietitians who cares for the clients and interns.
I learned so much about eating disorders. Nutrition courses discuss the eating disorder. However, textbook is minimal compared to real-life experience. I had the pleasure of meeting a few of the eating disorder clients. They willingly shared their stories and struggles with me. Textbooks discuss the body and nutritional implications. The book doesn’t cover the emotional healing needed to recover. Clinically, individuals with eating disorders may need weight restoration, nourishment (due to nutrition deficiencies), support, and guidance on their feelings about food. In real-life, these individuals are hurting inside (physically and emotionally). One client had PCOS, considered overweight, and was sexually abused. She was restricting her meals and exercising excessively. She was suffering from anorexia. Doctors (MDs) dismissed her feelings due to her weight, regardless of her PCOS and anorexic behaviors. She wasn’t their cookie-cutter definition for anorexia. She cried as she told me her story. Dealing with PCOS myself, my heart went out to her. She is a pre-med student and will be a wonderful doctor someday. Experiences like these will stick with me.
I also learned about the “Health at Every Size” philosophy. I had never heard about the concept until my rotation here. Dealing with PCOS, my weight has always been a problem regardless of my healthy behaviors. This philosophy has inspired me encourage others how weight doesn’t define you. A healthy lifestyle full of laughter and love is what00 counts, not calorie counts.
I have so many take away points from this rotation thanks to my preceptors, Abby and Tony. I truly appreciate them.