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Nutrition Related Volunteer Experience

I have volunteered at the Fulton Family YMCA since January of 2013 as a nutrition educator. I was asked to develop fun and interesting things related to nutrition that would be free for their members. I developed a Nutrition for Healthy Living curriculum that covers important nutrition topics. The class runs for eight weeks, for the first eight weeks I held the class twice a week, and continued to hold the class once per week. After conducting focus groups with members, we found that many members wanted more on nutrition in the form of one on one support, and nutrition information for their children. I am working with the program director to incorporate more programs related to what the community wants.

In October of 2012, I volunteered with the Downtown Syracuse YMCA. I was a Nutrition Educator and taught the nutrition part of the Biggest Winner Contest. It was a 12 weeks program, and the nutrition session was given everyday for the first two weeks and again for two weeks in the middle of the 12 week program. Each session was 1-2 hours, and I taught three sessions each week. This experience gave me the opportunity to work with adults of different cultures than my own. I helped motivate them to continue with the challenge. I was able to use motivational interviewing techniques with the participants to encourage them to find alternatives to substitute for some of the foods that they were so used to eating. We also worked on portion control, reading food labels, and dietary recommendations for weight management.

In July of 2012 I had the opportunity to volunteer at Lions Camp Hickory in Baldwinsville, NY. The camp was for children with Type 1 Diabetes. Some had recently been diagnosed and others had already been living with the diagnosis for years. The camp gave the children the opportunity to be just like every other kid for a week, and they were able to share their stories with one another. At the camp I was a nutrition camp counselor, I had two campers that I was assigned to. Myself and fellow grad students created games for the children to play that were related to nutrition. Some of the games that we did were a scavenger hunt, trivia games, and crafts. They were all developed to teach the children about counting carbohydrates, the content of carbohydrates in common food items,and building a healthy plate. The activities were fun and very interactive. 

Other Volunteer Experiences include Cooking for Seniors at the Alibrandi Catholic Center, the CNY FoodBank Cookshop Program and presenting MyPlate recommendations to students at the SU dining halls.

Work Experience

Saint Joseph's Hospital Health Center, Syracuse, NY

November 2011-July 2013

Supplemental Nutrition Program from Women, Infants, and Children, Syracuse, NY

June 2013-August 2013

I worked at Saint Joseph's Hospital in Nutritional Services from November of 2011 to July 2013. Saint Joe's switched from the traditional hospital tray line service to room service. It was a great experience for me to be able to see all that goes into a switch like this, since it will become the way most hospital food services will run in the future.  When working in the call center, I had to take the patients order, while paying attention to any and all restrictions that the patient may be on. Many patients were new to their diet and I made it my priority to reccomend entrees that were appealing and within their limitations. While working on the line, there were three different positions, but as a checker, I had to check the tray over carefully and make sure that everything was there and that nothing got on the tray that was not supposed to be there. I also delivered trays to the patients. When delivering room service trays, I had to check the identity of the patients and help them get set up to eat their meal. Being in the hospital is not always a pleasant experience, but when they have the choice to pick what they want to eat, we made their day just a little better.

I worked at WIC in Onondaga County in the summer of 2013. I was fortunate enough to be offered a position as a Nutrition Assistant. At WIC I counseled families on nutrition topics that were important to them. I also took anthropometic measurements of pregnant and postpartum women and children from infancy to 5 years old. I assessed thier growth on the appropriate growth charts and went over the information with participants. I frequently made referrals to many community agencies and Doctor's office when necessary.

Professional Figure Skating Coach , Fulton Figure Skating Club, Fulton, NY 

October 2006-present

 

Director of Learn to Skate Program, Fulton Figure Skating Club, Fulton, NY 
October 2014-present

I have been a competitive figure skater since I was 6 years old and have been a professional figure skating coach for the past twelve years. I became the Director of the Learn to Skate Program in October of 2014. I really enjoy coaching and getting to see my students improve over the years. Their success is important to me. As a Director, I am responsible for the following:

  • Organize group classes considering appropriate age, level and coach compatibility.

  • Conduct parent meetings and attend board meetings as requested.

  • Address any and all parent complaints in a timely and appropriate manner.

  • Advertise for registration, competitions, fund raising and show participation.

  • Complete skater safety and incident reports.

Other work experience includes being a waitress at Mama Gina's Restaurant, a family owned italian restaurant and a Substitute Teaching Assistant for Oswego County BOCES. I subbed at schools throughout the county in classrooms with children with special needs. During the summers off from undergrad I worked fulltime at BOCES. 

Clinical Registered Dietitian, Sodexo, Syracuse, NY

Since April 2014

Working for Sodexo as a Clinical Registered Dietitan, I have had the opportunity to contribute to: 

  • Employee wellness programs, employee wellness board and National Nutrition Month promotion

  • Worked with IT and nursing administration to improve the CPOE diet template

  • Helped complete a diet audit and presented results aat a QA meeting

  • Took part in a national hydration study

  • Work with nursing, residents and dining staff to reduce supplement cost when possible

  • Worked with 3rd floor nursing staff and kitchen staff while renevations were completed on the 3rd floor lounge to ensure all residents had unintrupted satisifaction with the meal service

  • Participated in virtual clinical on-boarding webinars - scored a 10/10 on final case study

  • Attended Sodexo Get Live, Tap into a Community with EEO/AA and Spirit of Inclusion trainings

  • Work as a preceptor for SU dietetic interns

Clinical Registered Dietitian, James Square Health and Rehab, Syracuse, NY

Since September 2014

Registered Dietitian/Nutritionist, Liberty Resources, Syracuse, NY

Since July 2015

As a Clinical Registered Dietitian at James Square, I work part-time (15 hours / week). Here I have a 20 bed rehab unit caseload and 30 long term care beds. I work with the diet techs on my unit and assign tasks to them as needed. I have also helped complete diet, weight and intake audits related to their plan of correction.

As a Dietitian at Libery Post, I provide MNT, nutrition education and counseling to clients, children and caregivers in their homes. The focus is on children ages, birth to 5 years old.

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