The purpose of the Outstanding Dietetics Student Award program is to recognize the emerging leadership and achievement of students in ACEND-accredited and approved dietetics education programs and encourage their participation in the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics.
The University of Idaho selected three students from the Coordinated Program (CPD): one junior, one senior from CPD-North and one senior from CPD-South for this program. Nominations were determined by the University of Idaho Dietetic faculty, which included Hydee Becker, Dr. Katie Brown, Dr. Katie Miner, Dr. Samantha Ramsay, and Dr. SeAnne Safaii-Waite.
All students were recognized at the Annual Meeting, April 20th – 21st, 2017. The Idaho Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics awards each ODSA a one-year membership in the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics.
Criteria
- Member of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. Students must be members by January 1st of the year in which they would receive the award. Student enrolled in ACEND-accredited dietetics education program (CP, DI, DPD, DT).
- Demonstrated academic achievement as documented by letters from program faculty or preceptor.
- Demonstrated leadership and professional potential; e.g., honors, student dietetic association activities, community service activities, etc.
Senior CPD Student – South
Wesley Bauer
How did you become interested in nutrition?
I have a son with type 1 diabetes, so nutrition has played a large part in our lives for the last ten years. I would like to be a certified diabetes educator.
What has been your favorite experience from your dietetic program and/or internship so far?
The clinical experience I have gained from the Southwest Idaho Advanced Care Hospital is priceless.
Once you become a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist, what kind of work would you like to do?
I definitely want to focus on clinical practice or research that contributes to clinical knowledge. I have a special interest with diabetes and I would like to educate and counsel people on effective strategies in diabetes management.
What words of wisdom would you share with students who are interested in pursuing Dietetics?
I would say it is a growing field with a lot of opportunity. This program has exceeded my expectations while preparing myself for a career in nutrition. My advice is to pursue nutrition knowledge with an open mind and learn about all the different nutrition philosophies so that you can use your science education to make sound recommendations.
Senior CPD Student – North
Annette Anderson
Junior CPD Student
Patrick Anderson
How did you become interested in nutrition?
I became interested in nutrition indirectly through a passion for physical activity. I found that eating right made a huge difference in not only my performance, but how I felt amid giving my best effort. This, you could say, was the seedling of my curiosity in nutrition.
What has been your favorite experience from your dietetic program and/or internship so far?
It is difficult for me to name any single experience as my favorite. What I can say, is that I have become deeply enthused by the complexity of human metabolism. Advanced Nutrition was my favorite class because it gave me the opportunity to think critically about the digestion, absorption, transport, and use of each nutrient, as well as the interplay of vitamins and minerals.
Once you become a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist, what kind of work would you like to do?
As I am only a junior and still have much to learn, I am trying to keep my eyes open to all things that spur my interest. I would love to help athletes enhance their performance through means of nutrition, but I would also love to keep learning about other fields in nutrition. In the end, I am seeking work where I will study and troubleshoot my way to answers. I am currently working on a potential research project regarding nutrition for tactical athletes, which I hope will develop into methods of increasing occupational safety by altering dietary intakes.
What words of wisdom would you share with students who are interested in pursuing Dietetics?
If you’ve read food labels since you were a child, looked up ingredients to find out what they are, and experimented (n = 1) how alterations in your diet affect your performance in any area of life, you need this experience. Dietetics is no easy path, but nothing worth achieving ever is.
Idaho Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics Blog 