Volunteering, Leadership, and Involvement
Hays Medical Center
INTERNATIONAL DYSPHAGIA DIET STANDARDISATION INITIATIVE (IDDSI) EDUCATION
Hays, KS
As a clinical dietitian at Hays Medical Center, I attended nursing competency fairs at Hays Medical Center and Pawnee Valley Community Hospital to provide IDDSI diet education for the upcoming transition to a new dysphagia diet classification system at the facilities. As part of this experience, I created an educational poster and informational handouts, displayed dysphagia diet food and liquid samples, and provided IDDSI education to nursing staff in attendance. Additionally, I created a PowerPoint presentation to be used to educate providers on the upcoming EMR changes for ordering diets. This work sample can be found below. (Note: the patient in the presentation is not a real patient.)
Illinois State University
LEADERSHIP PROJECT: COMMUNITY GARDEN
Normal, IL
I planted, maintained, and harvested edible plants in the Illinois State University (ISU)garden plots with a fellow intern. Our garden contained tomatoes, spinach, pumpkins, brussels sprouts, bush beans, green onions, and more. Harvests were donated to a local homeless shelter.
RESEARCH FORUM PRESENTATION
Normal, IL
As required by the FCS 402 dietetic intern seminar class, I presented a brief synopsis of my graduate thesis results at a research forum at Illinois State University (ISU). The aim of my study was to identify the prevalence and correlates of food insecurity among midwestern university students living off campus to determine if there was a need for an intervention. My study found that 41% of the participants were food insecure, indicating that an intervention was indeed warranted. This research provided me the opportunity to take part in the creation of Illinois State University's food pantry in an effort to combat student food insecurity.
DIABETES CAMP
Monticello, IL
My dietetic internship provided interns the opportunity to volunteer at a diabetes camp. The camp was held at Camp Granada (at 4-H Memorial Campground) and was sponsored by the American Diabetes Association. At this week-long camp for children with type I diabetes, I planned meals with the cabin’s campers one-on-one, recorded intake, measured glucose levels, and coordinated with other staff to determine insulin and carbohydrate recommendations for children ages 10-11. The other dietetic interns and I also helped prepare and provide meals and snacks for campers on a daily basis. An especially educational experience for me was learning how to inject insulin with a syringe and how to place insulin pumps. I practiced on myself using a saline solution instead of insulin and got to do a pump site placement on myself as well. This was all under the supervision and instruction of the camp's dietitian who was a certified diabetes educator (CDE).
Western Illinois University (WIU)
WIU HOTLINE
Macomb, IL
Volunteers for this hotline were trained in paraprofessional counseling. As a result of the training, I applied counseling practices to calls from anonymous individuals.
FOOD AND CULTURE CLUB
Macomb, IL
As a member of this club at WIU, I coordinated with other members to come up with event themes such as Malaysian, South Korean, and Mexican food and culture. In addition to food, these events also included entertainment as well as speakers from the selected countries. I also contributed by helping to clean up after events.
STUDENT ASSOCIATION FOR NUTRITION EDUCATION (SANE)
Macomb, IL
As a vice president of SANE's volunteer committee, I helped organize activities, such as holding a cooking class for Big Brothers Big Sisters. Additionally, I assisted in contacting organizations for fundraising.
NAVDANYA BIODIVERSITY CONSERVATION FARM
Dehradun, Uttaranchal, India
Volunteering at this farm was the bulk of this study abroad experience through WIU. Tasks involved harvesting crops by hand, sorting, and basic groundskeeping. I also attended lectures and discussions on organic agriculture, soil, microorganisms, plant disease, Indian culture, Hinduism and Islam within India, and more.
Other
VOLUNTEER AT MCDONOUGH DISTRICT HOSPITAL
Macomb, IL
I volunteered in various departments including the hospital laboratory, the transitional care unit, public relations, the gift shop, patient escort/assistance, and food service.
VOLUNTEER AT SALVATION ARMY
Macomb, IL
This experience involved stocking and organizing food products as well as compiling family meal care packages.