Ana Flores - Region 12

Hello everyone! My name is Ana Flores, and I am dietetic intern from San Diego, California. I began my dietetic internship in February 2024 in San Diego, CA. I later moved to Yuma, AZ, to complete patient services, clinical and clinical nutrition management rotations.
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My very first rotation was foodservice rotation at a hospital in San Diego County. From day one, I was warmly welcomed by kitchen staff and management; a well experienced team of kitchen staff and management who were genuinely passionate about their impact on their nutrition services to patients and customers of the cafeteria. Every day was a new learning experience. Within five weeks, I had experience in food production and quality control, menu planning and development, patient satisfaction tools and protocols, food, kitchen, and staff administration, amongst other aspects of food and nutrition. 

I then moved on to my community rotation. I am beyond grateful for all the learning opportunities and new things I experienced with different communities and non-profit organizations and the connections I made during this rotation. I interned under the supervision of a dietitian who specializes in baby-led weaning. I’ve gained valuable insights about nutrition in the pediatric population and communication with mothers and/or caregivers about adequate cooking methods to feed their babies.

Moreover, I volunteered at a local food bank named Hearts and Hands Working Together. I had the opportunity to collaborate with other volunteers to assist individuals and families with food insecurity and provide nutritious food. The most rewarding aspect of this experience was my help to those who required additional food assistance. Under the supervision of the site manager, I was able to educate and guide individuals to acquiring governmental assistance through Meals and Wheels and other nutrition services in San Diego County. 

I am currently in my basic clinical rotation. While the first couple of weeks were overwhelming and stressful, I have learned more than expected from the clinical dietitians. This practical experience has allowed me to challenge my medical nutrition therapy knowledge and critical thinking skills under the supervision of knowledgeable clinicians. I am very excited about more learning opportunities during my clinical rotation. 
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Overall, my experiences as a Sodexo Dietetic Intern have been fulfilling and inspirational. When I started my path to becoming a dietitian, I was unaware of the multiple scopes of practice in the dietetics field, from community services and food service to medical nutrition therapy and critical care. I am very grateful to all my preceptors and the Sodexo team for their support and patience in effectively acquiring the necessary skills for an entry-level dietitian. I am convinced my learning experiences and skills will serve me well enough for my future endeavors. 

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