Julia Pittman - Region 8

Hi everyone! My name is Julia Pittman. I am a dietetic intern from Athens, Georgia. I started my internship in February 2024. I began my internship with food service in Milledgeville, Georgia and am finishing my clinical rotation in Augusta, Georgia.
 
As I said, my first rotation was in food service. I completed this rotation at a small college. This college only had one dining hall, which was very different from the college where I went to school. Working in food service was not something I was looking forward to doing. However, I enjoyed my time in my food service rotation. Talking to the chefs and seeing their expertise at work was fun. I really enjoyed the time I spent with the catering and marketing teams because of the creativity that is part of their jobs.
 
My next rotation, which I am just about finished with, is my clinical rotation. This rotation has been an amazing experience. I am at a large hospital in Augusta, Georgia, that has a large burn center. Not only does this hospital treat burn patients, but wound care is a big part of that center. Getting to see how nutrition plays a role in wound healing has been an experience I was not expecting to get before doing this rotation. I was initially nervous talking to patients and having input into their care, but I became more comfortable with it and have come to enjoy talking to them. I gained exposure to a variety of medical conditions and every day spoke to someone new. Nutrition education was my favorite thing to do, and I also enjoyed the math of enteral nutrition. Sometimes, a patient just needed someone to talk to, and I was able to be that person for them.
 
While I still have a few more rotations, I have already learned so much. I have stepped out of my comfort zone many times and have grown as a person from my experiences. My next rotation is my specialty rotation, which I am looking forward to as it is in an area I am incredibly passionate about. I hope to learn even more during this rotation and help make a difference. I am grateful for these learning experiences the Sodexo internship has given me, and I look forward to what is next!
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