Mohammad Adili - Region 8

Hi all! My name is Mohammad, and I am a region 8 intern based in Tallahassee, Florida. I started my internship in September 2022. I am beyond grateful to be a part of the Sodexo Dietetic Internship. This past September, I had the pleasure of attending orientation in Gaithersburg, where I got to know fellow interns in my cohort and the team of internship directors. Then, I arrived in Tallahassee feeling much more prepared to start my internship. 

My clinical rotation was at a 772-bed level 2 trauma center, which I loved. My responsibility as an intern was to provide critical care to a diverse patient population who had sustained severe injuries or were suffering from acute illnesses. I collaborated with the interdisciplinary team to develop and implement nutrition care plans for ICU patients requiring EN and PN support. I conducted NFPE to assess diverse patient populations’ nutritional status and identify signs of malnutrition. I also conducted nutrition assessments, planned interventions, monitored the effectiveness of interventions, and got a lot of practice charting in the EMR. One of my clinical rotation highlights was working with a patient struggling to manage type-1 diabetes. The patient had been recently diagnosed and had difficulty adjusting to their new dietary requirements. Through our sessions, I educated the patient on the importance of monitoring their carbohydrate intake and incorporating more whole foods into their diet. We worked together to create a meal plan that was both delicious and nutritious, including a variety of fruits, vegetables, lean proteins, and complex carbohydrates.

As the weeks progressed, the patient began to see improvements in their blood sugar levels and overall health. They expressed their gratitude for the support and guidance I provided during our sessions, which was incredibly rewarding for me as an intern. This rotation completely exceeded my expectations. My preceptor was phenomenal; he taught me so much and allowed me to experience first-hand how the RD plays a vital leadership role in enhancing the quality of life of the patients in the hospital.

I have the unique opportunity to tailor a part of my internship to my future goals and the area of dietetics I am deeply passionate about. The management concentration has allowed me to gain practical experience in managing nutrition services in a healthcare setting, develop leadership skills, and understand the intricacies of providing nutrition care to diverse populations. Completing this rotation provided me with a solid foundation for a career in dietetics, particularly in management roles within healthcare organizations, food service establishments, and community nutrition programs. As I move forward in my career, I can reflect on the valuable experiences, knowledge, and skills I gained during this rotation and apply them to my future practice as a registered dietitian.
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One tip for future interns, imagine you are a detective on a mission to solve a mystery - the mystery of your patient's health condition. Every day in the clinical rotation, you will gather clues by talking to your patients, reviewing their medical records and lab reports, and working with the healthcare team. Your job is to piece together these clues to create a comprehensive picture of your patient's health and develop a plan to help them improve their nutrition status. So, put on your detective hat, grab your notepad, and get ready to solve the mystery of your patient's health. By embracing your inner nutrition detective, you'll approach your clinical rotation with a sense of adventure and excitement, and you'll be well on your way to becoming a confident and competent dietitian.

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