Hi! My name is Alicia Woll and I am a region 11 Sodexo dietetic intern located in Colorado. With the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, I have had a fun mix of experiences both virtually and on site. Before the pandemic hit, I was able to complete my food service rotation and a small portion of my clinical hours at Platte Valley Medical Center in Brighton, Colorado. My experience at Platte Valley was amazing; I was welcomed with open arms by the entire team. I was encouraged to work as if I was a member of the management team, and all of my preceptors made me feel like a valued, permanent teammate.
During my foodservice rotation, I was given the opportunity to work on a few different projects with the team. One of my favorite experiences was being able to work with the oncology dietitian to make high-protein and high-calorie snacks for patients undergoing chemotherapy. We made some tasty oat ball snacks and were able to hand them out to the patients during treatments. It was so much fun getting to offer the patients little tasty treats that not only were good for them but also brightened their days.
Due to the pandemic, I did have to leave the hospital early just after starting my clinical rotations. Once I started transitioning to working from home, I was so pleased to have the entire Sodexo internship team supporting me. They provided us with great alternatives to complete our rotations and gain the experiences we needed virtually. I have been able to complete most of my community hours and some of my leadership concentration hours at home.
Due to the pandemic, I did have to leave the hospital early just after starting my clinical rotations. Once I started transitioning to working from home, I was so pleased to have the entire Sodexo internship team supporting me. They provided us with great alternatives to complete our rotations and gain the experiences we needed virtually. I have been able to complete most of my community hours and some of my leadership concentration hours at home.
The flexibility of the leadership concentration has been something I have enjoyed greatly. It has allowed me to explore my leadership skills and knowledge while developing a nutrition education program from the ground up. I am fortunate to be a board member of a 501c3 organization called Cap For Kids. We focus on financially supporting families who have a child undergoing treatments for cancer. We also work to give our sponsored kids hope and cheer by visiting them dressed as their favorite superheroes, princesses, and pop culture characters. The leadership concentration has empowered me to develop unique ways to aid our sponsored families and spread nutrition knowledge to the world. Learning how to effectively teach people about nutrition has been challenging, and I am looking forward to continuing to learn more about becoming a nutrition leader of the future.
I am eager to start back in the hospital for clinical rotations in mid-May. However, until then, I am grateful for all of the guidance and support the internship directors at Sodexo and my preceptors have provided. Thank you all for being a constant encouraging presence and being so invested in the success of your interns. Your leadership in times of uncertainty is an inspiration to me and something I hope to model in my own leadership style.
I am eager to start back in the hospital for clinical rotations in mid-May. However, until then, I am grateful for all of the guidance and support the internship directors at Sodexo and my preceptors have provided. Thank you all for being a constant encouraging presence and being so invested in the success of your interns. Your leadership in times of uncertainty is an inspiration to me and something I hope to model in my own leadership style.
