Hi everyone! My name is Deb Miller and I am a region 1 intern in the Greater Boston area. I am currently at the end of my advanced clinical rotation at UMass Memorial Health Alliance in Leominster MA, where I will also be continuing my CCU concentration! I have been lucky to experience many different opportunities while being at this location. The acuity of the patients is very high, allowing me to see a variety of disease states, and utilize my knowledge and skills from the clinical packets and put in to practice. I have enjoyed working with many members of the interdisciplinary teams and observing how each different role integrates into the patient’s care. I have observed a bedside swallow, trach suctioning, read X-rays, and have a PEG procedure viewing planned to observe in the next few weeks! The nutrition staff has made me feel like I am a key part of their team, making me feel prepared to be an entry level dietitian. I have been able to learn so much that I am so grateful for.
While I have been completing most of my clinical hours, I have also been able to connect with other RDs and gain some community experience. I have done a presentation at Leominster high school, a presentation for post heart transplant patients at the UMass Medical school, and I was able to spend the day with a corporate RD at the Federal Reserve Bank of Boston. During this experience we had a table of recipes, cooking demos, and samples on how to make classic holiday dishes a little healthier. This was an amazing experience because I was able to ask the RD about her day to day life which entails more business and sales tasks such as pitching to potential clients.
To future interns, don’t be afraid to ask questions! Now is the time that you are able to see and experience anything that you are interested in. Many preceptors will be happy to help network or set up opportunities that will provide you with different experiences. Also, always say yes to any opportunity you are offered, as you may never have the chance to do it again.
While I have been completing most of my clinical hours, I have also been able to connect with other RDs and gain some community experience. I have done a presentation at Leominster high school, a presentation for post heart transplant patients at the UMass Medical school, and I was able to spend the day with a corporate RD at the Federal Reserve Bank of Boston. During this experience we had a table of recipes, cooking demos, and samples on how to make classic holiday dishes a little healthier. This was an amazing experience because I was able to ask the RD about her day to day life which entails more business and sales tasks such as pitching to potential clients.
To future interns, don’t be afraid to ask questions! Now is the time that you are able to see and experience anything that you are interested in. Many preceptors will be happy to help network or set up opportunities that will provide you with different experiences. Also, always say yes to any opportunity you are offered, as you may never have the chance to do it again.
