Hello everyone! My name is Diana Fleeter and I am a dietetic intern in region 3. I am currently in the midst of my advanced clinical rotation at Lenox Hill Hospital in New York City. Lenox Hill is a large acute-care hospital with over 450 beds and 9 full-time dietitians on staff. I have gleaned such wonderful knowledge from my experience on the cardiac, GI, surgery, oncology, and general medicine floors. Leveraging my clinical experience, guidance from my preceptors, and the Sodexo pre-clinical assignments, I have been able to conduct nutrition assessments, provide nutrition education, and work with patients effectively in various disease states. It has been so impactful to work with patients and establish their nutritional goals and needs and make their hospital stay just a little bit brighter. One of my favorite aspects about working with patients is meeting with them just before they are discharged. Often times they are post-op patients or patients who are finally on the mend, and they are eager to gather as much nutrition and food-related knowledge before being “set free” on their own. I have especially loved working with these patients providing extensive diet and nutrition education before they depart the hospital.
Additionally, I have enjoyed meeting and working with members of the interdisciplinary teams, including doctors, nurses, and speech pathologists to deliver effective patient care. I just spent the past two weeks in the Surgical and Medical ICUs (SICU and MICU) and really enjoyed learning the intricacies behind critical care nutrition. So far, I have attended ICU rounds, seen a stage 4+ wound debridement, watched a FEES speech and swallow study, and witnessed a patient get intubated. I have also conducted more than 20 nutrition-focused physical exams on patients, and I now understand the importance of these physical exams when assessing for malnutrition in the patient population. I am looking forward to heading to the Neonatal ICU next to learn how to apply the nutrition care process to newborn babies and their parents.
Thank you to Sodexo for providing me with a wealth of wonderful opportunities—I feel prepared and excited to start my career as a future RD!
Additionally, I have enjoyed meeting and working with members of the interdisciplinary teams, including doctors, nurses, and speech pathologists to deliver effective patient care. I just spent the past two weeks in the Surgical and Medical ICUs (SICU and MICU) and really enjoyed learning the intricacies behind critical care nutrition. So far, I have attended ICU rounds, seen a stage 4+ wound debridement, watched a FEES speech and swallow study, and witnessed a patient get intubated. I have also conducted more than 20 nutrition-focused physical exams on patients, and I now understand the importance of these physical exams when assessing for malnutrition in the patient population. I am looking forward to heading to the Neonatal ICU next to learn how to apply the nutrition care process to newborn babies and their parents.
Thank you to Sodexo for providing me with a wealth of wonderful opportunities—I feel prepared and excited to start my career as a future RD!
