Hi there! My name is Mary Ann Bulosan from region 10 located in Corpus Christi, TX. I started off my internship journey in community, and at first, finding preceptors for me within a new city was a bit challenging, especially during the ongoing restrictions. Luckily, Sodexo provided me with examples of community rotation sites and the different opportunities out there. During this time, I made sure to stay in touch with my advisor and director, who were both helpful in answering all my questions/concerns and getting documents signed as requested by some facilities. Although I was able to complete the majority of my rotation hours onsite, I was short a couple of hours but was thankful for the opportunity that Sodexo provides to complete virtual webinars and stimulation activities to finish off my hours.
In my community rotation, interning with two private RDs—pediatric-focused and fitness-focused—I gained insight on building a nutrition business website and had the opportunity to sit in on a nutrition assessment, recall, and counseling virtually while creating recipe blogs, scheduling clients, and learning about coding for insurance purposes. At Coastal Bend Food Bank, I experienced a nutrition follow-up session, assisting in the employee interview process, budgeting, and collaborating with the nutrition educator professionals. I had the opportunity to step outside of my comfort zone, apply my knowledge of community nutrition and education during my mindful eating lesson plan. At WIC, I reviewed the patient's history, provided nutritional screening for pregnant mothers and children, participated in nutrition education and followed up consultations with clients where I realized the hardships of many of the clients which have positively or negatively shaped their health and food choices. From this experience, I saw many adults experiencing poverty while facing difficult lifestyle choices and lacked consistent healthy foods therefore increasing risk for diabetes, heart disease and other health conditions.
Currently, I am in my fourth week in my concentration rotation at Better Weigh Center where I gather nutrition assessments, dietary recalls, plan nutrition interventions, identify parameters to monitor success of interventions, individualize support and education for dietary needs as the patient advances through the stages of weight loss. I gain experience in pre- and post-operative counseling for bariatric surgery patients, implement and manage nutrition care plans for weight management while considering life experiences, cultural diversity, and educational background. I have been able to effectively work as part of an interdisciplinary care team to provide high quality patient care.
I have been enjoying each rotation thus far and cannot wait to see what is next. I love the flexibility of Sodexo’s internship and enjoy the accommodation from all of Sodexo’s staff. To my fellow interns, make the most of wherever you are interning, even if it isn’t exactly what you want to do in the future. Learn from everyone you meet, make connections, and utilize your colleagues, advisors, and directors as support!
In my community rotation, interning with two private RDs—pediatric-focused and fitness-focused—I gained insight on building a nutrition business website and had the opportunity to sit in on a nutrition assessment, recall, and counseling virtually while creating recipe blogs, scheduling clients, and learning about coding for insurance purposes. At Coastal Bend Food Bank, I experienced a nutrition follow-up session, assisting in the employee interview process, budgeting, and collaborating with the nutrition educator professionals. I had the opportunity to step outside of my comfort zone, apply my knowledge of community nutrition and education during my mindful eating lesson plan. At WIC, I reviewed the patient's history, provided nutritional screening for pregnant mothers and children, participated in nutrition education and followed up consultations with clients where I realized the hardships of many of the clients which have positively or negatively shaped their health and food choices. From this experience, I saw many adults experiencing poverty while facing difficult lifestyle choices and lacked consistent healthy foods therefore increasing risk for diabetes, heart disease and other health conditions.
Currently, I am in my fourth week in my concentration rotation at Better Weigh Center where I gather nutrition assessments, dietary recalls, plan nutrition interventions, identify parameters to monitor success of interventions, individualize support and education for dietary needs as the patient advances through the stages of weight loss. I gain experience in pre- and post-operative counseling for bariatric surgery patients, implement and manage nutrition care plans for weight management while considering life experiences, cultural diversity, and educational background. I have been able to effectively work as part of an interdisciplinary care team to provide high quality patient care.
I have been enjoying each rotation thus far and cannot wait to see what is next. I love the flexibility of Sodexo’s internship and enjoy the accommodation from all of Sodexo’s staff. To my fellow interns, make the most of wherever you are interning, even if it isn’t exactly what you want to do in the future. Learn from everyone you meet, make connections, and utilize your colleagues, advisors, and directors as support!
