Hello my fellow interns! I write this post with great excitement (and sadness) as I wrap-up my Leadership concentration with the Rhode Island Department of Health (RIDOH) and Governor’s Office.
How did I get there, you ask? When first accepted to the Sodexo Southcoast DI, I immediately chose Leadership as my concentration for two reasons: (1) leadership experience and exposure is critical as dietitians in education, research, advocacy, and public policy are newly emerging and essential career avenues in the dietetics field; and (2) the Leadership concentration allows interns to design a 200-hour rotation centered on their personal career interests and goals. Sounds amazing, right?! The possibilities are endless, but I was determined to design a leadership rotation with a focus on state-wide food policy in Rhode Island.
On a whim, I contacted Sue Anderbois, Rhode Island’s first Director of Food Strategy. For those who live far from this tiny state, we’re doing amazing things with our food policies! In an effort to grow Rhode Island’s economy and support healthy families and communities, Governor Gina M. Raimondo announced the hiring of the State’s (and nation’s) first Director of Food Strategy to lead the development of Rhode Island’s first comprehensive Food Strategy (attached). Designed to be a five-year action plan, the Strategy takes a holistic view of the state’s food system and is organized around three core themes: Health & Access, Economic Development, and Environmental Sustainability & Resiliency. Wanting desperately to be a part of this work, I met with Sue to discuss her initiatives within our state and pitch the idea of having a dietetic intern on her team.
Here’s a tip for all you interns and early professions: If you like what someone is doing in any field - even if it’s slightly related to dietetics - reach out to them! Chat through email, meet for coffee, join a conference call – whatever it is, collaborate as best you can and offer your services as a dietitian! As a dietetic intern, I worked closely with Sue’s partners from the RIDOH to establish the beginnings of a state-wide healthy retail initiative and hunger-free task force. I’ve compiled spreadsheets that detail what other states are doing to address food insecurity and hunger, and brainstorm ways in which Rhode Island can begin to develop a hunger-free task force (e.g., who is part of this conversation, who are our key stakeholders, do we need annual or biannual meetings). I also compiled spreadsheets and contributed to drafts that will help local concession stands and corner stores promote, place, and price healthy products to their consumers. Most importantly, I had the opportunity to sit-in on meetings with key Rhode Island stakeholders (RI Department of Education, RI Department of Human Services, Food Access committee members, SNAP outreach and education, RI Community Food Bank) to brainstorm ways in which we can shape the food environments in our local communities.
Our food environments are changing and dietitians should be at the table of discussion!
How did I get there, you ask? When first accepted to the Sodexo Southcoast DI, I immediately chose Leadership as my concentration for two reasons: (1) leadership experience and exposure is critical as dietitians in education, research, advocacy, and public policy are newly emerging and essential career avenues in the dietetics field; and (2) the Leadership concentration allows interns to design a 200-hour rotation centered on their personal career interests and goals. Sounds amazing, right?! The possibilities are endless, but I was determined to design a leadership rotation with a focus on state-wide food policy in Rhode Island.
On a whim, I contacted Sue Anderbois, Rhode Island’s first Director of Food Strategy. For those who live far from this tiny state, we’re doing amazing things with our food policies! In an effort to grow Rhode Island’s economy and support healthy families and communities, Governor Gina M. Raimondo announced the hiring of the State’s (and nation’s) first Director of Food Strategy to lead the development of Rhode Island’s first comprehensive Food Strategy (attached). Designed to be a five-year action plan, the Strategy takes a holistic view of the state’s food system and is organized around three core themes: Health & Access, Economic Development, and Environmental Sustainability & Resiliency. Wanting desperately to be a part of this work, I met with Sue to discuss her initiatives within our state and pitch the idea of having a dietetic intern on her team.
Here’s a tip for all you interns and early professions: If you like what someone is doing in any field - even if it’s slightly related to dietetics - reach out to them! Chat through email, meet for coffee, join a conference call – whatever it is, collaborate as best you can and offer your services as a dietitian! As a dietetic intern, I worked closely with Sue’s partners from the RIDOH to establish the beginnings of a state-wide healthy retail initiative and hunger-free task force. I’ve compiled spreadsheets that detail what other states are doing to address food insecurity and hunger, and brainstorm ways in which Rhode Island can begin to develop a hunger-free task force (e.g., who is part of this conversation, who are our key stakeholders, do we need annual or biannual meetings). I also compiled spreadsheets and contributed to drafts that will help local concession stands and corner stores promote, place, and price healthy products to their consumers. Most importantly, I had the opportunity to sit-in on meetings with key Rhode Island stakeholders (RI Department of Education, RI Department of Human Services, Food Access committee members, SNAP outreach and education, RI Community Food Bank) to brainstorm ways in which we can shape the food environments in our local communities.
Our food environments are changing and dietitians should be at the table of discussion!
