Graduate college students in Florida State College’s Dietetic Internship and Individualized Supervised Observe Pathway obtained white coats on the program’s inaugural White Coat Ceremony to mark their entry into the sphere of dietetics, the start of medical rotations, and direct care of shoppers and sufferers.
Household, associates, school, workers, alumni and preceptors gathered within the FSU Scholar Union Ballrooms on Friday, April 28, to have a good time the 38 aspiring dietitians. One after the other, college students had been launched by Lisa Griffiths, interim chair of the Division of Vitamin and Integrative Physiology, and coated by Dietetic Internship Program Director Lisa Trone.
The ceremony, hosted by the Division of Vitamin & Integrative Physiology — at present housed inside CHHS — marked an essential milestone in college students’ journeys towards changing into registered dietitians.
“To me, placing on the white coat was a bodily illustration of all of the information and expertise I’ve gathered up till this level,” stated Dani Linavi, first-year dietetic internship scholar. “It’s additionally a crucial part of crafting my future identification; I’m one step nearer to having the ability to say, ‘I’m a dietitian, and I’m right here that will help you.’”
College students within the dietetic internship are working towards their grasp’s levels in both train physiology (with a sports activities vitamin main), or vitamin and meals science at FSU. Efficiently finishing a dietetic internship is required earlier than college students can take the examination for the Registered Dietitian (RD) credential with the Fee for Dietetics Registration.
With the ceremony being the primary of its type for this system, college students from all phases of their training and coaching participated – together with some who’ve already begun medical rotations and are nearing completion of the two-year program. Along with coursework, the dietetic internship requires a minimal of 1,200 hours of supervised observe in medical vitamin, neighborhood vitamin, and meals service methods administration.
Damon Andrew, interim dean of the School of Well being and Human Sciences, urged second-year college students to replicate on their experiences as they close to commencement.
“Let tonight function a reminder of what the white coat represents – the significance of integrity, compassion, and excellence,” Andrew stated. “I hope you’ll replicate in your experiences and are available away from tonight pleased with what you’ve completed, with a renewed enthusiasm for the sphere and dedication to excellence.”
For all college students, the ceremony was a celebration of their dedication to the dietetics occupation and their future sufferers and shoppers.
“Right this moment, as you don your white coats, you’re accepting the duties that include being a well being skilled. You’re changing into ambassadors of well being, advocates for vitamin, and position fashions for wholesome residing,” Andrew stated. “You’ll be working with weak populations and various communities spanning pediatrics, geriatrics, and sufferers with power ailments to call a couple of. Perceive the distinctive wants and challenges of the people, households, and communities you serve, and work towards positively influencing their well being and growth.”
Dietetic internship alumna and two-time FSU graduate Afaf Qasem served as visitor speaker. Qasem, who works as director of well being promotion for Tallahassee Memorial HealthCare and preceptor for FSU’s dietetic internship, inspired college students to construct relationships, discover mentors, and actively search alternatives for progress.
“You’re greater than a level, a quantity, or a ability. While you construct relationships, you’re a trusted, hardworking, and accountable skilled,” she stated. “Stay humble and foster humility. Keep in mind that you’re on this occupation as a result of you take care of others and need to assist them obtain their well being and wellness targets … Each encounter with a affected person, colleague, or neighborhood member will train you one thing about this profession and possibly even about your self.”
College students like Janasia Phillips left the ceremony excited as they put together for medical rotations.
“I imagine folks ought to take pleasure in meals and perceive the methods by which they’ll take pleasure in it and dwell a contented wholesome life, regardless of their measurement,” stated Phillips, who stated her love for culinary arts and information of nutrition-specific illness in her household led her to pursue dietetics. “Malnutrition could be on the root of so many illness states. In some instances, it may be life altering and fully shift the development of a illness. I’m wanting ahead to serving to folks and speaking to sufferers in want of assist.”
On the conclusion of the ceremony, three college students together with Linavi and Phillips had been awarded scholarships for his or her service, management, perseverance, and innovation:
Shine Brighter Perseverance Award: Nicholas Valenti
Golden Apple Service Award: Janasia Phillips
Director’s Management Award: Dani Linavi
The School of Well being and Human Sciences hopes to make the ceremony an annual occasion for dietetic internship college students on the conclusion of their first yr of this system.
To be taught extra about FSU’s Dietetic Internship and Individualized Supervised Observe Pathway, go to chhs.fsu.edu.
