Dietetics students achieve milestone by securing postgraduate internships
Dietetics students in the College of Family and Consumer Sciences are once again headed to top-notch post-graduate supervised practice programs.
Including the spring and fall application cycles, 30 students were selected by dietetic internship programs, an important step in becoming credentialed as a registered dietitian nutritionist (RDN).
“Our graduates are headed to exceptional programs in Georgia and throughout the United States,” said Emma Laing, clinical professor and director of dietetics in the department of nutritional sciences. “I am so proud of their hard work and dedication toward achieving this milestone that will launch their careers.”
Applying to dietetic internships is highly competitive and is a similar process to other allied health professional training programs like physician assistant, dental and medical schools.
UGA students seeking to become an RDN must first complete STEM coursework in a nationally-accredited program – the FACS dietetics major is a Didactic Program in Dietetics accredited by the Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics – then earn a minimum of a master’s degree and finish approximately 1,000 hours of supervised practice in an accredited internship.
Of the dietetics students who were accepted into DIs this year, 19 are enrolled in our Double Dawgs pathway, where they earn both a bachelor’s degree and a master’s degree in five years or less.
After successfully completing their graduate degree and dietetic internship, students then have to pass the national comprehensive Commission on Dietetic Registration RDN exam before seeking licensure to practice in their state.
"We are fortunate to have Dr. Laing lead our Didactic Program in Dietetics and the many dedicated faculty and staff who educate and mentor our students," said Connie Rogers, department head and Bill and June Flatt Professor of Nutritional Sciences. "I am so impressed that our dietetics students have achieved such a high placement rate to internships yet again, which is a credit to our students, faculty and leadership of Dr. Laing."
Laing said the program’s success is a reflection of the student-centric approach prevalent throughout the college.
“Our students receive the very best training delivered by the faculty and staff in our department and in the Student Success and Advising Center,” she said. “With tailored resources and multiple levels of support, our graduates are well-prepared to become successful and compassionate future RDNs.”
Students Carly Lansberg and Avery Karp credited Laing with helping them secure an internship with Wellness Workdays.
“We are incredibly grateful to Dr. Laing for her unwavering dedication," the students said. "Her support and belief in us gave us the confidence to pursue our goals and with her guidance, we were both accepted into our dream dietetic internships with Wellness Workdays."
Below is a list of students who were accepted into supervised practice programs this year, shared with permission.
Payton Brewer, Morrison Healthcare DI
Abriana Byrd, Morrison Healthcare DI
Leah Capomaccio, Mass General Hospital DI
Mackensey Clark, Virginia Tech DI
Libby Derry, Emory University Hospital DI
Anna Faye Dupree, Emory University Hospital DI
Ellie Getchell, Emory University Hospital DI
Rachel Gibbs, Morrison Healthcare DI
Marco Giraldo, Be Well Solutions DI
Abbi Haley, Emory University Hospital DI
Maggie Hartman, Morrison Healthcare DI
AnnaLisa Hutchinson, Sodexo DI
Renee Hutton, University of Georgia PhD/DI
Erin Iverson, Virginia Tech DI
Avery Karp, Wellness Workdays DI
Carly Lansberg, Wellness Workdays DI
Olivia McMickle, Aramark DI
Claire O’Toole, Emory University Hospital DI
Caitlin Peeler, Sodexo DI
Jesse Perry, Diet to Lifestyle DI
Elizabeth Petrucci, Be Well Solutions DI
Jordyn Purnell, Morrison Healthcare DI
Jacob Pursell, University of Georgia MS/DI
Lindsey Reynolds, Morrison Healthcare DI
Catherine Sigman, Morrison Healthcare DI
Skylar Smith, Morrison Healthcare DI
Tessa Weidner, Sodexo DI
Eli Whitaker, Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services DI
Amy Yepifantsev, Morrison Healthcare DI