When my practice started growing, I decided to leave the hospital and focus on my practice. At the same time, I took on the role of Director of a Dietetic Internship Program for the largest contract management company in North America. As my private practice grew and I opened a second office, I decided I needed to spend all my time on my business and I left the dietetic internship position. I continue to mentor nutrition students today by offering them opportunities to work in my office and volunteer on many projects that are ongoing.

Anne Elizabeth Cundiff, RD, LD, FAND

I started out in clinical dietetics at a Level 1 Trauma hospital directly out of my internship and worked there through a contract company for 7 years. I loved being part of a medical team but I also found clinical is a very taxing area of dietetics. It was then I realized I needed to be practicing more in the preventative side of dietetics.

Kara Ignasiak, MS, RDN, CD

There is SO much that RDs can do and so many areas that we can bring value to outside of the typical RD positions. Networking and building relationships is also extremely important to finding unique jobs in the field. I would not have found the role I have today if it were not for the connections I made during my graduate studies and AmeriCorps service.

Adrien Paczosa, RD, LD- CEDRD-S

When I work with patients I help them build a positive relationship with food and their bodies through understanding how food functions in the body. I love explaining biochemistry in a way that makes sense.

Mindy Black MS, RD, CSSD, CPT; Samantha Previte, RD, LDN, CPT; Lauren Smith MS, RD, LDN and Whitney Hochstetler, MS, RD, LDN

I cold-called Mindy Black (other co-owner of Dietitians of Palm Valley) who at the time owned Mindy Black Nutrition. We had very parallel career paths: counseling, sports, and the grocery store experience. After speaking with Mindy, I moved to Florida to partner with her, co-created Dietitians of Palm Valley, and continued to grow our practice into what it is today.

Hélène Charlebois BSc, RD

Enough already with ‘I did not know there was a difference between a dietitian and a nutritionist’. This is so old… we need to get our provincial colleges to educate not only the public but first and foremost our fellow HEALTHCARE PROFESSIONALS like doctors, nurses, physios, etc… let’s look in our own backyard.

interviews