Phoowanai Ektheerachaisakul BS, RDN

My fascination with the food's effect on the human body and its biochemical properties is the precise reason that I have chosen to study nutrition. However, this fascination was developed over a long period of time as I ventured to find my career. I enrolled myself in LaGuardia Community College's Dietetic Technician program, which enabled me to better understand and learn about the possibility of a future profession. Through various academic opportunities, I quickly learned about the diversity of the dietetic profession and could envision myself in such a field. The personal fulfillment I got from delivering nutrition education triggered my desire and ambition to become a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist.

 

Over the course of my studies, I accumulated copious amounts of experience. Reflecting back on my dietetic internship rotations. I found performing medical nutrition therapy to be the most challening and rewarding task. After completing 188 hours of acute care clinical nutrition in North Central Bronx Hospital. I honed my skills in screening and assessing patients to determine their nutritional status in a timely manner. In addition, I provided nutrition intervention and recommendations to health care team. My work allowed me to gain knowledge on collaborating in a multi-disciplinary team and earned the approval of my preceptor, Anu Jara. Ms. Jara continued to challenge me further with a complex case study, which I tackled euthsiatiscally. As well as assigning me to do staff relief for her clinical dietitian on my last week as a dietetic intern. This valuble experience reinforced my desire to become a well rounded clinical dietitian.

 

Both my academic performances and work expereince at LaGuardia was enriched. I served as a College Lab Technician for Clinical Nutrition Therapy course with Professor Cindy Pierce. This position has allowed me to undertake new challenges ranging from improving student academic performance to facilitating discussions on Diabetes Mellitus, Metabolic Syndrome and Cardiovascular Diseases. I connected with students and acquired many important attributes that are desired as a dietitian: amiability, flexibility and reliability. The role of a CLT provided me with the opportunity to build my character, confidence and professionalism. The attributes I developed from these experiences have certainly perpared me to become a qualified and exceptional individual.

 

As a dietetic student and dietetic intern, I was very fortunate to have Dr. Victoria Fischer as my dietetic internship director. She not only gave me guidance. The expertise Dr. Fischer has provided me with was extraoridinary educational and skill-building expereinces that will advance me on my path to becoming an outstanding Registered Dietitian Nutritionist.