Conversations With Anne Elizabeth

Conversation 37: The Story, Journey and Passion of RD-to-be, Sarah Manders “I always liked going to the grocery store with my mom and that fueled my food interest. My mom read the nutrition labels and I learn from watching her do that when we were shopping. We always had dinner together as a family. Being an intern now is all very fascinating, now I am applying everything I learned in school. ” - Sarah Manders, RD-to-be My conversation today is with RD-to-be and Dietetic Intern, Sarah Manders I absolutely love talking with dietetic students and interns because I see myself in these passionate and excited people. Sarah is an RD-to-be with a lot of passion but is also completely open to the dietetics world and what it has to offer. She is early into her internship but is keeping an open mind to all the possibilities this profession has to offer. Our conversation got me excited again and reminds me why I am a dietitian today. Please enjoy my conversation with Sarah. Connect with Sarah: sem@iastate.edu   This Epi

Conversation 36: The Story, Journey and Passion of Rachel Wall, RD, LD “By working in Extension, I get to have feelers within a lot of areas of nutrition. One of the other things I love about my job is the team I get to work with. I feel we are very supportive of each other. There are 12 Nutrition and Wellness Specialist across the state that do the nutrition and wellness programming. I think the great part is, even though I might not see them everyday, we can divide and conquer. Extension gives you the opportunity to explore your personal interests. ” - Rachel Wall RD, LD My conversation today is with Registered Dietitian Rachel Wall. Rachel and I had a great conversation today. Rachel radiates passion for being a Registered Dietitian and is flourishing as a Nutrition and Wellness Specialist for the Iowa State University Extension and Outreach. I didn’t not get a lot of experience with Extension when I was in my internship and I think it is very important for many of us to look more into this career opportun

Conversation 35: The Story, Journey and Passion of Dorothy McClure, RD, LD “I was used to trying to help fix people and mend them (as a clinical dietitian), all these high risk things and then all of a sudden, I come to long term care and it was really hard for me at first. To think about that people are coming there to live their life out and maybe not go home, that was really hard. But, I enjoyed listening to their stories and learning from them and all their past experiences. ” - Dorothy McClure, RD, LD My conversation today is with Registered Dietitian Dorothy McClure. My conversation today has brought a lot of light to long term care for me. I was once also a clinical dietitian and it was something that was never on my radar. Dorothy has opened my eyes to all the wonderful things long term care offers for registered dietitians and for the clients. Dorothy is not only a registered dietitian, but she manages a staff of clinical dietitians, works as an integral part of a team of other allied health professi

Conversation 34: The Story, Journey and Passion of Amber Pankonin, MS, RD, LMNT “It gets lonely. I think that’s another thing about being an entrepreneur, you’ve got so much stress, with launching a business and doing all these different things and there is that social aspect. You don’t have the camaraderie you once had. That’s where I really turned to social media and building those relationships online with other dietitians who were doing similar work and I felt like I have some community here.” - Amber Pankonin, MS, RD, LMNT My conversation today is with Registered Dietitian Amber Pankonin. My conversation today is with one of my favorite boss ladies. She owns StirList and is known as RD Amber in our social media world. Amber is passionate about food, nutrition science and agriculture as a Nutrition & Agriculture Communications Consultant and adjunct instructor. In her bio she writes, “when I grow up, I’d like to be a photographer or maybe a backup dancer because Amber has always had a creative side. S

Conversation 33: The Story, Journey and Passion of Lisa Nolting, RD, LD “Food Service is definitely an area that could benefit from more dietitians, not just for their nutrition expertise, but for our management and our leadership skills. I think that’s what school food service really needs in addition to being able to follow the (school meal program) guidelines.” - Lisa Nolting, RD, LD My conversation today is with Registered Dietitian Lisa Nolting. My conversation today is with a new friend of mine and I absolutely enjoy talking with her every time I see her. We met through the Iowa Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics and I found Lisa’s passion for food service and management to be inspiring, since it is something I have always been a little scared of. In our conversation, Lisa takes me through some her of her bravest moments as a new dietitian and what brings her joy in being a dietitian in a K-12 school system and in her current job with Iowa State University. At Iowa State she has a wide variety of respon

Conversation 32: The Story, Journey and Passion of Tanya Hargrave-Klein, MS, RD, LD “I fell into dietetics by chance. I had already been working in the fitness world. During undergrad, I taught group fitness classes and I worked in a worksite health promotion program. That really interested me because I liked the marriage of fitness and the nutrition. I loved the wellbeing and wellness work. I was very comfortable in exercise physiology and it allowed me to really dig deep in the kinesiology arena and get that expertise as well (masters degree). I had expertise in both the nutrition and fitness world. I wanted to be on the front end, the prevention side, that is where I felt my talent was.” - Tanya Hargrave-Klein, MS, RD, LD. My conversation today is with Registered Dietitian Tanya Hargrave-Klein When I moved to the Des Moines area, about 9 years ago, I started working with a project involving wellness interventions at elementary schools in the area as a contractor with the Academy of Nutrition and Dieteti

Conversation 31:  The Story, Journey and Passion of Amanda Kruse, RD, CD “How can I help myself, how can I help others like me (a college athlete).  I  really thought originally, that I’m either going to be a coach or a sports dietitian. The more I went to school, learning about food service, I realized I could work in a university with students that were still at the impressionable age to make good choices. I’m a food service girl, currently working with K-12 kiddos but that’s where I started, in college dining services.  That was  the cool thing, having a dietitian there as a resource to be able to help students eat safely and healthfully. It was fantastic. ” - Amanda Kruse, RD, CD My conversation today is with Registered Dietitian Amanda Kruse. While I was continuing my adventure in Indianapolis, then president-elect of the Indiana Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics Amanda Kruse just got done putting the final touches on their annual meeting. It was about 9:30 pm and I knew upon first meeting her, passion

Conversation 30:  The Story, Journey and Passion of Christina Ferroli, PhD, RD, FAND “We (registered dietitians) are the best kept secret. Dietitian’s need to keep exploring what is truly possible and not tend to set limits on themselves. I’m a little rebel raiser. Push the boundaries a little be and bee aware of the possibilities.” - Christina Ferroli, PhD, RD, FAND My conversation today is with Registered Dietitian Nutritionist Christina Ferroli. This spring, I had my first and very fast trip to Indianapolis, Indiana where I had the joy to meet some wonderful dietitians with the Indiana Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. Christina, so graciously took time out of her busy day to sit down with me and share her story of passion and purpose, while also serving as the president of the Indiana Academy. Christina is dietitian who thrives on experiences. She has worked with Purdue Extension for over 20 years. She enjoys working with the aging population, creating opportunities for other registered dietitians, has

Conversation 29:  The Story, Journey and Passion of Jessie Hatch, MS, RDN, CNSC, CD “When I was finishing my degree, I had an amazing professor who instilled just a lot of passion and a lot of desire for life-long learning and she encouraged me to pursue a master's degree which ended up being a rollercoaster ride because she passed away during my project. So for awhile, I actually took a few steps back to find out if medical nutrition therapy was where I really needed to be. Those professionals that have gone before make you realize this is worth your time (dietetics), it is going to be hard work but you will love it and it’s worth it. I am always looking for opportunities that are meaningful to me.” - Jessie Hatch, MS, RDN, CNSC, CD My conversation today is with Registered Dietitian Nutritionist Jessie Hatch. . Jessie has such a beautiful and poetic dietetic journey so far. She found an interest in nutrition at a young age with her family having a garden and always eating her fruits and vegetables. When she

Conversation 28:  The Story, Journey and Passion of Kelli Boi, MS, RDN, CD “I think I have “aha’ moments all the time. In my first year of grad school and I was asked to be an educator, I remember feeling that yes, I want to do that. In my second year of grad school, I had my second “aha” moment when I was working as a diet tech and training a newly hired dietitian, that I had a special set of skills that really was unique and valuable in skilled nursing and long term care.  All of which has lead  me to my next “aha” moment because my very favorite thing about my job is precepting students. I have an addiction to students. I love taking these people who have a passion and want to practice and really focusing on them and helping them to develop.” - Kelli Boi, MS, RDN, CD My conversation today is with Registered Dietitian Nutritionist Kelli Boi. This spring I had the absolute joy to travel to the beautiful state of Utah and speak at the Utah Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics annual meeting, Kelli Boi was the a

Conversation 27:  My Mother’s Day Special, Ruth Huebert “I did know about a dietitian (before you became one) but I probably wouldn’t have known the difference between a dietitian and a nutritionist. I think a lot of people get that confused. I now know what I’m talking about (when I tell people the difference.” -Ruth Huebert My conversation today is with my Mom, Ruth.   I was excited to sit down today with my Mom on Mother’s Day, Which is a very special day. I always go back and see her every year and just celebrate her being my Mom. In a conversation a couple of months ago, my mom made the sweet comment that she was the “original dietitian.” That is when the lightbulb went off and I thought it would be a great idea to do a special Mother’s Day podcast with my Mom (and hopefully more). My Mom is great and I love her with all my heart. She really is the inspiration of me becoming a dietitian and I am very thankful.   Please enjoy my very special conversation with my Mom on Mother’s Day.   This Episode is Spon

Conversation 26:  The Story, Journey and Passion of Jennifer DeWall, RDN, LD, CSSD, CIC®   “When you have a new position you can overestimate what can be done in a year, but you can underestimate what can be done in 5 years. You think you should be making all these great leaps and bounds but it takes a little bit of time .” - Jennifer DeWall, RDN, LD, CSSD My conversation today is with Registered Dietitian Nutritionist Jennifer DeWall. Jen is enthusiastic and open to anything when it comes to being a registered dietitian. In her career, she has placed herself in new positions and welcomed the challenge to create and define those positions. Jen grew up in a home where health and wellness was extremely important. She had an aunt who was a registered dietitian in private practice who in a roundabout way, maybe lead her to her own private practice today. In our conversation we talk about her love for preventative health, sports and athletes, working as a dietary aide, experience with policy, her advice when havin

Conversation 25:  The Story, Journey and Passion of Ashley Pringle, RD-to-Be “I knew at some point businesses and corporations would require you to become a registered dietitian. I feel like I need to be educated enough (in dietetics) to help people. I don’t think a nutritionist is going to have the education that we get in MNT (Medical Nutrition Therapy). I’m that type of person, if I am going to do something I am going to do it 100% and whole heartedly and do it right.”- Ashley Pringle My conversation today is with RD-to-Be, Ashley Pringle. I wanted to have a conversation with Ashley, because she went on a trip with a friend to India and decided to go back to school to help people by being a registered dietitian after working in the business world as an HR recruiter. She reveals her perspective on going back to school, the internship application process and where she see’s herself practicing. Not only is she waiting for her internship match, she is getting married in 6 weeks. I am excited to share her journ

Conversation 24:  The Story, Journey and Passion of Brian Smith, RDN, LD “Finally, I found something that fed my heart (dietetics). I truly believe that where your greatest desire intersects with where you see the worlds greatest need is where you need to be. If you are fulfilled, happiness will follow.”- Brian Smith, RDN, LD My conversation today is with Registered Dietitian Nutritionist Brian Smith.  I have to tell you, sitting and talking with Brian is like sitting with a friend I have known for a 100 years. He is so warm and welcoming. What I love about this conversation with Brian is that he has had multiple careers, has traveled around the world, was a star college athlete, brews his own beer, loves to cook, is raising 2 daughters after the passing of his wife and still lives a good examined life with much satisfaction. He truly embodies the definition of living his passion by being a registered dietitian. If you are someone who has found dietetics later in life, you will find a great connection with Br

Conversation 23:  The Story, Journey and Passion of Susan L. Roberts JD, MS, RD “I think it is really important for us as professionals to call ourselves, we are food and nutrition professionals. We often time say we are nutritionists or we are nutrition professionals, in reality food is what gives us the nutrition. And food, in my belief, as I have been in my career a long time, it’s the food that’s what really important and how that food is grown. You know all that kind of stuff and the sustainability issues are probably more important than the nutrition issues and we really need to be looking at all the issues as professionals in that arena. We can really broaden our area of what we think of as our profession.”- Susan L. Roberts JD, MS, RD My conversation today is with Registered Dietitian Susan Roberts. Susan has been a pioneer in a variety of professional settings by creating her outstanding professional path. During college, she discovered her appreciation and passion for landscape architecture and agri

Conversation 22:  The Story, Journey and Passion of Personal Trainer and Wellness Coach, Andrew Salgado “If somebody shares their health or wellness experiences, I feel very honored because I feel that health is a very personal thing and if they share that with you, they’re able to tell you what they are going through right now. (When they share this with me) It’s like “wow, that for sharing that with me” and I definelty want to do my best because they’re sharing that for a reason. I try to do my part in taking the information and trying to work with them, find them (my clients) right where they are and I try to meet them at that spot.” - Andrew Salgado   My conversation today is with Personal Trainer and Wellness Coach Andrew Salgado. As registered dietitians, we sometimes get mistaken for the expert in everything health related. We know as professionals that food, nutrition and physical activity have a very cozy relationship. I don’t know about you, but I was not trained at all in fitness and do not believe

Conversation 21:  The Story, Journey and Passion of Lucille Beseler, MS, RDN, LDN, CDE “As a young dietitian you don’t appreciate all the people you meet along the way. I would say to our young dietitians, stop and savor the moment and appreciate the people that you come in contact with along the way. They may see things in you that you do not see in yourself.” - Lucille Beseler, MS, RDN, LDN, CDE My conversation today is with Registered Dietitian Lucille Beseler who graciously took time out of her busy schedule to meet with me on a Sunday afternoon. She is a private practice registered dietitian, author and the owner of Family Nutrition Center of South Florida. She has a passion for cooking and painting beautiful flowers. In her spare time, she currently is the President of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics and has spent the last year inspiring other registered dietitians for the next century of our amazing profession and and our national organization. During our candid and down to earth conversation, s

Conversation 20:  The Story, Journey and Passion of Chef Andrew Kintigh “It’s all science. Whether it’s baking or traditional cooking. It’s the same when you’re plating a normal entree or a salad, there’s all those components that the chef or even the cook (and you don’t have to be a chef to cook great food).  There’s so many chefs that aren’t classically trained that are better than chefs that haven’t gone to school. If you’re going to go to school, you definitely need the real life experience of working on a kitchen line and “being in the weeds” - Chef Andrew Kintigh My conversation today is with Chef Andrew Kintigh As registered dietitians, we love food and know exactly how food functions in our bodies and many of us incorporate cooking and recipes into our profession. Enter, Chef Andrew. As a registered dietitian, I value the expertise the professionals who work with food daily, which is knowing the science behind cooking. Chef Andrew is someone I have gotten to know over the past couple years and I value

Conversation 19:  The Story, Journey and Passion of Registered Dietitian, Anita Turczynski RD, LD “I was asked to give nutrition talk at my daughter's pre-school (at the time) and I researched fun activities for kids nutrition education. That lead me to providing a presentation for Child and Adult Nutrition Education Programs on teaching nutrition education. I have realized that child nutrition is a passion of mine. It’s not work if you love it. There is always something new to learn.” - Anita Turczynski,  RD, LD My conversation today is with Anita Turczynski, RD, LD Anita is a one of those people you meet who just radiates positivity both personally and professionally. It was interesting to know she initially majored in accounting in college. While she was navigating her future career plans and after shadowing a registered dietitian, she truly discovered her passion for nutrition. This lead her to an interest in food service nutrition and also a love for nutrition education with children in a public school s

Conversation 18:  The Story, Journey and Passion of Registered Dietitian, Jenny Norgaard, RD, LD “Food is Medicine. We live in a society where there are so many resources for people to reach out and get help to be healthy. It doesn’t have to be complicated. Keep it simple because it is always the answer.” - Jenny Norgaard, RD, LD My conversation today is with Jenny Norgaard, RD, LD Jenny and I go way back to meeting each other during our internship and have shared many great experiences we still discuss and laugh about today, as well as a lifelong friendship.  She initially was going to go into nursing and decided after a conversation with a registered dietitian in her hometown, she was hooked. After experiencing a variety of careers in the dietetics field, Jenny currently feels at home and is very passionate about the preventative side of health and wellness. Please enjoy my conversation with Jenny. Links from the Conversation Connect with Jenny through email at jnorgaard@hy-vee.com   Iowa State University