Honor Society® member
Melissa Austin
dietetic internship at Erie County Medical Center, Buffalo NY.
- University at Buffalo
- Dietetics and Nutrition
- Class of 2023
- Webster, NY
Member since March 2022
About
Melissa Austin is a Dietetic Intern and Master's student at the University at Buffalo (UB). Her dietetic journey began at Monroe Community College (MCC) where she completed the majority of her prerequisites over a two-year period. She then transferred to the Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT) where she completed her didactic program in dietetics (DPD). Melissa graduated Magna Cum Laude Class of 2021 and received the honor of Dean’s List each semester of her undergraduate career while also balancing a part-time job. While studying at RIT, Melissa gained valuable skills and experiences in various dietetic environments outside of her coursework. She gained hands-on research experience working on the ELM clinical trial, spent 400+ hours working in a clinical setting at the University of Rochester Strong Memorial Hospital, and spent another 400+ hours working in a food service setting. While studying at UB, Melissa has gained experience working in interdisiplinary teams with other healthcare professionals as a Dietetic Intern at Erie County Medical Center and through school-organized events. The knowledge and skills gained through Melissa’s DPD, graduate school, and work experiences helped establish her career interest in community nutrition.
Education
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University at Buffalo
nutrition and dietetics
2021 – 2023
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Rochester Institute of Technology
nutrition and dietetics
2019 – 2021
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Monroe Community College
nutrition and dietetics
2017 – 2019
Honors and awards
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dean's list
Honor received for Fall 2017, Spring 2018, Fall 2018, Spring 2019, Fall 2019, Spring 2020, Fall 2020, and Spring 2021 terms.
Goals and interests
- Career goal
My short-term goal is to complete the Clinical Nutrition MS program, pass the credentialing examination, and obtain an entry-level position as a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist by the spring of 2023. My long-term goal is to be an expert RDN practitioner in public health and community nutrition to promote health equity and disease prevention in underserved populations.
- Graduate school interests
I am currently a Dietetic Intern and Clinical Nutrition MS student at the Univeristy at Buffalo. The Clinical Nutrition MS program prepares graduates to become competent, entry-level registered dietitian nutritionists for service and practice in global and local communities through educational excellence, interdisciplinary collaboration, use of research process and critical thinking skills to improve the health of populations, communities and individuals. The program is an ACEND-accredited future education model that provides integrated graduate coursework and supervised experiential learning necessary to take the national Registration Examination for Dietitians.
- Outside the classroom
My hobbies play a very important role in my life. My favorite hobbies include hiking, yoga, exercise, cooking, and drawing. These activities help me to clear my mind, enjoy the present, and see the positive things in life.
Experience
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dietetic internship
Erie County Medical Center, Buffalo NY.
Feb 2022 – Apr 2022
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cook
Salvatore's Old-Fashioned Pizzeria, Webster NY.
Feb 2021 – Aug 2021
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Patient Menu Assistant
University at Rochester Strong Memorial Hospital, Rochester NY.
Dec 2020 – Feb 2021
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dietary aide
Aaron Manor Rehabilitation Center, Rochester NY.
Jun 2020 – Sep 2020
Additional information
Organizations
