This Issue's Featured Content
Spotlight on Faculty and Lecturers
Announcements
Dr. John Carbone lead a project for the Institute for the Advancement of Food and Nutrition Sciences (IAFNS) titled "Evaluating the health and functional effects of dietary protein beyond isotopic measures of protein turnover". Outcomes will be webinars - with presentations from global experts on different protein-related health outcomes - along with a summary perspective paper.
Congratulations to Dr. Olivia Ford who received the Marshall Award for Scholarly Activity!
On March 22nd, Dr. John Carbone was the Honors College Star Lecture Series Speaker, "Fueling for Play: Nutrition and Human Performance": Dr. Carbone discussed the role of nutrition in enhancing skeletal muscle integrity. From fundamentals of nutritional science to specific findings from his last 15 years of human subjects research, this presentation reviewed the evidence base for contemporary protein feeding recommendations and the influence of negative energy balance and dietary protein intake on skeletal muscle protein synthesis and breakdown.
Lecturer Noelle Blasch MS, RDN attended an ACEND-provided skills workshop that covered how to train students on the new (as of 6.2022) clinical competencies
Publications and More...
Dr. Hutchins-Wiese HL, Argeros G, Walsh SE. Frailty and Nutrition Risk Predict Falls and Emergency Department Visits in Home-Delivered Meal Clients. Journal of Nutrition in Gerontology and Geriatrics. 2023 Jan; Epub, ahead of print link: doi.org/10.1080/21551197.2023.2167030
Dr. Rainville, A.J., Dr. Ford, O., Bessire, R, Wu, T.Y. Field Notes: Implementation of Healthy for Life® Virtual Cook-Along Classes. Journal of Hunger and Environmental Nutrition. 2022; link: doi:10.1080/19320248.2022.2157692
Congratulations to the Class of 2023
What's New on and Around Campus
What’s New on Campus?
Updated resident halls for the Fall 2023 semester: 3 resident halls are being renovated on schedule and will be ready for students for fall 2023. The Downing, Putnam and Walton residence halls will now have central air conditioning, as well as refreshed bathrooms, flooring, and energy-efficient windows, as well as a podcast and video recording studio and a prayer room!
New buildings are also underway for student living, opening in 2025 (link).
Shake Smart
Eastern's newest addition, located inside EMU's REC/IM, Shake Smart offers a variety of options for students. Products are focused around whole food ingredients and a balance of nutrients.
What's New Around Campus?
Ypsilanti is booming with a variety of new restaurants, quirky retail, and quaint coffee shops.
Retail
Restaurants
Coffee
Photos sourced through: https://www.ypsireal.com/
Alumni Updates
Where are they now?
Katelyn Gorr, MS, RDN: Lead Dietitian for Gestational Diabetes in Adult Outpatient Diabetes Education at Michigan Medicine
Interview with Katelyn Gorr, MS, RDN - Class of 2022
What have you been up to since graduating from the program?
Since graduating from the program in August of 2022, I had my sights set on getting a job that I enjoyed. I started studying for the exam and took it in early October. I did not feel 100% ready to take it but I knew that I wanted to try. AND I PASSED!! I was so grateful to be done studying and officially start my career as a dietitian. While studying, I had also been applying for jobs and doing a few interviews. I had my fair share of positions that I never heard back from or that did not offer me the job. However, I applied to a Dietitian position with Michigan Medicine as a Diabetes Educator in their Metabolism, Endocrinology, and Diabetes Clinic. I actually completed my specialty rotation here and knew that I loved the work environment. The same day that I passed the exam, I received a job offer for this position. I was sooooo excited! I am now the Lead Dietitian for Gestational Diabetes in the Adult Outpatient Diabetes Education Program at Michigan Medicine.
Where has your education taken you since graduating from the program? What have you enjoyed so far since beginning your career?
I have a passion for educating individuals with diabetes about what is going on in their body as well as diet and lifestyle techniques they can use to manage their disease. I also have a passion for working with pregnant people. I am so thankful to combine these two passions by providing education and support to individuals with gestational diabetes. I meet weekly with patients to help them manage their blood sugars and stay motivated to continue with diet and lifestyle adjustments. This allows me to establish a relationship with these patients and be a consistent support person throughout their pregnancy. I've found that this accountability is super beneficial for managing GDM in pregnancy.
I am also very thankful to have a full time job, after working part time during my time at EMU. I love my job so I am able to give 100% of my energy and focus to it, and come home after work to spend time with family and relax. I have been able to take a few short trips to Chicago and North Carolina now that I am no longer studying and doing homework! And Matt and I have been married for 2.5 years now! :)
How has your education prepared you in the start of your career?
My education at Eastern prepared me by providing endless information about diabetes and connecting me to a specialty rotation that I fell in love with. I was also able to practice my nutrition counseling skills at ENS and learn how to have difficult conversations in my long-term care and acute care rotations. The CP at Eastern allowed for me to learn about dietetics and apply my knowledge to real life situations. I am very glad that I was able to receive this kind of education.
Student Highlights
L-methol: An Emerging Athletic Performance-Enhancing Aid
L-menthol is an emerging athletic performance-enhancing aid administered through mouth swirling. The research literature presents conflicting data on L-menthol benefits, with regard to thermal comfort, alertness, and enhanced ventilation for the athlete. The literature is also inconclusive regarding success of topical versus swirling administration. Variables assessed in past studies include method of administration, swirling duration, frequency, and initiation point relative to onset of activity. In addition to a systematic review of the existing literature, the current project outlines a detailed protocol to evaluate menthol mouth rinsing on a treadmill time-to-exhaustion test.
Inaugural Ramadan Iftar Dinner
Outstanding Student Awards
B.S in Dietetics Outstanding Student: CeNique Wilson
CeNique was born and raised in Michigan. She completed her first bachelor's in Communications with an emphasis in Journalism at Grand Valley State University. During her junior year, she studied abroad for a semester at Veritas University in San Jose, Costa Rica. CeNique looks forward to working as a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist in an outpatient setting and eventually gaining experience in private practice. She is a group leader at MOPs, an organization that encourages, equips, and provides communal support for moms of young children. CeNique currently lives in Southfield with her husband, 3-year-old daughter, 4-month-old son, and blue pit Mamba.
M.S. In Dietetics Outstanding Student: Nicole Young
Nicole is a Coordinated Program in Dietetics M.S. student with anticipated graduation in August 2023. She has a background in the culinary field and has worked as a chef and cook in Ann Arbor for twenty years. She decided to change careers to focus on the science and health aspect of food through dietetics. Previously, she earned an associate degree in Culinary Management from Washtenaw Community College in 2008 and completed a bachelor's degree at Eastern Michigan University in 2021. She expects to stay in Southeast or Mid-Michigan and work as a long-term care or clinical dietitian. Her areas of interest include nutrition support, food allergies, plant-based diets, and LGBTQ health. She looks forward to giving back to the profession by serving as a preceptor for future dietetics students. Her hobbies include cooking, running with her dog, knitting, and traveling.
MSHN Student Updates
Outstanding Student Award
M.S. In Human Nutrition Outstanding student: Alexandra (Alex) Cameron, RDN
Alex is a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist who works in the public health field while she pursues her M.S. in Human Nutrition. Alex enjoys working directly with the community and finds joy in the continual follow-up and close relationships that she gets to form with her clients. Upon graduation, Alex hopes to continue to grow and evolve as an RDN while exploring new roles within her profession. Alex’s passions include maternal and infant health, intuitive eating practices, educating, and working with the public to reduce barriers to healthcare. On a personal note, Alex recently got married and lives with her husband, two dogs, and two cats in their recently renovated “fixer-upper”, an old farmhouse, circa 1887. Alex enjoys working on her home and making it a relaxing and cozy space to unwind. Alex is very grateful to her husband and her family who have supported her throughout the journey of earning a master’s degree. She is also very thankful for her dogs, Archie and Benny, who are a great source of stress relief!
Alex also completed her undergraduate degree in Dietetics at EMU.
In Memory of Randa Abdallah, RDN
Randa was an accomplished RDN and student in the M.S. in Human Nutrition program. She started her graduate studies in 2021 and faculty and staff remember Randa as a bright student with a bright future. She passed away in March 2023 and her sister Nadeen will be accepting her posthumous degree at Commencement in April 2023. Randa was a Food Service Manager at Michigan Medicine since 2018. She is missed and we send our condolences to her family, friends, and coworkers.
Dr. Judi Brooks Scholarship Fund
Students, colleagues, and friends of the late Judi Brooks, PhD, RD still fondly remember and envision her teaching in the Marshall Building. She mentored many graduate and undergraduate students in her 23 years at EMU and was more than a professor of nutrition and dietetics. For many, Dr. Brooks was more than a teacher—she was a role model, parental figure, and trusted confidant. Judi brought a very caring and warm presence to her classes and students appreciated her knowledge and encouragement. Judi’s exceptional record of teaching, research, service, and collegiality over the years has enriched and left a long-lasting legacy in the Dietetics program, Human Nutrition program, School of Health Sciences, and the university. Dr. Brooks passed away on Feb. 21, 2022 and is greatly missed by her School of Health Sciences colleagues, university colleagues, students, and alumni.
In April 2022, Dr. Judi Brooks was awarded posthumous recognition as Emeritus Faculty.
A memorial scholarship has been established in Judi's memory to support nutrition and dietetics students. To make a gift of any size visit https://www.emich.edu/foundation/give/index.php?fund=02727 or mail a check to the EMU Foundation c/o Judi Brooks Memorial Scholarship, PO Box 972057, Ypsilanti MI 48197. We hope to reach a $10,000 level for an endowed scholarship fund.
Thank you for remembering Dr. Brooks and her contributions to our programs and the university. For questions about this fund, reach out to Christa Reid, Director of Development at CReid20@emich.edu.
Do You Have an Update for An Upcoming Newsletter?
Please let us know! We'd love to share updates on employment changes, publications, new opportunities, and other successes. Please provide any updates to Sandy Pernecky, MS, RDN at spernecky1@emich.edu. Thanks for considering!
A special thank you to and acknowledgement of Ruth Franklin, RDN, a recent EMU Dietetics Program graduate and current MS HN student and graduate assistant. She created much of this newsletter installment's content and interviewed Katelyn Gorr for the Where are they now? article.
Credits:
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