Fifteen years ago was when my inspiration to promote nutrition and wellness first began

to transpire. My mom and I were anxiously awaiting the results of my ketone test. My doctor

opened the door with a sunken head and informed us of my diagnosis. I don’t remember much of

the conversation except the words, “type one diabetes.” And with that my mom began to cry; me

being too young to realize what this condition meant mirrored her reaction and cried too. Over

the following days, I learned as much as I could about diabetes. I was blissfully ignorant to what

it would eventually demand of me. Implementing a lifestyle change as comprehensive as this is

an impressive task to ask a twelve-year-old and the stress it bared on my family was

unimaginable. To put this in perspective, a study at Stanford estimated that those with type one

diabetes make an additional 180 health related decisions per day. However, I did not know the

development of my diabetes would be the catalyst to influence my future career choice.

My undergraduate degree in nutrition and my minor in public health was a great

foundation for promoting wellness and has continuously fueled my dedication to dietetics. While

in college, I was able to accomplish a high grade point average, be event coordinator of one of

the largest student organizations on campus, work as a supervisor at a vintage hospitality

resturant, and volunteer at many events where I promoted wellness through philanthropic

entities. As an elected officer of the Student Nutrition Organization I planned over 100 volunteer

opportunities involving non-profit organizations in San Diego. We also raised over $4,900 for

the Kids Eat Right campaign by hosting a silent auction and gala. Our organization participated

in serving meals to families in need, donated time and food to the San Diego Food Bank, and

educated students about nutrition at the annual health fair on campus to name a few events. The

experience I gained from being an event coordinator led me to become a volunteer at Sharp’s

Diabetes Education Center.

 I worked closely with diabetes educators and dietitians at the Diabetes Education Center

where I assembled information packets and surveyed patients’ satisfaction of the program and

the care they received. While surveying patients, I learned a great deal about the importance of

clearly defining health goals. I also heard from patients how the diabetes education program and

nutrition planning could be better executed. Most often the complaints dealt with the lack of

individuality of the plans. Patients demand to have unique and tailored plans to fit their specific

needs whether it be for diabetes, heart disease, or chronic kidney disease. When I am a dietitian I

plan to focus my attention on preparing patients and setting them up for success when they leave

the clinic or hospital. I want a dietetic internship because I pledge to make patients a priority and

empower them to make the right decisions to better manage their care. I will reach these goals

and strengthen our health care system with effective communication, maintaining integrity and

professionalism, ensuring competence within myself, and promoting the overall well-being of

my clients.

Volunteering at Sharp was a very rewarding experience and I was offered a job at Scripps

Hospital. I am so grateful to have a position in the hospital because I have the ability to interact

with patients and perfect my communication skills. I began my career at Scripps as a food

service partner and then I became a diet clerk. I assist patients with their meals and verify their

meals are within their diet’s limitations. It is special when I get an opportunity to interact with

patients because they are in a delicate position and entrust us to do right by them. My goal is to

advocate for their needs and go above and beyond for them. I was recently nominated to be a

Scripps Ambassador. This program is a way for Scripps to hire more likeminded individuals like

myself who always put patients first and make a positive impact on their experience. For as long
as I can remember, I have always been the first to lend a helping hand and it brings me joy to see

others succeed.

Having diabetes was something I once thought of as a hindrance, until I changed my

perspective. I now see diabetes as an outlet to advise others who struggle with implementing a

lifestyle change. I chose to focus on the selected internships because because my devotion to

assisting people is genuine and there is nothing more in the world I want to do. I have been

studying nutrition and dietetics for almost ten years and that same passion has never diminished.

Over those 10 years I have earned high grades, volunteered at many events to promote wellness

in the San Diego community, supervised a food service business, and even gained clinical

nutrition experience by working in the hospital and volunteering in the diabetes education center.

I am interested in these internship because it is very community and health promotion focused

and offer various clinical practices. I would be the ideal candidate for this internship because I

have the unique ability to empathize with people which builds better rapport. Having diabetes

and my previous knowledge of communities from my public health minor gives me an

advantage. I believe empathy is what sets apart ordinary healthcare professionals from

extraordinary. I will be the medical professional who will encourages my clients and inform

them using sound evidence based advice. I will be a dietitian who is authentic, trustworthy, and

one who leads by example because I too have to conquer my own health challenges.

Having diabetes has truly opened my eyes to how I could improve the lives of others who

are affected with this disease. Last year, I joined diabetes educators and endocrinologists at the

State Capitol to address assembly members of the importance of Continuous Glucose Monitors

(CGM). Currently CGMs are not a covered benefit by Medi-Cal and I voiced my concerns and

the benefits they provide. This experience reinforced my passion for advocating for better health
outcomes. Because of this, I applied and was accepted into a master’s of public health program

with an emphasis in health promotion and education. Once I finish my MPH, my internship and

pass my board exam I plan to specialize in diabetes education and work as a Public Health

dietitian in underserved populations. My career goal would be to start a grass roots health

initiative in my local community. And finally, with my knowledge and experience, I would like

to expand that community goal and become a policy writer so I can continue to advocate for

those who deserve better health outcomes and assist a grander population in behavior change.