The Evolving Landscape of Nutrition and Dietetics
Nutrition and healthcare are inextricably linked, and those working in the intersection of both have a lot of insight into its evolving landscape. In the field of dietetics specifically, the career itself has grown from “dietitian” to “registered dietitian,” and, coming in 2024, there will now be a master’s degree requirement to take the registration exam. The Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics has raised what entry-level means in an effort to drive up compensation and improve the value of RDs.
In the latest episode of the Sodexo Healthcare podcast Powering Human Care, we talk to Dr. Claudia Sealey-Potts, Director of the Doctorate in Clinical Nutrition program at the University of Texas Medical Branch. An esteemed leader in the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, Dr. Sealey-Potts talks about her journey from her roots in Trinidad and Tobago to becoming a trailblazer in boosting the dietitian workforce.
In the second segment of the podcast, we talk to Dr. Jen Arts-Salvatore, Director of the Master's in Dietetics Online Program at the University of Rhode Island, who delves into dietetics education and the crucial role it plays in the future of healthcare and the challenges and opportunities facing registered dietitians as they navigate a changing industry.
Other topics covered in this information-filled conversation include:
- Workforce enrollment challenges
- The need for partnerships to reduce silos, allowing students to have access to internships and more secure job placement after graduation
- Challenges of the massive U.S. healthcare and the competition for resources
For healthcare enthusiasts and aspiring dietitians alike, this episode is a must-listen for anyone passionate about the intersection of nutrition and healthcare.