Sarah Grace Hayward (left) and Danielle Barsky (right), two current students in the Dietitian Nutritionist Program at the School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences.
The Dietitian Nutritionist (DN) Program offers an entry point for students who obtained a bachelor’s degree from a Didactic Program in Dietetics (DPD) at another accredited institution prior to coming to SHRS, allowing them to then obtain a Master of Science degree through Pitt’s DN Program. These students will complete two years in the DN Program, fulfilling 60 credits as opposed to the traditional three-year program for the other program entry points. While completing the two years of courses, all students complete supervised experiential learning which is divided into three major rotations: Community and Public Health Nutrition, Food Service Management and Clinical.
Read more to learn about Sarah Grace Hayward and Danielle Barsky--two students who utilized the DPD entry point in Pitt’s DN Program.
Sarah Grace Hayward (DN ‘2024)
Fun Fact: I’m originally from Michigan and went to Michigan State for undergrad!
Choosing the DN Program: I knew early on that I wanted to study nutrition and become a dietitian. I grew up with several family members who struggled with nutrition-related health problems, and I played sports growing up, both of which sparked my interest in how food affects the body and affects different people in different ways.
Typical Day as a DN Program Student: Right now, I spend most of my days at Shadyside Hospital where I work with a dietitian everyday learning about different types of patients and health conditions, and visiting patients in the hospital to talk about various nutrition needs and topics. I have also spent a couple weeks in other settings such as community food banks, long-term care facilities like nursing homes or with nutrition support teams through University of Pittsburgh Medical Center. It’s exhausting but I am learning so much!
Favorite Course: My favorite course was either Functional Nutrition or Advanced Maternal and Pediatric Nutrition. I think Functional Nutrition really harnesses the innate power of food to heal the body. As an expecting mom, Advanced Maternal and Pediatric Nutrition provided a lot of helpful and fascinating information that I know I can apply in my own personal life.
Experience with Faculty: Faculty and student interactions vary by year. Every student is paired with a faculty mentor, and they are always available to answer questions and give advice when needed. I appreciate the small class sizes and how my classmates and I were able to get to know each other so well!
Experience in Pittsburgh: It’s the perfect size city! Big enough to have lots going on and lots to do. I also love how many parks and green spaces you can find in the city.
Plans After Graduation: My first plan after graduating and passing the Registered Dietitian (RD) board exam is to give birth to my first baby in June! After that, I’ll look for a part time job, hopefully in an outpatient or nutrition counseling setting, so I can utilize my degree but also spend time with my future son.
Danielle Barsky (DN ‘2024)
Fun Fact: I am fluent in Spanish!
Experiential Learning Experience: It’s very busy interning full-time, but it’s been an invaluable experience because I’ve gained exposure to many different career paths. Everyone interns at a site focusing on community nutrition and works with populations related to community nutrition, such as volunteering at childcare centers, the food bank or working with the homeless population. We also have a food service management rotation for a few weeks at a local hospital, which was interesting because we learned what happens behind the scenes in the kitchen. Our clinical rotation hours are completed at the same site but focus on a different perspective of dietetics that allows us to directly provide medical nutrition therapy to several patient populations with varying disease states.
Favorite Course: My favorite course has been Functional Nutrition because I loved applying what we learned during lab and cooking with my classmates. I thought the lectures were interesting because they introduced topics that weren’t discussed much in my undergraduate classes. The course also didn’t include exams, so it was refreshing to learn without the extra pressure. It was so much fun to cook unique recipes in a relaxing environment and enjoy them with everyone!
Experience with Faculty: Since the cohorts are small, it’s easy to establish close relationships with faculty, and I’ve learned so much from all of them. When students first join the program, they are assigned to a faculty mentor and meet with them at least once each semester to catch up or ask questions. When I first joined, this made me feel more comfortable as my mentor was very approachable and welcoming. All faculty in the program are kind, knowledgeable and understanding. It’s evident that they truly want students to succeed, and they are always willing to meet outside of class. The faculty’s dedication to the field and students combined with their warm personalities are one of my favorite parts of this program.
Experience in Pittsburgh: My favorite thing about living in Pittsburgh is exploring different neighborhoods. Pittsburgh is very unique compared to other northeastern cities and I think it’s cool that each area has its own “personality” with many fun things to do. I’ve enjoyed trying new places and experiences in all of them!
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Read more about the Dietitian Nutritionist Program on our website or contact an enrollment specialist at enroll@shrs.pitt.edu today!