SUZANNE WELDON
ENDOCRINOLOGY & OUTPATIENT
for something nutrishus
It would seem that Suzanne was always meant to work in diabetes. Like others (myself included), she decided to pursue dietetics based on an introduction to nutrition course.
Why did you become a RD?
My passion for nutrition & diabetes education goes way back. I was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes at age three. I had a fantastic diabetes care team and was first introduced to an RD there. My family & I learned early on that proper nutrition was vital for my health. I originally started off as a genetics major in college, with the anticipation of doing diabetes research. I quickly decided I’d rather work with people over … well… rats. I took my first nutrition 101 course & fell in love with the field with the understanding I could also do diabetes education.
What area of dietetics do you work in?
Endocrinology & general outpatient nutrition.
How would you explain what you do?
I teach the importance of nutrition & meal planning based on a client’s individual needs. I additionally teach diabetes self-management training to those with pre-diabetes & diabetes.
What are your ‘typical’ daily/weekly tasks?
I commute three days a week to “the big city” & work in an outpatient endocrinology clinic providing nutrition education for related endocrine disorders & also provide diabetes education. I enjoy the variety of the diabetes education because I also train patients on pumps, continuous glucose monitor, insulin therapy, & blood glucose meters. Additionally, I work once a week in my own “small town” private practice providing the same type of education. I’m also the diabetes resource person for our small town diabetes education support group with meetings held monthly. The rest of my time is spent with my husband & two girls.
What has been your career path?
I went to Texas A&M University for my bachelors of science in nutritional science. I then worked at WIC (Women, Infants, and Children) as a nutritionist/supervisor for a few months & then headed on to my dietetic internship at Texas Health Presbyterian Hospital of Dallas. From there I’ve worked in a few different diabetes centers & endocrinology clinics. Now I’m doing private practice, the endocrinology clinic, & am a PRN certified pump trainer for Omnipod.
What advanced education or special training do you have?
- CDE- Certified Diabetes Educator
- CPT – Certified Pump Trainer
More nutrition services covered by insurance especially for preventative medicine purposes.
What would you like people to know about RDs?
We (RDs) are here to help, not harm. Too often do my clients feel as if I’m judging them. And then I tell them I just ate a cookie too. Or I mention that I understand what it’s like to be a human pin cushion having diabetes as well.
What makes RDs unique/different from other nutrition/wellness professionals?
We have very rigorous training in nutrition & dietetics with a university degree & 1000+hour dietetic internship. Some of us have additional credentials, masters or even PhD’s. We are knowledgeable in weeding out fact from fiction regarding nutrition. We are THE nutrition experts.
More about Suzanne:
Facebook: Weldon Nutrition & Diabetes Centre
