What RDs Do: Vanessa Yurchesyn, RD, CFE, MBA (candidate)

VANESSA YURCHESYN

ACCOUNT MANAGER

COMPLETE PURCHASING SERVICES INC
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Vanessa was excited about the opportunity to share her non-traditional role, especially since she loves the work that she does. Her passion also fits very well with the purpose of this series. She is 1 of 3 dietitians on Complete Purchasing Services's national account management team with the President Brian Emmerton and one of the VPs, Cristina Dee-Ong.

Why did you become a RD?

First and foremost, I love food! I job shadowed dietitians in a few practice areas in high school, and the diversity of the profession was something that I was attracted to – I knew that I would always be inspired to try something new!

What area of dietetics do you work in?

Business & Industry

How would you explain what you do?

I am an Account Manager with Complete Purchasing Services (a Group Purchasing Organization and a division of Aramark). I am responsible for servicing and developing the Complete Purchasing Services primary market (mainly senior living facilities) in Nova Scotia. We provide best value pricing on products and services utilizing the combined purchasing power of Aramark and our client locations.

What are your ‘typical’ daily/weekly tasks?

I manage our Nova Scotia account base, which is mainly senior living facilities but also includes schools, child care centres, social enterprises and camps. I work closely with our distributor, manufacturer and supplier partners in the industry to assist our clients in maximizing the overall benefits derived from a CPS membership. In an ever-evolving business environment, I must keep up-to-date with client and industry issues and requirements. We offer a number of core operational tools and resources from menu programs to ordering platforms and educational events, so I promote these value-added services to our members. I am also responsible for growing our business, which is fun and motivates me every day!

What has been your career path?

When I completed my internship in 2011, I took a 1 year contract with Shannex as Manager of Support Services (Foodservices, Housekeeping and Laundry) at a long term care facility in Halifax, NS. I then worked part time as a clinical dietitian at two long term care facilities in Saint John, NB while starting a consulting business ‘All Foods Fit Nutrition Consulting’ where I did workplace wellness programs, individual consultations and media work. In May of 2014, I started with Loblaw Companies Ltd as a retail dietitian and worked for 2.5 years providing nutrition services to five Atlantic Superstore locations in New Brunswick. This brings me to my current role as Account Manager with Complete Purchasing Services. January 2018 will mark five years of being a Registered Dietitian!

What advanced education or special training do you have?

I am currently completing a Master of Business Administration (MBA) with a specialty track in Innovation Leadership at the University of Fredericton Sandermoen School of Business. I will graduate in the Spring of 2019.

In an ideal world, what does the industry look like 5 years from now?

Consumers don’t worry about the food that they eat, food is increasingly treated as medicine by everyone including food companies, and dietitians are known to all as food lovers not food police.

What are you passionate about in dietetics?

I am passionate about celebrating the diversity within the dietetics profession. I love sharing my non-traditional career path with students and interns, as well as seasoned dietitians. I enjoy experimenting with and learning about how a dietitian’s skill set can put them in positions that were never imagined.

What is your favourite meal?

Of course, the answer depends on the season! In the Spring/Summer, I love fish tacos with grilled fish, a mango/cucumber salsa and red cabbage slaw. In the Fall/Winter, I enjoy a hearty beef stew over creamy mashed potatoes. Crème brulee or anything with chocolate are my favorites desserts.

What tip(s) would you give to our readers?

Life is too short – we should be able to enjoy what we eat and drink. With that said, practicing mindfulness and being active every day are just as important!

More about Vanessa:

Email: yurchesyn-vanessa@aramark.ca
Instagram: @allfoodsfitrd
Facebook: Vanessa Yurchesyn
Complete Purchasing Services: www.ecps.ca

Thanks Vanessa! Find out more about What RDs Do.

If you're a dietitian that would like to be featured, email me for the details!

What RDs Do: Jorie Janzen RD, IOC Dipl Sports Nutr, CSSD, CCF

JORIE JANZEN
DIRECTOR OF SPORT DIETETICS

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I know and have met Jorie in person (she is a human after all!). I filled a maternity leave and consult for the Canadian Sport Centre Saskatchewan, the province next to hers. She wasn't there when I played, but I would have worked with her in Winnipeg with the Canadian Women's Indoor Volleyball Team as well. Jorie has been working and mentoring in the field for almost 15 years in the areas of nutrition for sport performance, disordered eating and eating disorders, and in corporate health and wellness. This interview is just another way for her to give back and support others.

Why did you become a RD?

Because I needed to pick something to go into! LOL! Seriously. I was in second year just taking courses. I started to freak out because I did not know what I was going to do with my life. I decided to use the University counselling services and dietetics came up. I had no idea what this involved, so took a couple of courses and thought, what the heck! I have to go into something. Nutrition seemed pretty cool…but I still had no idea what a dietitian did until internship.

What area of dietetics do you work in?

I currently work in sports dietetics as my full time area of practice as Director of Sport Dietetics at the Canadian Sport Centre-Manitoba. I also have a small private practice that includes workplace wellness and ED/DE (eating disorders/disordered eating) in athletes.

How would you explain what you do?

What do I do….always a question I ask myself! I think what I do is coach those willing to work with me in resolving a conflict they are having with themselves and food. Really, we as dietitians are conflict resolution specialists in our areas of expertise!

What are your ‘typical’ daily/weekly tasks?

As with many dietitians, what is typical is that there is no typical. If I have to somewhat narrow down typical tasks it would be connecting with my ISTs (interdisciplinary support teams) around the athletes we work with to ensure we are all doing what is needed to support athletes, coaches and at times parents/significant others. Sometimes there are the mechanical things to do such as nutrient analysis, developing and modifying meal plans, grocery store tours, cooking classes, hydration testing, body composition testing, connecting with my colleagues across the country, presenting to teachers, coaches, parents…and I do a ton of mentoring! I am a huge believer that there is room for all of us and if we build each other up we will all be stronger practitioners/service providers because of it.

What has been your career path? What advanced education or special training do you have?

I went to the University of Manitoba and got my BHEc (major Nutrition) and completed Health Sciences Centre Dietetic Internship program. I did not start out full time in sport. Out of internship I started working at two long-term care facilities and eventually moved to a larger facility. Then, an amazing opportunity came up with the WRHA Surgery Prehabilitation Program where I worked with an amazing team of professionals getting patients healthy for hip/knee replacement surgery. All the while I kept a private practice on the side taking on team sport nutrition presentations for provincial teams, Canada Games preperations, coach workshops as well as co-chairing the DC SNN, sitting on the executive board for Sport Medicine and Science Council Manitoba and started the Manitoba Sport Nutrition Network.

I then completed the IOC Diploma in Sports Nutrition. Next up, my current position as Director of Sports Dietetics with the Canadian Sport Centre-Manitoba. As well I have added the CSSD (Board Certified Specialist in Sports Dietetics) credential. I also did the ISAK Level 1 certification, but do need to take the course again to renew. I also attended several leadership workshops as well as one of my favourites for working with and dealing with clients; Molley Kellogg’s Intensive Motivational Interviewing course and became a Life Coach through the Certified Coaches Federation certification.

In an ideal world, what does the industry look like 5 years from now?

Wow. This is such a massive and possibly loaded question and I could likely fill pages upon pages around this one question. Working in sport I have experienced great joys and achievements and great sadness and failures. I will try to keep this to the point and positive with my hopes. In an ideal world, I would hope that the area of sports nutrition is seen as vital as any other area RDs practice. I hope that dietetic programs and internship programs start to value and provide higher-level education and practicum opportunities. Right now there is ONE course in the faculty devoted to sports nutrition at the University of Manitoba. I only get 2 interns a year for 3-weeks to mentor! And the reason is that interns need to gain experience in clinical or out patient or rural areas. Guess what?! A sports dietitian can easily provide such opportunities! Dietitians who work in sport deal with rehabilitation (concussion, surgery, other injuries), eating disorders and disordered eating, food intolerances and allergies, hematological issues, dietary restrictions or changes and so much more!

In five years I hope that the dietetic education programs has a greater respect for this area of practice. In five years I hope that sport medicine clinics, college and university sport programs and other organizations working with athletes see the value of having a sports dietitian as part of the full time staff/program.

What misinformation about RDs would you like to clear up?

In the area of sports nutrition, I would like to clear up that we do not work with only healthy and motivated people. We work with human beings who happen to be athletes, dancers, or performers. These are human beings who are often very high achievers and need support from us. They fall prey to the same misinformation as the rest of the world because…they are human.

What would you like people to know about RDs?

Working in sport or working in research or in a clinical setting, we do amazing work every single day! We counsel, motivate, inspire and even save lives! We clear up myths vs. facts. We are also very human….my most favorite part!

What do people think that you do for a living?

I tell people what to eat. Others seem to think I can provide medical advice or diagnose ailments. The latter makes me laugh!

What are you passionate about in dietetics?

I am extremely passionate about clearing up false information and normalizing food. I love making fun of what people think we do! Gotta have fun with it!

What makes RDs unique/different from other nutrition/wellness professionals? 

Well, for one, we are regulated and accountable to a regulatory body. So, we have to be evidence based. And, generally, RDs are not all about the black and white way of eating. Every time I give a talk or meet with a client they feel relieved to not be judged.

What is your favourite meal? 

I love Thai and Indian food. But I always look forward to dessert.

What tip(s) would you give to our readers?

No matter what area you choose to practice in, always surround yourself with other professionals who can support you and you support them – not just other RDs but other professionals. I have found that when you give, there will always be others waiting to give back.

Anything else you’d like to add that you feel would be valuable:

Even though I do strongly feel that there is much growth to be done in sports nutrition practice in Canada…I always try to make the grass greener on my side! Life is more enjoyable that way!

More about Jorie:

Website: Jorie Janzen
Website: Canadian Sport Centre Manitoba
Twitter: @jjjanzen
Instagram: @joriejanzen

Thanks Jorie! Find out more about What RDs Do.

If you're a dietitian that would like to be featured, email me for the details!

What RDs Do: What RDs Do: Judith Scharman Draughon, MS, RDN, LD

JUDITH SCHARMAN DRAUGHON
FOODS WITH JUDES &
LEAN BODY, SMART LIFE

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It's always great to meet dietitians via other dietitians. Judith (AKA Judes) was referred by interviewee Krista Ulatowski. She's a client of Krista's and went from supermarket RDN to corporate wellness RDN to now author RDN. Her career hasn't followed a straight line, but her experiences have helped her create a unique position and business.

Why did you become a RD? 

I was always interested in nutrition from my junior high track days through high school days as I learned to balance my eating habits. 

What area of dietetics do you work in? 

Wellness

How would you explain what you do? 

I help people sort through the massive amounts of nutrition information to know what to eat that fits into their lifestyle. 

What are your ‘typical’ daily/weekly tasks? 

I motivate groups of people to make healthier choices through presentations and seminars. I also create recipes or find products that are healthy, easy, fast and delicious! 

What has been your career path? 

My first job was a clinical dietitian at a hospital. Then I became an outpatient dietitian for a hospital. After my first child was born, I wrote a book about healthy food shopping and launched a supermarket tour business that I led for a few years until I moved to the Middle East for four years. I was fortunate in that I had the opportunity to travel extensively throughout the world while raising my children. 

Upon returning to the States, I worked with parents to create a health-promoting environment for their children and teens. I even hold a patent for a children’s nutrition educational tool! During this time, I also taught nutrition and healthy cooking at a culinary institute. In 2013, I continued teaching at the culinary institute but started a private practice with an emphasis on corporate wellness. I helped employees to live healthier lives in a group setting through presentations and seminars. I also worked with CEOs of companies to improve their health despite their hectic traveling schedules. That was a good fit for me given I led a busy life filled with travel, too. 

In an attempt to help these employees and clients, I narrowed down the scientific findings to the twelve most important things, or “fixes,” they could make to improve their weight and health. These twelve “fixes” became the base of my new book, “Lean Body Smart Life: 12-Fix Plan to a Leaner, Healthier, Happier Life.” The book is chock-full of tangible ways to actually apply these 12 fixes to people’s busy lives. It includes shopping advice, cooking formulas and 36 educational videos. It will soon have an accompanying app to help track the fixes you are working on. I also have a Lean Body, Smart Life RDN Affiliate Program, so dietitians can use my book and presentations to open up doors to help more groups, organization and clients.

Since becoming an author, I primarily speak to groups across the country and spread my message of ways to make small changes that make a big impact on your health over time. I love helping people feel better!

What advanced education or special training do you have? 

I have a bachelor of science degree in medical dietetics and a masters of science in health education. I regularly attend conferences where the leading researchers are presenting from around the world. I also have an advanced certificate of training in adult weight management and another in pediatric weight management from the Academy of Nutrition & Dietetics. 

In an ideal world, what does the industry look like 5 years from now? 

A world with less nutrition misinformation and more sound nutritional information based on science being dispensed. 

What misinformation about RDs would you like to clear up? 

RDs are the nutrition experts!

What are challenges you encounter as a RD? 

RDs have degrees that are based on biochemistry so our ability to look at the whole health picture is more clear than those with less science education. Consequently, when those with less science-based education provide counseling, there is a lot of mistruth that is being applied to peoples’ diets that is counterproductive to long-term health. 

What do people think that you do for a living? 

Many people think I’m a cook. 

What are you passionate about in dietetics? 

Helping people know what to eat to make them feel better for years to come. 

What makes RDs unique/different from other nutrition/wellness professionals? 

Often RDs have more science-based education along with a broader scope of nutrition to fit scientific truth into the whole picture. 

What is your favourite meal? 

Grilled seafood and roasted vegetables or grilled seafood on a green salad. 

What tip(s) would you give to our readers? 

Connect with the groups, patients and clients you work with before you try to help them. Often it takes just a minute or two. By this I mean listen to what they need and where they are at in their lives. Then meet them there rather than deciding what they should do. 

More about Judith:

Website: Foods With Judes

Instagram: @foodswithjudes

Facebook: Foods With Judes

Twitter: @FoodsWithJudes

Pinterest: Foods With Judes

LinkedIn: Judith Scharman, MS, RDN, LD

Google+: Foods With Judes

Thanks Judes! Find out more about What RDs Do.

If you're a dietitian that would like to be featured, email me for the details!

What RDs Do: Nancy Clark MS, RD, CSSD

NANCY CLARK

SPORTS NUTRITIONIST & AUTHOR

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Like others, Nancy is a dietitian I have looked up to throughout my career; I feel honoured to include her in this series. She's a trailblazer in sport nutrition, that's for sure, and I'm sure she has seen a lot of positive changes throughout her career, although there are still many opportunities for sports dietitians to explore.

Why did you become a RD?

Having an interest in cooking and food, I chose to attend a college that offered a nutrition degree. At the time I graduated from college, “everyone” did an internship and then took the exam to become an RD. I followed the crowd, and became an RD so I would be qualified to help people learn more about nutrition. Becoming a sports dietitian was not even on my radar screen. In 1973, very few people were talking about how to fuel to win.

What area of dietetics do you work in?

As a sports dietitian, my niche is nutrition for sports and exercise. 

How would you explain what you do?

I work with a variety of sports-active people of all ages and athletic abilities, helping them win with good nutrition. A typical week might include teaching:

• a marathoner how to fuel well and set a personal record. 
• a wrestler to make weight healthfully.
• a triathlete to have enough energy to complete an Ironman. 
• a compulsive exerciser to transform exhaustive exercise into effective training that includes rest days and proper fueling. 
• an eating disordered high school athlete to find peace with food. 

What are your ‘typical’ daily/weekly tasks?

I counsel individual clients on three days a week. I generally present a workshop once a week to a club, team, or professional group; write a blog and/or an article, answer lots of emails, and work on projects. Never a dull moment!

What has been your career path?

I majored in Nutrition at Simmons College in Boston, completed my dietetic internship at Massachusetts General Hospital, worked for 5 years in clinical dietetics and nutrition education, and then went back to graduate school at Boston University, where I earned my masters in Nutrition with a focus on Exercise Physiology. My first job as a sports dietitian was at a sports medicine clinic, where I established myself as one of the nation’s first RDs to create a viable sports nutrition career. Part of my success was due to having written the best-selling Nancy Clark’s Sports Nutrition Guidebook, as well as being a co-leader of a sports nutrition workshop series offered nationwide to groups of health professions. I co-led the workshop with an exercise physiologist. Currently, this workshop is available online. Today, I now enjoy my successful private practice in the Boston-area, as well as sell my handouts and PowerPoint presentations to help other RDs who want to get more involved in this niche.

What advanced education or special training do you have?

In addition to my master’s degree, I have taken an exam that qualifies me as a board certified specialist in sports dietetics (CSSD).

In an ideal world, what does the industry look like 5 years from now?

Five years from now, sports dietitians will be consultants or employees of most professional sports teams, including baseball, basketball, hockey and football. Sports RDs will also work with athletes coming up through the ranks, starting in high schools, then colleges and sub-elite and recreational sports teams. This is a good time to become a sports dietitian!

What tip(s) would you give to our readers?

If you want more information on how to become a sports dietitian, spend time at www.SCANdpg.org. SCAN is the Sports and Cardiovascular Nutrition Dietary Practice Group of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics.

More about Nancy:

Website: www.NancyClarkRD.com
Workshop: Nutrition Sports Exercise CEUs
Twitter: @nclarkrd

Thanks Nancy! Find out more about What RDs Do.

If you're a dietitian that would like to be featured, email me for the details!