United States
U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs - Dietetic Internship
 

Louis Stokes Cleveland Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center
Coordinated Dietetic Internship/Master's Degree Program
Case Western Reserve University

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CDI/MDP Vision Statement

Graduates of the Coordinated Dietetic Internship/Master's Degree Program (CDI/MDP) will be prepared to begin professional practice with a background encompassing the breadth of the field of dietetics and with depth of knowledge in one or more emphases of their choice. They will be qualified as master's level, registered dietitians who will be expected to excel in entry level positions and to quickly achieve leadership status in their careers and in their involvement with professional and volunteer organizations. Graduates will have the ability to seek, assess, critique and apply information from many sources to accommodate current and future practice. They will have an appreciation of the history of the CDI/MDP and of the vision of the founders of the program and an awareness of the accomplishments of their predecessors who may be viewed as role models for professional development.


CDI/MDP Program Philosophy

  1. The combination of an internship with a master's degree provides the professional with a comprehensive background in core competencies for dietetic practice and areas of emphasis including nutrition therapy, foodservice systems management, community or general through integration of supervised practice experiences with graduate level course work.
  2. Breadth and depth of knowledge are fostered by exposure to large teaching hospitals with contrasting health care delivery systems and a private, research-oriented medical school.
  3. A unique variety of educational and social experiences are offered to the professional through a program that is located in a diverse academic and cultural environment.

CDI/MDP Expected Outcome

The CDI/MDP utilizes resources available from Case Western Reserve University, the Louis Stokes CVAMC, University Hospitals Case Medical Center and other sites to provide the most accurate and up-to-date information in all areas of dietetic practice. Upon completion of the CDI/MDP the graduate will:

  1. Have earned a Master of Science degree in Nutrition.
  2. Be well prepared to accept a position in nutrition therapy, foodservice systems management, community or general nutrition practice.
  3. Be expected to rapidly advance to higher levels of practice.
  4. Be capable of critically evaluating research and integrating the research process into clinical practice.
  5. Value the importance of participation in associations and networks, eventually seeking positions of leadership in the profession of dietetics.

CDI/MDP Program Goals

  1. To develop in students the core competencies to practice effectively as entry-level dietitians and to offer emphases in nutrition therapy, foodservice systems management, community or general nutrition practice.
  2. To prepare graduates to rapidly advance to higher levels of practice.
  3. To instill in students the ability to continually review scientific literature and to apply the information in the practice setting.
  4. To prepare graduates to be knowledgeable in the processes for conducting research.
  5. To foster in students an appreciation of the profession which includes valuing the importance of participation in associations and networks and encourages attainment of positions of leadership.

LSCVAMC Dietetic Internship Program Goals

  1. The Louis Stokes Cleveland VA Medical Center's Dietetic Internship Program will prepare graduates to begin professional practice as competent, entry-level Registered Dietitians employed in community practice, food service systems management and/or nutrition therapy by government, public or private sectors.
  2. The Program will demonstrate the need for life-long learning and will enhance the professional development of Veterans Health Administration (VHA) personnel as a result of the student-teacher relationship, recruitment of graduates and educational programming.
  3. The Program will demonstrate flexibility to students by offering them an opportunity to complete a rotation in an area of special interest.

LSCVAMC Dietetic Internship Program Student Learning Outcomes

  1. Students will demonstrate the ability to communicate effectively.
  2. Students will learn to provide comprehensive nutrition care for patients based on assessment of nutritional risk and in accordance with nutrition care protocols in a variety of settings, e.g. acute care, ambulatory care.
  3. Students will demonstrate the ability to counsel patients, individually and in groups, regarding dietary intervention for health promotion and disease prevention.
  4. Students will demonstrate the ability to use a variety of techniques and tools to effectively manage foodservice systems.
  5. Students will demonstrate an understanding of the process of conducting research.

Note: The Mission and Goals will be revised as the program transitions to the 2008 Eligibility Requirements and Accreditation Standards published in March 2008 by the Commission on Accreditation for Dietetics Education.