Dietetic Internship Program
James J. Peters Bronx Veterans Affairs Medical Center
Dear Applicant,
Welcome to the James J. Peters VA Medical Center (JJPVAMC) Dietetic Internship (DI) website. We hope you will find the answers to all your questions about our program within these pages. The next DICAS match in Spring 2023 brings along several exciting updates to our program! We have updated our website to reflect all these changes.
The JJPVAMC DI was first established in 1946. We are accredited by the Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics (ACEND). Our program is a 16-month Master of Science/Dietetic Internship (MS/DI) Program which includes a 12-months (49-weeks) supervised practice experience with a concentration in Medical Nutrition Therapy (MNT). Our program combines with New York University (NYU) for a Master of Science in Clinical Nutrition degree.
All applicants must apply to our program through Dietetic Internship Centralized Application System (DICAS) by the deadline (usually February 15th). They must show proof of verification of/or intent to complete their Didactic Program in Dietetics (DPD). Applicants without a Master of Science in Clinical Nutrition degree must also apply to NYU by their deadline (usually February 1st) to be considered an applicant for our DI.
For the upcoming Spring 2023 match, a new program option will be available! Applicants with a DPD Verification Statement and a previously obtained Master of Science in Clinical Nutrition (or similar) will be able to, with approval, apply to our program through DICAS without the requirement of applying and completing their master's degree at NYU.
Dietetic Interns who do not already have their Master of Science in Clinical Nutrition will begin their studies at NYU and be required to complete a minimum of 19 graduate credits during the 49-week supervised practice portion of the DI. Dietetic Interns will move on to complete the final credits of their 34-credit masters in one additional full-time semester after the completion of their supervised practice. Once the supervised practice rotations and Master of Science in Clinical Nutrition are successfully completed, Dietetic Interns will receive their ACEND Verification Statement (VS) allowing them to sit for your Commission on Dietetics Registration (CDR) examination to become a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist (RDN). For Dietetic Interns with a completed Master’s Degree, they will receive their VS following the completion of the supervised practice portion of the DI. ALL applicants must also register online for computer matching through D & D Digital. Details about the application process may be found on the JJPVAMC DI "Application Information" page.
JJPVAMC DI is proud to offer Dietetic Interns a paid stipend for their training provided by The Office of Academic Affiliations (OAA) during their 49-weeks of supervised practice at the hospital. This stipend is paid in bi-weekly deposits to the Dietetic Intern. Applicants to our program must be U.S. Citizens to participate in our program and must be vaccinated against COVID-19.
The JJPVAMC is a tertiary care medical center that provides a broad range of inpatient and outpatient health care services. It is strategically affiliated with three of the premier academic medical institutions in New York City, including Mount Sinai School of Medicine, the Hospital for Special Surgery and Columbia School of Dentistry. JJPVAMC provides academic support for medical students, resident training programs, and additional allied health care training programs, as well as providing state-of-the-art medical expertise for our Veteran patients. Our Nutrition and Hospitality Service Center (N&HSC) provides exceptional nutritional care by its knowledgeable clinical nutrition staff, extensive outpatient counseling and education programs, and quality inpatient services. JJPVAMC is proud to have converted from the cook-chill food service model to room service in July 2020. This conversion has allowed Veterans the maximum choice in meal selection and delivery while fosters opportunities for dietitians and dietetic interns to educate Veterans on food choices aligned with their preferences and nutritional goals.
As a hospital-based DI, approximately three-fourths of the supervised practice are spent in clinical rotations (inpatient and outpatient), and the remaining time is spent in food service management, community, pediatrics and culinary nutrition rotations. Those interested in obtaining a DI at JJPVAMC must want to work primarily with adults, often male, as this is the primary demographic of our patients. While women’s health services are being enhanced at our facility, dietetic interns in our program should expect limited exposure to women and children, and little time in non-traditional rotations such as sports nutrition, private practice, etc. If non-traditional areas of practice and women and children are areas of interest, you might find that this DI is not a good fit for you.
If you are interested in applying to our program or have any further questions, please consider reaching out to the Dietetic Internship Director, Verzhine Owens. Email contact: verzhine.owens@va.gov.
Thank you for your interest in our program!
Sincerely,
Verzhine V. Owens, MS, RD, CDN, CDCES
Dietetic Internship Director
Nutrition and Hospitality Service Center (120)
James J. Peters VA Medical Center
130 West Kingsbridge Road
Bronx, NY 10468
Verzhine.Owens@va.gov (preferred)
(718) 584-9000 ext. 6845
Please note: This webpage has been updated in July 2022 to reflect new program updates approved by ACEND. Effective January 1, 2024, the Commission on Dietetic Registration (CDR) will require a minimum of a master’s degree to be eligible to take the credentialing exam to become a registered dietitian nutritionist (RDN). More information regarding this requirement can be found on the "Application Information" page.
