Bay Pines VA Healthcare System
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Dietetic Internship Program Overview
The Paul M. Russo Dietetic Internship at Bay Pines VA Healthcare System (BPVAHCS) is located in Bay Pines, Florida. The program specializes in Medical Nutrition Therapy and offers a variety of learning experiences designed to prepare you for a wide range of career opportunities in nutrition and dietetics.
Our program provides two pathways: a Master of Public Health/Dietetic Internship (MPH/DI) option and a Verification Statement only option. The MPH/DI option is offered through the University of South Florida (USF), enabling interns to concurrently complete a 42-credit hour Master of Public Health with a concentration in Nutrition and Dietetics over 24 months, along with a 47-week supervised practice experience.
For applicants who already hold a Master of Science in Nutrition (or a related field, with approval), we offer the Verification Statement only option, allowing them to complete the required supervised practice in a 47-week program.
When enrolled in the MPH/DI, interns will take a total of 18 credit hours at USF during the supervised practice academic year (August through July). Enrolling in USF for graduate school is a requirement of the integrated master's dietetic internship.
Once the supervised practice rotations and Master of Public Health are successfully completed, interns will receive their ACEND Verification Statement (VS) allowing them to sit for the Commission on Dietetics Registration (CDR) examination to become a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist (RDN). For interns with a completed master’s degree, they will receive their VS following the completion of the supervised practice portion of the DI.
Our 47-week internship program provides supervised practice and alternate practice experiences in clinical dietetics, food service and administration, and community nutrition. Some distinctive features that set our internship apart:
Preceptors: Our dedicated team of highly qualified dietitians fosters a supportive teaching environment that promotes education and evidence-based practice. With a small class size of only six interns, you’ll receive personalized focused mentorship from the internship director. Except for select administration and community rotations, each intern is paired with a single preceptor at a time, allowing maximum attention to your learning and development.
Curriculum: Our hospital-based program offers comprehensive rotations across various disciplines including general medicine (covering cardiology, neurology and oncology), surgery, nutrition support, geriatrics, rehabilitative medicine, outpatient counseling, diabetes, whole health, mental health, home based care and food service administration and management. These clinical experiences are supplemented with community-based opportunities working with diverse populations and cultures.
Enhanced job opportunities: We are committed to supporting your career placement, whether in the government or private sector. With approximately 170 VA Medical Centers across the country, you will have many opportunities to pursue positions within the VA system.
Stipend: All interns in our program receive a stipend, which is distributed throughout the 47-week supervised practice component of the internship.
Please consider these points carefully when ranking your program choices. If you have any questions or would like to schedule a visit to our medical center, please do not hesitate to contact me at sharon.hickman@va.gov.
All applicants must submit their applications through the Dietetic Internship Centralized Application System (DICAS) by the deadline of January 15, 2026. Applicants must also provide proof of verification of, or intent to complete, their Didactic Program in Dietetics (DPD). For those applicants applying to our program with an MS in Nutrition (or a related field), the graduate degree requirements must be completed by the start of the internship. Additional details about the application process can be found on the "Application Information" page.
Open House:
The Paul M. Russo Dietetic Internship will host two virtual open houses this fall. Join us online at noon (Eastern Time) on either Thursday October 9, 2025, or Wednesday December 3, 2025. Please RSVP to sharon.hickman@va.gov at least one week prior to your preferred date to receive a meeting link.
Accreditation:
The Paul M. Russo Dietetic Internship is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics (ACEND) of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics.
120 South Riverside Plaza, Suite 2190
Chicago, IL 60606-6995
Telephone: (800) 877-1600 ext. 5400
If you have any questions not addressed on our website, please feel free to contact the Internship Director:
Sharon Hickman, MPH, RDN, LD/N
Dietetic Internship Director
Bay Pines VAHCS
U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs
Office: (727) 398-6661, ext. 14449
sharon.hickman@va.gov
