James J. Peters Bronx VA Medical Center
Dear Prospective Applicant,
We are delighted to welcome you to the James J. Peters VA Medical Center (JJPVAMC) Dietetic Internship (DI) Program website. Thank you for your interest in our program. Whether you are just beginning your research or preparing your Dietetics Inclusive Centralized Application Service (DICAS) application, we hope this information will provide you comprehensive answers to your questions regarding our program.
Since 1946, the JJPVAMC DI Program has been proud to educate and mentor future leaders in nutrition and dietetics and maintains full accreditation with the Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics (ACEND).Our program offers both a 16-month Master of Science/Dietetic Internship (MS/DI) option, as well as a focused 11-month stand-alone DI option. Both options include an 11-month (47-week) supervised practice component emphasizing Medical Nutrition Therapy (MNT). The MS/DI option collaborates with New York University (NYU) for a Master of Science in Clinical Nutrition degree. More details about the application process and our unique program features can be found on our "Application Information" page. All applicants must submit their applications via DICAS.
The JJPVAMC DI is pleased to offer a paid stipend for Dietetic Interns funded by the Office of Academic Affiliations (OAA), during the supervised practice component. Upon successfully complete all program requirements, interns will receive an 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 prior master's degree, the VS is provided upon completing the supervised practice component, while MS/DI candidates receive their VS after completing the supervised practice component and upon MS degree conferral from NYU.
As a tertiary care medical center, JJPVAMC is distinguished by its comprehensive range of inpatient and outpatient services, robust educational programs across medical and allied health disciplines, and an unwavering commitment to advancing Veteran care. Our Nutrition and Food Service (NFS) department offers broad and innovative nutritional care--including clinical expertise, group and individual counseling sessions, educational programs and a remarkable Room Service dining experience that empowers Veterans with the choice and individualized nutrition guidance.
Our internship program is hospital-based, with approximately 75% of supervised practice dedicated to clinical rotations in both inpatient and outpatient settings. The remainder of the training experience will exposure you to food service management, community programming, entrepreneurship in pediatrics, and private practice. While the majority of our patients population consists of male adults, and exposure to women's and pediatric health may be limited, we continue to expand these services and have welcomed a new women's health rotation at the Brooklyn VA. Regardless of your envisioned path within dietetics, a strong foundation in clinical judgement and Medical Nutrition Therapy is essential, and our program is designed to foster these core skills.
If you are interested in applying or have additional questions, please contact the Dietetic Internship Director, Verzhine Owens, at Verzhine.Owens@va.gov.
We wish you the best of luck on your journey to becoming a Registered Dietitian.
Sincerely,
Verzhine V. Owens, MS, RDN, CDN, CDCES
Dietetic Internship Director
Nutrition & Food Service (NFS) (120)
James J. Peters VA Medical Center
130 West Kingsbridge Road
Bronx, NY 10468
Verzhine.Owens@va.gov (preferred)
(718) 584-9000 ext. 6845
Just Announced!
Open House Dates and Program Flyer
- 10/16/2026, 1-3 pm, Est. (Virtual)
- 11/13/2026, 11 am- 1 pm, Est. (In-person)
- 12/11/2026, 11 am-1 pm, Est. (Virtual)
Register 1 week prior to date at https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/NVWXTZZ
Page Updated: May 2026
