Students and alumni of the Dietetic Technology (DT) Program at Paradise Valley Community college have some outstanding success stories from passing the Dietetic Technician (DTR) exam, awards/scholarships, job placement/promotions and continuing education. Some PVCC DT students are getting jobs prior to graduation.
Congratulations to:
- Becky Jacobs, who received the 2012 Outstanding Dietetics Student Award from the Academy of Nutrition & Dietetics. She is employed as Nutrition Rep at Banner Estrella.
- Renee Barone, BS DTR, 2012 Recognized Dietetic Technician of the Year (RTDY), American Dietetic Association, and first PVCC Alumni to graduate with a 4-year degree in Dietetics from the University of Medicine& Dentistry in New Jersey (UMDNJ) Her education was paid for by Plaza Healthcare, where she has worked since she interned there as a PVCC student four years ago. She will be the first Registered Dietitian (RD) ever employed at Plaza Healthcare once she completes the degree and passes the national RD exam.
- Elaine Cummings, DTR, CDM, CFPP, a 2011 PVCC graduate, has accepted the Dietary Manager position in Jefferson City, Mo., at a Lutheran Senior Services Facility. She passed the Certified Dietary Mgr. (CDM) and Certified Food Protection Professional (CFPP) exam in addition to the DTR exam. These are two additional credentials our graduates can earn from the AAS degree in Dietetic Technology.
- Current PVCC student Stacy Urbanski was awarded a $10,000 educational scholarship from the Talbots Foundation, which she attributes to her iGoal assignment in FON125, where she set her goal to graduate from college with no debt. This led her to explore scholarships on PVCC’s website and applying for the Talbots Foundation Scholarship.
- 2011 graduate Sara Burrage, DTR, is employed full-time as a Clinical DTR at Mayo Clinic Hospital. She also was just accepted into UMDNJ’s 4 year Dietetics Program. Mayo provides tuition reimbursement.
- Melissa Groen, BS, DTR, completed practicum experience in Community Nutrition at Mayo Clinic Hospital, where she developed a Farmer’s Market, and is now their fulltime Health & Wellness Coordinator. The new position was created for her.
- PVCC DT Program Assistant Pam Hankins, DTR, works part-time at Banner Good Samaritan and is a Lab Assistant for FON142AB & FON246AB,
- Lisa Dart, DTR, is employed at Banner Thunderbird.
- Jackie Quetschenbach, DTR, is the CBORD Administrator at St. Joseph’s Hospital & Medical Center. CBORD is a nutrition analysis/project software company. She interned at St. Joe’s prior to graduation, then worked there as a Clinical DTR in addition to a DTR position at Rosewood Ranch Eating Disorder & Treatment Center.
- Monique Mueller, DTR, is a Diet Rep. at Banner Baywood Hospital.
- Mary Elliot, DTR, and Candice Manasse, DTR, are now employed at St. Joseph?s Hospital & Medical Center.
- Marianne Rabasca, DTR, who was a PVCC Lab Assistant for FON142AB,is now employed at Mayo Clinic Hospital.
- Kelsey Burman, DTR, is continuing her education at a California physical therapy school and is now a DTR and Licensed Physical Therapist.
- Teresa Mizusawa completed her final two practicum classes via distance learning in North Carolina. The site was set up for her so she could be with her husband who was in the military and returning to North Carolina from Afghanistan. She graduated in Dec. 2011 and is employed at Carolina East Medical Center.
- 2012 graduate Sheryl Shepard is now employed at Chris Ridge as a Clinical DT.
- Julie Shinbaum, DTR, is now employed at Mayo Clinic Hospital.
- Kate Knoell, DTR, worked at Plaza Healthcare following graduation, then at Banner Thunderbird as Clinical DTR. She has been promoted to Culinary Supervisor.
- Debi Neufeld, DTR, employed part-time at Banner Good Samaritan Hospital while a student and now is working fulltime.
- Rebecca Sinclair, DTR, is employed at Banner Thunderbird Hospital.
- Suzi Perlman has been accepted into ASU’s Dietetics Program.
- Angela Schutsky, DTR, who served as ADA Student Liaison, has passed the DTR exam.
- Carol Carr graduated from ASU in Dietetics. She did her RD Internship through the Armed Services at Baylor University.
- Amy Fessenden, DTR, who was a Food Service Director at Peoria Good Shepherd Retirement Center, accepted a new position as Clinical DTR at Coronado Healthcare Center.
- Cynthia Murphy, DTR, works for Nutrition Banner Boswell and Nutrition Alliance.
- Cory Rade passed DTR exam and works as a personal trainer/DTR for the YMCA.