I am aspiring to become a clinician in a field that addresses one of the most pressing issues in the United States: nutrition. There is an epidemic of chrionic nutrition related diseases that can be attributed to many different etiologies. There are many social determinants of health that impact an individual's access and ability to eat healthy food. I want to become a dietitian to help address those social determinants and educate policymakers, so they know the impact their support can have on overall health outcomes. I have served as my university representative on the Utah Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics and have seen the current lack of advocacy in our local government in areas relating to nutrition. I want to be outspoken and start conversations regarding policy in my career. This is important to me and to this field because it applies to everyone, all people eat and all people deserve access to healthy and nutritious food. There needs to be passionate individuals willing to engage in legislative decisions because if there are not people in those rooms, decisions will be made without expert opinion. Nutrition professionals have so much knowledge and education to add to a conversation. In my educational experience, I have learned the scientific pathways and evidence based practices that are effective in combating health issues. I am eager and excited to continue forward into my Master's program to complete my education. This new requirement of Registered Dietitians to complete a master's program gives us an opportunity to increase our educational reservoir to address these social issues within our workplaces and in the community. By taking advantage of leadership opportunities in my undergraduate expereince I am honing my skills to be an effective voice in my career. I have served on the Utah State University Student Association as the Executive Vice President. In this role as the Chair of the student fee board, we approved additional funding to support the Student Nutrition Access Center (SNAC), the student food pantry on campus, to address student hunger. The impact leadership has in a university setting is powerful, but I want to take this experience and apply it to my future. Through education and volunteerism, I want to make a difference and address malnutrition and chronic illness. I have taken my education very seriously and am taking opportunities to become the best clinician I can be. I am committed to honing my personal and leadership skills to advocate and be a voice in nutrition.

I have participated in a study abroad centered around the Mediterranean Diet in Crete, Greece. Through this experience, I learned about the practical application of the proven gold-standard diet to reduce the risk of chronic diseases and chronic inflammation. I want to apply this knowledge to my future practice by removing barriers to healthy eating through education, resources, and guidance. Chronic disease and metabolic disorders are at an all-time high in this country. The best intervention and prevention strategy is nutrition education. This form of preventative healthcare helps families to live more functional lives and contribute to their communities. I want to use evidence-based medical nutrition therapy to help those looking to adjust their diets in an effective and realistic way. I want to help people heal and have a healthy relationship with food and their bodies. I truly believe there is a strong connection between mental health and nutrition, and this goes both ways. Mental health impacts an individual's ability to have a positive and healthy relationship with food. Nutrition impacts mental health and functioning in a significant way and can enhance or inhibit mental processes. In my University capstone project, I led a farmers' market-based initiative to educate community members on the Mediterranean diet. With live, in-person demonstrations using the fresh produce found at the market, I was able to connect with community members and give them the tools to feed themselves well. This strategy proved how guided intervention can help those at-risk populations like the elderly and low-income individuals become more comfortable and empowered to eat healthy. These populations are also at a higher risk for chronic disease, meaning they are at an increased need for intervention. These types of chronic conditions put a large strain on the patients impacted and the healthcare system in general. I want to become a dietitian to continue to help relieve the stress of patients and help physicians heal their patients with an effective diet and nutrition. With increasingly confusing messaging from social media and marketing tactics, I want to be informed and educated as a professional. I want to help explain topics and debunk nutrition misinformation that may cause frustration and harm to patients. Through my personal experience, drive, motivation, and investment in continual education, I believe I can make a significant impact in the metabolic disease crisis. Nutrition can be a powerful too and I am excited to make an impact in this field.