If awarded the opportunity to educate and assist patients and their families on improving their quantity and quality of life through nutritional choices, I would approach it with a holistic, evidence-based, and compassionate strategy. Here's how I would structure this process: 1. Personalized Nutrition Education Assessment of Current Diet: I would start by understanding each patient’s current dietary habits and lifestyle, taking into account their specific medical conditions, cultural preferences, food allergies, and personal goals. Customized Nutritional Plans: Based on peer-reviewed research, I would provide tailored dietary recommendations that align with the latest evidence on disease prevention and management. For example: Cancer: Focus on a diet rich in antioxidants, fiber, and anti-inflammatory foods while limiting processed foods, red meat, and alcohol. Heart Disease: Promote heart-healthy fats (e.g., omega-3 fatty acids), reduce sodium intake, and encourage high-fiber foods like fruits, vegetables, and whole grains. Autoimmune Disorders: Suggest anti-inflammatory diets like the Mediterranean diet or specific elimination diets that may help alleviate symptoms. Practical Meal Planning: I would help patients plan easy-to-prepare meals using whole, nutrient-dense foods. This could include recipes and cooking tips, ensuring that patients and their families feel empowered to make informed decisions about what they eat. 2. Interactive Learning & Support Workshops & Classes: Offering educational workshops on the role of nutrition in chronic disease prevention and management. These could include topics like understanding food labels, portion control, and the impact of sugar and processed foods on health. Family Involvement: I would emphasize the importance of involving the family in dietary changes. Educating not only the patient but also their loved ones would ensure that the entire household embraces healthier eating patterns. I’d provide tips for meal planning that fit everyone's needs. Digital Tools: Encourage the use of apps or online platforms that track nutritional intake, help with grocery shopping, or even provide simple meal ideas based on the family’s preferences and health goals. 3. Behavioral Support Goal-Setting and Motivation: Helping patients set small, achievable nutritional goals (e.g., eating more vegetables, reducing processed foods, or drinking more water) would be key to making lasting changes. I would support them in creating sustainable habits by tracking progress and offering positive reinforcement. Emotional and Psychological Support: Changing dietary habits often comes with emotional challenges, especially when dealing with long-term illness. I would offer empathetic listening and motivational support, encouraging patients to view the process as a journey toward greater health rather than a restrictive burden. 4. Collaboration with Medical Professionals Multi-Disciplinary Approach: Nutrition is just one aspect of health, and many patients with chronic diseases require a team approach. I would work closely with other healthcare providers (e.g., doctors, dietitians, physical therapists) to ensure that nutritional changes are complementary to other treatments. Monitoring Progress: Regular follow-ups would be crucial to assess whether the nutritional interventions are improving health markers (e.g., blood pressure, cholesterol, blood sugar levels) and making adjustments if necessary. 5. Community Engagement Support Groups: Create or collaborate with community-based support groups that encourage sharing experiences and tips on managing health through diet, especially for those facing similar conditions (like cancer survivors or people with heart disease). Advocacy for Healthy Environments: I would also advocate for healthier food environments, like supporting access to nutritious foods in local communities and encouraging workplaces or schools to provide healthier meal options. By focusing on individualized care, education, behavioral change, and support, I would aim to empower patients and their families to make informed nutritional choices that could positively impact both their quality and quantity of life.

As a Filipino female, I grew up experiencing gender-based domestic violence and limited access to healthcare, education and economic opportunities since my parents had me as teenagers. Police intervention and needing financial assistance from my immigrant grandparents were part of my everyday life. Growing up, I was the only Filipino in my school and even in my undergraduate studies. I feel that Filipino women are underrepresented in the field of nutrition and dietetics and in higher education. Moreover, there are cultural expectations where Filipino women, often seen as the backbone of their families, might feel the pressure to put personal aspirations on hold to care for others. This can perpetuate cycles of limited economic opportunities and educational advancement, making it even harder to break free from gender-based constraints. In Filipino culture, there’s a tendency to prioritize the needs of others—family, children, or community—over personal well-being. This can make it difficult for women to seek help for their mental health, as it may be seen as a sign of weakness or selfishness. My goals are to raise awareness of Filipino foods, integrate health benefits, and create a space for Filipino representation in higher education and nutrition and dietetics which are meaningful and essential for the community. I grew up eating filipino foods like lumpia and adobo which I cook for my own family, and I have always heard and even read in my textbooks how a traditional filipino diet is linked to cardiovascular disease. Filipino food is often misunderstood or misrepresented in the context of health, and therefore it is important to highlight that traditional Filipino foods can be part of a balanced, heart-healthy diet could have a big impact. By writing cookbooks or creating resources, I plan to bridge the gap between cultural heritage and modern nutritional science. Eventually, I would love to have my own business that is centered around nutrition and pilates which aligns with my desire to create jobs, empower others, and serve as a role model to serve my own community and represent Filipino women. Due to cultural expectations, mental health is often stigmatized or overlooked in Filipino culture. My business will serve as a much-needed resource in an environment where women can feel understood, respected, and validated—free from judgment or cultural barriers. This kind of space can play a huge role in breaking the stigma around mental health and encouraging more women to prioritize their well-being.