2020-2021 Cohort Farewell

The 2020-2021 cohort of the Cal Poly San Luis Obispo Dietetic Internship was overjoyed to celebrate our graduation on June 21, 2021. The day was perfect and the setting at the Dana Powers House in Nipomo was beautiful and memorable.

We're far removed from our "Brady Bunch" view from last Fall when we could only meet for seminars on Zoom (for more weeks than we can count).

Thankfully all of our amazing preceptors worked through COVID 19 challenges, training and mentoring the interns with courage and creativity. Most welcomed interns in-person, in hospitals, clinics, schools, community agencies, and private practice offices. We toured the spectacular new Vista Grande Dining Complex and enjoyed lunch on campus and another Monday got to practice the Nutrition Focused Physical Exam with senior MNT students at Cal Poly and present case studies in the Spring when conditions allowed. Our in-person seminars were few and precious.

There were struggles and difficult moments that we all worked through and learned from and I believe this cohort of interns is the best prepared to face real-life professional challenges to date.

Congratulations to Karli for being the FIRST to pass the RD/RDN exam and to Sarah who joined Karli as a new RD shortly after. Mandy, Shannon, Karli, Alma, Holly, Britt and Sarah raced into professional practice like Olympic sprinters. Dana, Carisa and Kelly are doing the strategic planning and heavy lifting it takes for their next step. I've enjoyed watching the Olympics and see so many parallels between the lives of dietetic interns and Olympic athletes. Goals, dedication, sacrifice, set-backs, hurdles, competition, family support, financial challenges, and all along the way learning and improving.

Interns, can you believe where you are now compared to 1 year ago?

Every recent graduate is in position to serve their community with enthusiasm, compassion and skill, CONGRATULATIONS!

Congratulations also to the new cohort beginning soon under the leadership of Dr. Kari Pilolla. We all look forward to following the continuing story of the Cal Poly San Luis Obispo Dietetic Internship. Welcome to the Cal Poly SLO Family - we're here for you.

The 2020-21 interns and program faculty happily pass the torch to the 2021-22 cohort.