North Oaks Graduates 23rd Class of Dietetic Interns

Dietitians should “never lose sight” of their patients and remember that they have a rare opportunity to change lives, according to the keynote speaker for the 23rd Annual North Oaks Dietetic Internship Commencement Ceremony that was held June 9 at the E. Brent Dufreche Conference Center in Hammond.

Businesswoman Rebecca Lee, who is a 2008 graduate of the program and a registered dietitian, delivered the message to graduates Maureen Rogers Breaux, Gonzales; Danielle Marie DeLeon, Tampa, Florida; Spenser Lea Ford and Elizabeth Anne Whitman, Thibodaux; Brian Robert Longabardi, East Meadow, New York; and Julia Elizabeth Palmisano, Kenner.

The North Oaks Dietetic Internship Program offers qualified individuals a unique opportunity to attain eligibility for the Registration Examination for Dietitians through 1 year of supervised experience.

Whitman received the Mary Nelson Award, given by the Dietetic Internship faculty for exceptional work, enthusiastic attitude, dedication to the dietetic profession and academic excellence. The award is given in memory of the late Mary Nelson, who was a professor in dietetics at Southeastern Louisiana University.

Breaux was the recipient of the “Always Remembering Others” Award, given in honor of North Oaks Patient Representative Dannye Young Taylor by her husband, Dr. Rodney Taylor.

She also received the Carol Bertrand Award for Excellence, given by the Southeast District Dietetic Association. The award was created in memory of the late Bertrand, who was a registered dietitian and graduate of North Oaks’ second Dietetic Internship class.

For more information about the North Oaks Dietetic Internship, contact the program office at (985) 230-6548.