North Oaks Graduates 25th Dietetic Internship Class

Nine graduates of the North Oaks Dietetic Internship Program celebrated their accomplishments at a ceremony and reception Thursday, June 7, 2018, at the E. Brent Dufreche Conference Center in Hammond.

The members of the 25^th graduating class include: Jacey Rebekah Busbice of Morgan City; Cora Mikalynn Glaser of Grosse Tette; Dajanae Mentrae Johnson of Luling; Molly Katherine Kaiser of Crescent Springs, Kentucky; Derek Charles Miketinas of Long Beach, Mississippi; Kristen Nicole Salles of Baton Rouge; Beth Marie Serigny of Thibodaux; Lyell Ann Turner of Gonzales; and Emily Rose Wignall of Creston, Iowa.

Dr. Jennifer Jackson, keynote speaker for the commencement exercises and an incoming preceptor for the 2018-19 North Oaks Dietetic Internship, spoke to the importance of “five Cs” on the journey to success as a registered dietitian. They include credentials, courage, confidence, charity and compensation.

“Refuse to give up,” Jackson urged. “Believe in yourself and be open to working in a variety of settings.”

Jackson, who is president and chief executive officer of Keystone Nutrition, founded the consulting company four years ago. Her clients include seven parish correctional centers, one parish juvenile detention home, the Louisiana Department of Corrections and the Louisiana Office of Juvenile Justice. She also provides nutrition services for nonprofit agencies and Women, Infants and Children Food and Nutrition Service (WIC).

Three students earned award recognition during the program.

Busbice received the Mary Nelson Award and “Always Remembering Others” Award.

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

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

Kaiser was recognized as the recipient of the Carol Bertrand Award for Excellence. The award was created in memory of the late Bertrand, who was a registered dietitian and graduate of North Oaks’ second Dietetic Internship class.

Diplomas were conferred by North Oaks Dietetic Internship Director Leslie Ballard and Jeff Jarreau, chief human resources officer of North Oaks Health System.

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

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