Sapere
(Italian)
sa‧pé‧re. verb. 1) To taste. 2) To come to know
My passion for becoming a dietitian was sparked when I was thirteen years old, when I had the opportunity to job shadow a Registered Dietitian for a day. I enjoyed watching her interact with patients and teach them how to be healthier, and I decided I wanted to make an influence on others as she did. I had also seen the direct impact a dietitian had had on my own life, growing up with type 1 diabetes. Over the past twenty years, I have had my struggles and successes with my diabetes, but through this illness, I have learned to be responsible, perseverant, creative and a team-player within my own health care team. All of these qualities have helped serve me in my day to day life as well as in my internship and various work experiences. As a dietitian I want to take these experiences and inspire and motivate others to transform their health and experience the positive influences eating well can have on one’s body.
I am eager and driven to excel in my chosen profession as a registered dietitian as I guide patients to a healthier lifestyle. I know I am committed to this profession every time I reach into my lab coat pocket and feel a ribbed, pink seashell, given to me by a young patient whom I worked with in Pediatric Endocrinology. Having this shell in my pocket is a constant reminder that I do have the potential to change someone’s life.
About Me
My name is Christina Wright and I am just about to complete the most stressful, yet rewarding time of my life-my Oregon State University Dietetic Internship. This year has been a year of both personal and professional growth-I've learned time and stress management skills, interpersonal skills both among my peers and preceptors and how to have a positive attitude in every working environment I am in. Regardless if I was in the ICU calculating a frustrating tube feeding equation, counseling a mum to encourage her child to lose weight or planning a meal for 300 people, I had a smile on my face excited for what the day had to bring. I've heard many Registered Dietitians say their dietetic internship was one of the worst years of their life, but for me, I'd have to say it was one of the best. I have enjoyed the challenge of something new every week and accomplishing my goals, knowing that every time I finished a competency, I was one step closer to my goal of becoming a Registered Dietitian.
Thank you. Such small words to all the people who have made such a profound impact on me. To my parents for always supporting my decisions and who always had the right words to ease my soul when times were tough. To my brother and friend, Kevin, for making me laugh and reminding me to have fun in life. To my extended family, for giving me that long-distance phone call just to catch up and find out how I am. In particular my Aunt Pam for helping me with this website! To my friends in California, for putting up with my crazy schedule in order to squeeze in a phone call and for always believing in me. To my new Salem friends, for your friendship, I don't know how I would have survived this year without all of your support! To my fellow interns, for the laughs on our Friday carpools to class and your support no matter what projects we had on our plates. Lastly, to every teacher and professor who has been involved in my life, you have truly given me the knowledge and skills in order for me to fulfill my dreams of becoming a dietitian. To all of you, I thank you from the bottom of my heart.
~Christina