Outstanding Dietetic Student Award, Didactic Program in Dietetics, Idaho State University, Pocatello, Idaho – Samantha Mitro
The Idaho State University, Didactic Program in Dietetics, has selected Samantha Mitro to receive the Outstanding Dietetic Student Award for 2020.
“ Samantha Mitro will graduate with her B.S. in Dietetics from Idaho State University in May 2020. During her time at ISU, Samantha has been an active member of the Nutrition and Wellness Club and Phi U Honorary Society. She is the current secretary for both organizations. Samantha’s gentle leadership style translates well into the classroom. She is very engaged and willing to volunteer her time and talents for others. Samantha’s positive attitude and willingness to learn are assets to her today and in the future. Samantha will begin her dietetic internship and MS degree this fall. After completing her internship, Samantha would like to begin her career in the clinical setting and eventually work in oncology. “
Outstanding Dietetic Student Award, Coordinated Program in Dietetics, University of Idaho, Moscow, Idaho – Meredith LaFrance
The University of Idaho Coordinated Program in Dietetics has selected Meredith LaFrance to receive the Outstanding Dietetic Student Award for 2020.
“Meredith’s desire to become a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist is rooted in her love of food, passion for cooking, and determination to empower others to live healthy, happy lives. Her journey has been a bit untraditional. After graduating from the University of Oregon with a bachelor’s degree in International Studies and Spanish, she embarked on a life-changing journey to Rwanda, where she served for 27 months as a Peace Corps Volunteer. As a teacher, she was acutely aware of how food insecurity and poor nutrition impacted her students’ performance. Her enthusiasm for nutrition and dietetics continued to grow in the jobs she accepted upon her return to the U.S. Through her experience working with diverse communities in Oregon and Alaska, she recognized the value of nutrition education and wished she could do more. She now seizes any opportunity to increase her knowledge of nutrition-related topics and strives to provide guidance founded in evidence-based research. Meredith aspires to connect with individuals and communities and effect change through nutrition education and support. She is interested in all areas of the field, including acute clinical care, long term care, diabetes management, oncology nutrition, and community outreach. Components of the job she finds most exciting include grocery store tours, cooking demonstrations, and project development. She hopes to one day work at an outpatient clinic centered on lifestyle medicine.”
