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 25th 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.
Pictured, from left, are: North Oaks Dietetic Internship Director Leslie
Ballard; Graduates Lyell Turner, Jacey Busbice, Beth Serigny, Kristen
Salles, Derek Miketinas, Dajanae Johnson, Molly Kaiser, Cora Glaser and
Emily Wignall; and North Oaks Nutritional Services Director Ann McDaniel-Hall.