Interview with a Registered Dietitian

Assignment
Melissa Dunlap, RD
715-836-6689
melissa.dunlap@wisconsin.gov
Division of Public Health-Eau Claire
610 Gibson St., Suite 3, Eau Claire, WI 54701

Hannah Ritsch
Due: November 10th 2016

I interviewed Melissa Dunlap from the Eau Claire Division of Public

Heath for my RD interview assignment. I wanted to discover what a
registered dietitians role in a government setting was and how she obtained
her position. I was able to talk to her about her education and career path
and the different aspects of her job. I enjoyed learning about her career and
role in nutrition and dietetics.
Education of Dietitian
Melissa Dunlap obtained an undergraduate degree in psychology from
UW-Stout. She didnt know while doing her undergrad what she wanted to do
and that she would eventually come back to Stout to pursue nutrition. After
obtaining her BS in psychology she moved out to Oregon where she was
exposed to healthy living and discovered that she liked nutrition and
dietetics. She moved back to Wisconsin and obtained a masters degree in
nutritional science from UW-Stout.
Route to ADA Registration
Melissa Dunlap completed a masters degree in nutritional science
from UW-Stout and was rooted in the area so she applied for the UW-Stout
internship program. She obtained the UW-Stout internship. After completing
her internship, she immediately took the registered dietitian exam. She was
motivated to start working as an RD and was happy that she took the test to
get certified right away. She maintains her certification by completing
continuing education hours through her work.

Career History
Melissas first job in the nutrition field started before she was an RD.
She worked as a dietitian technician, at St. Joes Hospital in Chippewa Falls
Wisconsin, while pursuing her masters degree. After becoming an RD, she
started at the Grant County WIC center. She was the WIC director in Grant
County for one year before obtaining her current position at the Division of
Public Health in Eau Claire.
Dietitians Present Position
Melissa currently works the Division of Public Health in Eau Claire. Her
title is Public Health Nutrition Consultant. She mainly works to oversee WIC
clinics in the area. She oversees 17 different WIC programs. One of her main
roles is to monitor and audit each WIC program. This includes a review of all
locations every other year. These reviews involve her looking at all aspects of
the clinic and if they are working properly. These reviews also include her
looking at how grant money each location received is being spent. Another
aspect of her of job is acting as a technical assistant. She solves staffing
issues at each location and is the trainer of new directors for each location.
Melissa has played a big role in implementing the new e-card program. She
also has played a role in developing a new assessment technique and
software called ROSIE. Melissa is working to create a dietetic internship in
her department. She also is part of the outreach program that works to
maintain WIC clients after they no longer need baby formula.

Interrelationships to Health Care Team

Melissa doesnt work one on one with clients anymore. Instead she
interacts mostly with the dietitians that work at WIC locations in her region.
Because she works in a the Eau Claire Division of Public Health and the main
center for Public Health is in Madison, WI she does interact with co-workers in
Madison a lot. They work together to create new policies and programs for
WIC clinics.
Advantages and Disadvantages of Dietitians Job
Melissa likes that every day is different and provides a new challenge.
She likes that in her role she gets to be involved with different state groups
and collaborate to make decisions at the state level. She also likes that WIC
has very set office hours so she is able to attend to her family after work and
not extend her hours. A disadvantage of her current job is that Melissa
misses the interactions she used to have with clients and patients. She also
finds that since she covers such a large area and the main public health
office is out of Madison she must travel quite a bit.
Personal Philosophy regarding Dietetics
Melissa believes that WIC clinics are an essential part of a communitys
nutrition base, since there is always an RD on staff at each clinic. She
believes that to have a successful career in dietetics you must have a love
for learning, research and people.

Concerns for the Future of Dietetics

One concern is that the pay is very low so it doesnt motivate people to
pursue a career in dietetics compared to other careers in the health field.
Also, concerning pay she believes that those RDs that do complete a
masters degree need to be compensated better. Another huge issue for
Melissa is that insurance needs to learn to value the licensure that RDs have
obtained.
Four Research Questions:
What area of dietetics do you believe provides the greatest potential for job
opportunities in the future?
Melissa believes that clinical dietetics will provide the greatest number
of jobs in the future due to the aging population.
Are you a member of the AND practice group related to your practice area?
Why or why not?
Melissa is not a member of any AND practice groups. She chooses not
to be a member because her job provides so much education material.
What is the most frustrating part of your job?
Melissa believes that the most frustrating part of her job is finding
funding. She has found that budgets keep decreasing for local agencies but
they are expected to be able to do more and more.

How does your education and experience in the dietetics field influence your
daily life?
Her thesis taught her how to be a strong writer, this helps her with
everyone that she communicates with. She also thinks that her experience in
the field has taught her to be a better counselor and more compassionate.
Overall I learned a lot through this interview process. The best advice
Melissa gave to me was to always be networking, it will help me in the future
wherever I end up. I didnt start out with an interest in government dietetics
but after talking with Melissa I have an interest in researching the area more
and discovering if it is something I might want to do.

References
Davis, A., & Affenito, S. (2014). Nutrition and public health: Preparing
registered dietitian nutritionists for marketplace demands. Journal of
the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, 114(5), 695-9.
Kanopy , distributor. (2015). Nutrition Careers for the 21st Century.
Ritchie, Lorrene D., Whaley, Shannon E., Spector, Phil, Gomez, Judy, &
Crawford, Patricia B. (2010). Favorable Impact of Nutrition Education on
California WIC Families. Journal of Nutrition Education and Behavior,
42(3), Journal of Nutrition Education and Behavior, 2010, Vol.42(3).
"Scope of Practice." Www.eatrightpro.org. Academy of Nutrition and
Dietetics, n.d. Web. 03 Nov. 2016.
<http://www.eatrightpro.org/resources/practice/qualitymanagement/scope-of-practice>.
Winterfeldt, E., Ebro, Lea L, & Bogle, Margaret L. (1998). Dietetics : Practice
and future trends / [edited by] Esther A. Winterfeldt, Margaret L. Bogle,
Lea L. Ebro.

Name: ____________Hannah Ritsch______________

Rubric for the Interview with Registered Dietitian Assignment

This assignment should include the following:
Requirements

Possi
ble
Point
s

Report

Total
40

Length 3-4 Pages

Format

Information in Report:

25

Education of Dietitian
Route to ADA Registration
Career History
Dietitians Present Position
Interrelationships to Health Care Team
Other Comments
Plus the
4 research questions
Spelling/Grammar

Thank You Letter Content/spelling and

grammar

Final Assignment Cover Sheet

Reference List

Turned in by Due Date (Loss of 5

points/day(s) late)
Attach this Form to Assignment

5
60

Your
Score

TOTAL: