Class of 2007-2008 Dietetic Student Biographies
Jenae Halsted
Jenae's goal to become a registered dietitian evolved from working, in the 1990s, with low income populations, and those in need of medical care. Through experiences at the New York School of Urban Ministry, she began to develop compassion toward others in need and, since then, has combined her dual interests in nutrition and the desire for helping others as motivation for finishing her degree. While working two jobs in addition to a full-time class schedule, Jenae's main focus has been on maintaining a personal standard of excellence, both academically and professionally, which has resulted in her name being placed on the Deans list at Russell Sage College, and receiving positive reviews from employers at both jobs.
Both nutrition education as a broader science as well as working with individuals one-on-one to improve health and fitness in their lives are areas that Jenae is interested in pursuing, as she loves to work with people.
On completion of the Dietetic Internship program, and becoming a registered dietitian, Jenae plans to work in the area of community nutrition and, eventually intends to seek a job working in nutrition education, or health and fitness on a larger scale. Ultimately, Jenae will pursue her Masters Degree and continue to seek out new experiences and further her education through a life style of learning in order to present the most current and relevant assistance available to her clients.
Rebecca Hassinger
Rebecca Hassinger received her undergraduate degree in nutrition from Russell Sage College, Troy, NY. The decision to enter the nutrition field began with her interest in health and wellness. She has worked in the health field for seven years as a licensed massage therapist. Rebecca would like to start her career in clinical dietetics to gain experience with a variety of nutrition topics, and, eventually would like to counsel patients in both in-patient and out-patient settings, helping people work toward their goals of better health.
Tracey Kozykowski
Tracey is a 34 year old Registered Dietetic Technician. For the past sixteen years, Tracey has been working in long-term care and has held various positions within these organizations from dietary aide, diet clerk, foodservice supervisor and registered dietetic technician.
Traceys initial interest in healthcare began back in 1991 when she was hired as a dietary aide. Holding this position inspired her to enroll for her undergraduate degree in the dietetic technician program at Suffolk Community College on Long Island. Her associates degree, obtained in 1996, opened the doors of opportunity for her to take a supervisor/DTR position, which she continues to hold today. Tracey continued her education by obtaining her bachelors degree in Nutrition from Long Island University-CW Post in 2002.
Tracey married her long-time sweetheart and friend in March 2006. Currently she and her husband reside in her husbands childhood home in Port Jefferson, Long Island. Upon completing the dietetic internship program at Sage, Tracey wishes to begin another important phase in her life, becoming a mother. Traceys long-term goal is to eventually specialize in diabetes, renal nutrition or wound care. Teaching nutrition at a college level is something Tracey also wishes to accomplish one day in the future.
Heather Lauzon
Heather first became interested in nutrition after a sports nutritionist gave a nutrition presentation to her varsity cross country team. The presentation was very informative and helped to improve the performance of many of the runners. It was at this time that she decided to pursue a career in dietetics. Her focus was shifted from sports nutrition to clinical nutrition after working as a diet technician in a long term care facility.
Heather completed her Bachelor of Science Degree in Food and Nutrition at Plattsburgh State University in Plattsburgh, New York.
In the near future, Heather is looking forward to completing a majority of her clinical rotation at the Stratton VA Hospital in Albany, New York. After completing the internship program she hopes to continue to be an asset to the Nutritional Services Department at the VA hospital as an entry level dietitian. As for long term career goals, Heather is looking forward to becoming a dietitian in a cardiac rehabilitation center.
Eileen Lindemann
Ms. Lindemann earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in English from Skidmore College and the CADE Verification Statement from Russell Sage College. She has been a matriculated graduate student in Sage Graduate Schools M.S. in Applied Nutrition program since fall 2005. Ms. Lindemanns educational background also includes graduate coursework in secondary education, and she has student-taught literature and writing at the high school level.
Ms. Lindemanns work experience includes proofreading and editing of nursing educational software as well as a graduate assistantship during which she assisted in the compilation of Russell Sage College Didactic Program in Dietetics self-study report to the Commission on Accreditation for Dietetics Education. Also, she has worked as a staffing service representative responsible for recruiting, interviewing, assigning, monitoring and counseling employees.
Ms. Lindemann is dedicated to serving her community and has worked as a volunteer at the Greenfield Center Food Pantry, the Saratoga EOC Food Pantry, and Saratoga Hospitals Food and Nutritional Services Department. Her short term professional goal is to gain breadth and depth of experience in dietetics through both clinical and community practice. Her long term professional goal is a career in nutrition communication and public health.
Karen Manco
Karen Manco is currently a Renal Dietitian at Stony Brook Kidney Center, in East Setauket, New York. Ever since she was in junior year of high school, she had the aspiration of becoming a dietitian. Karen started working part-time at a local community hospital. This is where her career in the health field began over 35 years ago. From 1973 - 1978 she worked in dietary in this hospital. In 1978, Karen started her career path at Suffolk Community Colleges first ADA approved Dietetic Technician Program.
In 1981, after obtaining my A.A.S. degree in nutrition, she worked in many facilities such as nursing homes, developmental care facilities and at Suffolk Community College as the technical assistant for the Dietetic Technician Program. From 1993 to present, Karen has worked in four different dialysis facilities.
In 1998, she went back to school at Russell Sage College to pursue her B.S. degree to become a Registered Dietitian. Karen completed this degree at Long Island University, in May, 2007.
Karens short term goals are to increase her knowledge and be more proficient in areas that she is not as familiar with such as, nutrition support, oncology, and HIV. Her long term goals are to become a Certified Diabetes Educator, Certified Renal Specialist and to be the chairperson of her local chapter of the Counsel of Renal Nutrition.
Marit Mendelsohn
Marit intends to pursue a career in sports nutrition. She attended UMass Amherst for 4 years, and enjoyed the area so much she intends to return after completing her internship. Her interest in sports and nutrition arose at an early age due to her familys interest in holistic healing and alternative medicine. She was very active in high school, running track for 5 years, being an avid hiker, biker, and snowboarder. She plans on taking a personal training course, in order to become a certified personal trainer. Her dream job would be working with a sports team, or counseling clients in a gym setting.
Cheryl Reed
Cheryl hails from Plattsburgh, New York. After graduating from high school she went on to obtain a BS in Physical Education with a concentration in athletic training from Houghton College graduating in 1994. Many years later she felt the need for change thus making the decision to return to college in 2002. Cheryl obtained her BS in Food and Nutrition from Plattsburgh State University College, graduating in 2005. Her interest in nutrition stemmed from her own personal ongoing struggle with weight and the desire for greater knowledge of nutrition as well as wanting a degree to compliment her BS in physical education.
For the last three years Cheryl has worked in long term care at local nursing homes, each day brings many joys and challenges. Feeling quite at home in the long term care setting Cheryl at one point saw herself working with the clientele for the rest of her career. But in August of 2005, she was a stem cell donor for her younger brother; despite many medical challenges it has been an amazing learning experience, which has peaked Cheryls interest in MNT for oncology and transplant patients and eventually she would like to specialize in this area. As for a short term goal, Cheryl would like to stay free of speeding ticket as she travel back and forth for the next year!
Laura Salinas
Laura Salinas completed her undergraduate degree in Food Science and Human Nutrition at Colorado State University in Fort Collins Colorado. She was born and raised in the Denver metro area and is excited to be in the Albany area to explore all that it has to offer. She became interested in the area of nutrition because of her own personal interest in the field. She feels that to excel in a career it should be in a field that you have a personal connection to and for her this is nutrition. She is still undecided on a career path after the internship, but is confident that with the practical experiences the internship provides she will be guided down the correct path. She looks forward to her experience during the dietetic internship and at the Sage Graduate School.
Clare Schwan
Clare graduated in 2007 from the University of Connecticut with a Bachelors of Science in Nutritional Sciences. In addition to this degree she was credited with a minor in Sport. Ms. Schwan became interested in the field of nutrition after taking an introductory course. She enjoyed learning of the importance of food in regard to human anatomy and physiology. Clare is excited to apply the knowledge she has gained through her undergraduate studies in a clinical atmosphere. Clare was a member of the University of Connecticuts Varsity Lacrosse Team for five years and was awarded Captainship her senior season. Upon completion of Ms. Schwans fifth season she was recognized as a First Team-Northeast Region All Star by the Intercollegiate Womens Lacrosse Coaches Association. One day Clare hopes to promote nutritional health and fitness to young people in a fun and interesting way.
Wendy Steuerwald
At the age of 16, Wendy had her first job in the dietary department at Barnwell Nursing Home. This experience introduced her to the relationship between nutrition and health. Barnwell Nursing Home was founded by Wendys grandmother in 1940, and the business remained in the family until 2003.
After receiving a Bachelors degree in Business Administration from St. Bonaventure University, Wendy worked in the Human Resources field for 14 years at her familys business. In 2004 Wendy decided on a career change. Her interest in health and nutrition led her to the decision to return to school to pursue a career in dietetics. She received a Bachelor of Science degree in Nutrition from Russell Sage College in May 2007.
Wendys experience as a business manager and owner has afforded her the opportunity to obtain experience in both business management and human relations, in addition to exposure to the health care system.
Wendys goal is to work in clinical dietetics, and she has a special interest in working with patients diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes.
Meagan Tranchita
Meagan attended Columbia Greene Community College where she completed an Associates Degree in Art in the spring of 1992. After completing this degree she continued her education for several years before leaving college to take a position as an office manager in an auction gallery.
She still holds the same position but her lifelong interest in food and its importance to health inspired her to pursue a new career in dietetics. She recently graduated from Russell Sage College in December 2006 with a Bachelors Degree in Nutrition Science.
Although she has not made any clear decisions about what direction she will choose in the field of dietetics, she is confident in her decision to follow this career path and is open to the many opportunities the field holds.
