North Oaks Dietetic Internship Graduates 31st Class

North Oaks Health System’s Dietetic Internship (DI) faculty and staff honored seven graduates with a commencement ceremony on Friday, Dec. 6.

North Oaks Dietetic Internship graduates for 2024 included (standing, from left) Catherine Seicshnaydre of Mandeville, Baleigh Jenkins of Franklinton, Meredith Wingerter of Mandeville and Ryan Woods of Slidell, (seated, from left) Karen Lapeyrouse of Geismar, Sydney Hudson of Covington and Gabrielle Anderson of Mandeville. 

Chief Human Resources Officer Jeff Jarreau presided over the morning ceremony, held at the E. Brent Dufreche Conference Center on the North Oaks Medical Center campus.

Sydney Hudson was one of two graduates honored as award recipients. Hudson received the Mary Nelson Award that is given by program preceptors and faculty in recognition of eagerness to learn, dedication to dietetics and high professional standards. The award is the namesake of the late Mary Nelson, who gave 30 years to the profession of dietetics and educating dietitians.

The graduating class selected Gabrielle Anderson to receive the Dannye Young Taylor “Always Remembering Others” Award in recognition of selflessly helping others and teamwork. Now retired, Taylor was a longtime patient representative with the health system. Her husband, Dr. Rodney Taylor, set up the award in recognition of her motto, “always remember others.”

Leslie Ballard, a registered dietitian and former director of the North Oaks DI, served as guest speaker. In her remarks, she highlighted three key attributes for forging a successful career in dietetics – knowledge, passion and confidence.

“To truly be successful, you must stay on the cutting edge of research in this field because nutrition is an evolving science. You entered this profession because you have a passion for helping others and recognize the potential of nutrition to heal the body, prevent disease and provide an avenue for a healthier lifestyle,” noted Ballard. “You have earned your place at the table, proving that you can face any challenge that comes your way.

She concluded, “You have the skills, the knowledge and the passion. Now, embrace the confidence to speak up, be seen and thrive.”

Diplomas were conferred by DI Program Director Haley Lanter.

The North Oaks DI is a post-baccalaureate program accredited by the Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics (ACEND). It prepares interns to become registered dietitians through firsthand experience in a wide range of settings – from hospitals and clinics to public health agencies and food service management. They learn how to provide nutrition services and counseling, and how to apply nutrition science and dietetic principles in real-world scenarios.