Dietetics interns win state and national scholarships
2021 dietetics interns hope to prevent eating disorders in their careers.
Shelby Bratcher and Janel Shoun-Smith |
Two members of the 2021 Dietetics Internship Program cohort were honored with state and national scholarships that will help them pursue registration and licensure as dietitians through the Lipscomb University DIP program. Both interns are interested in serving patients with eating disorders in their career.
Kathryn Phillips (’21), who holds a bachelor’s in dietetics from Lipscomb and is now a member of the 2021 cohort of Lipscomb DIP interns, was selected to receive the Tennessee Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics (TAND) Undergraduate DPD (Didactic Program in Dietetics) Scholarship.
A second member of the 2021 intern cohort, Kate Lillegard, holds an elementary education bachelor’s degree from the University of Montana and is now studying in Lipscomb’s exercise and nutrition science master’s program. She won a national scholarship, the Jane V. White Scholarship from the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, to complete her graduate studies.
About Kathryn Phillips
Phillips’ interest in dietetics stemmed from her previous background in the world of ballet. At 16, Phillips moved away from her family and hometown of Rancho Santa Margarita, California, to Houston, Texas, to complete her professional ballet training at the Houston Ballet Academy. Phillips accepted her first dance contract at the Nashville Ballet. As a dancer, Phillips witnessed firsthand the perpetuation of many poor dietary practices.
“Despite the joy that ballet provided, I discovered that within this community of elite talent and creativity was a permeating culture of negativity and a trend of emotional manipulation,” said Phillips. “I became increasingly frustrated with the industry’s quiet promotion of disordered eating and perpetuation of body dysmorphia. This redirected me toward a career in dietetics with the hope of supporting those who experience similar food- and body-related challenges.”
While studying at Nashville State Community College, Phillips became a nationally certified Pilates Instructor. She is also the founder of her own integrative learning program, Motivated Movement, for transitional kindergarten and kindergarten students in the Irvine School System in California.
“The program utilized movement and music to provide young children with opportunities to explore the versatility of movement while increasing body-ownership, encouraging creativity and enhancing growth and development,” said Phillips.
While at Lipscomb, Phillips was able to work her way up to become outreach coordinator at Taste Quest, a non-profit organization which aims to empower children through play-based learning and to increase creativity and food literacy.
After achieving her licensure, Phillips hopes to continue working with Nashville Nutrition Partners, a dietetic group practice founded by fellow Lipscomb alumnae. Phillips obtained a competitive internship with the practice and was then hired as their first and only dietary aide.
TAND is the official organization for registered dietitians/nutritionists (RDNs) in the state of Tennessee. Composed of nearly 1,500 licensed dietitians in the state, TAND advocates for locally public-funded nutrition programs and promotes RDNs as official nutrition experts.
Kathryn Phillips and Kate Lillegard are members of the 2021-22 cohort dietetic interns at Lipscomb.
About Kate Lillegard
After graduating with her bachelor’s in 2013, Lillegard, from Stanford, Montana, worked in a variety of positions in the hospitality industry, including working at Orlando and Nashville hotels. She used her education skills as a tutor and an ESL teacher, and volunteered at various organizations such as Nashville’s Second Harvest Food Bank, Bridge Ministry, Coalition for the Homeless, Room in the Inn and By Faith Farm.
She became interested in pursuing the career of dietetics after becoming a client of a dietitian for several years.
The Jane V. White Scholarship is awarded through the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, the world's largest organization of food and nutrition professionals founded in 1917. Today, the Academy represents more than 112,000 credentialed practitioners — registered dietitian nutritionists, dietetic technicians, registered, and other dietetics and nutrition professionals — and is committed to improving the nation's health and advancing the profession of dietetics through research, education and advocacy.