Wellspan Health
Wellspan Health is a multi-specialty medical group in York, Pennsylvania, that includes more than 660 providers, a homecare organization, multiple hospitals, more than 11,000 employees and 93 patient-care locations. The Wellspan Health facilities serve as the primary location for the medical nutrition therapy, community outpatient counseling and inpatient food services and clinical nutrition management rotations for the dietetic internship and include the main hospital, a rehab hospital, a community health clinic and a medical mall. Interns will work with Cindy Ketterman, Wellspan Health's clinical nutrition manager, and more than 20 other food and nutrition staff members who serve as internship preceptors, representing a variety of specialties in nutrition support, diabetes education, pediatrics, weight management, food services and clinical nutrition management, oncology, cardiac, and renal support.
Food insecurity rotation
Students will be introduced to nutrition services and resources for food insecure people through service at the Central Pennsylvania Food Bank, Salvation Army or Project Share. In addition to developing and/or implementing a nutrition program, students will gain hands-on experience in the community providing services to food insecure people at partnering agencies.
The Central Pennsylvania Food Bank serves 27 counties in the area, distributes food and other donated products to more than 800 partner agencies, and provides food assistance for seniors, fresh produce distribution, Kids Café and BackPack programs. Project Share's mission is to reduce food insecurity in the greater Carlisle area by offering access to nutritious food, programs and a support network that promotes self-sufficiency, fosters dignity and instills hope.
Local school districts
Dietetic interns can expect to learn about and participate in federal nutrition programs, school meal requirements and school food service management, as well as implement projects related to these topics. Local school districts serve breakfast and lunch to students in grades K-12 and provide free and reduced-price school meals for eligible students. In the past, students have worked onsite in the Mechanicsburg Area School District and Cumberland Valley School District. Messiah plans to partner with another school district in the near future.
Long-term care facilities
The internship partners with multiple long-term care facilities to host interns. Students can expect to observe and assist with patient nutrition care while learning about the daily responsibilities of a dietitian in a long-term care setting.