“It was great to be back on the UNM campus to speak to future nutrition professionals in Dr. Luffey’s life cycle class. Only a few years ago I was a nutrition student sitting in those same seats; now I am grateful to be invited back to speak about my path to becoming a dietitian and current work with pediatric patients at UNM Children’s Hospital. Additionally, we discussed the topic of kidney disease across the life cycle, and how dietitians are the most qualified professionals to help guide these patients to meet their nutritional goals specifically, which plays a vital role in delaying CKD progression, preventing or treating complications, and improving quality of life. With kidney disease specifically, this is a population that benefits greatly from medical nutrition therapy (it’s also one of the few conditions medicaid covers for MNT counseling). It’s also a population that is growing in size each year - meaning more meaningful opportunities for future RDs to serve.”

Derrick is a Clinical Dietitian at UNM Children’s Hospital.