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What is a Registered & Licensed Dietitian?
A Registered & Licensed Dietitian (RD, LD) is a health professional uniquely trained to translate the technical science of nutrition into a total program that promotes optimal wellness with diet, exercise and lifestyle management. This service is called medical nutrition therapy and is specifically tailored to meet the needs of the individual through an assessment of the clients overall nutritional status, followed by a personalized prescribed course of treatment.
A Registered Dietitian is
qualified by completing:
* Baccalaureate degree in nutrition and food management
* Dietetic Internship accredited by the American Dietetic Association (clinical and administrative experience)
* National Registration Examination by the Commission on Dietetic Registration
* Application for State Licensure
Many RDs hold additional certifications in specialized areas of practice, such as Pediatrics, Childhood and Adolescent Weight Management or Diabetes Education.
Nutrition Professionals work as Registered Dietitian (RD) or as Dietetic Technician Registered (DTR). These Professionals work in a wide variety of settings in Arkansas such as:
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Hospitals
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Long term care facilities like nursing homes
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Public health clinics
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County Extension services
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Food businesses
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School food service
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Consultants for clinics, nursing homes , public relations or journalistic projects
Becoming a Nutrition Professional in Arkansas
There are five programs in Arkansas that offers the Bachelor’s Degree in Dietetics and there are two Dietetic Internship programs that enable the student to complete the necessary practical experience to become a RD. There are many other Bachelors Degrees and internships in the United States. There are also 2 programs that offer advanced degrees for RDs.
To find out more about becoming a nutrition professional in Arkansas, contact any of the program directors listed below:
Bachelors Degree Programs
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Ouachita Baptist University
Stacy Freeman, MS, RD, LD
Box 3769
Arkadelphia, AR 71998-0001
(501) 245-5542
freemans@obu.edu
University of Central Arkansas
Tina Crook, MS, RD, LD
McAllister Hall 100
Conway, AR 72035-0001
(501)450-5959
tcrook@uca.edu
University of Arkansas at Fayetteville
Marjorie Fitch-Hilgenberg, PHD, RD, LD
Director of Didactic Program in Dietetics
118 HOEC
Fayetteville, AR 72701
(501) 575-6815
mfitch@uark.edu |
University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff
Lucille Meadows, MS, RD
Mail Slot 4971
1200 North University Drive
Pine Bluff, AR 71601
(870) 575-8816/575-8817
Meadows_l@uapb.edu
Harding University
Lisa Ritchie, EdD, RD, LD
900 E. Center Avenue
Box 12233
Searcy, AR 72149-2233
(501) 279-4677
lritchie@harding.edu
Henderson State University
Position Open
PO Box 7510
Arkadelphia, AR 71999-0001
(870) 230-5542
lockwol@hsu.edu
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Dietetic Internship Programs
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UAMS/CAVHS Dietetic Internship
Amanda Dawson, MS, RD, LD
Interim Director Dietetic Internship
4301 West Markham, Slot #627
Little Rock, AR 72205
501-686-5714
amdawson@uams.edu |
University of Central Arkansas
Debie Head, MSE, RD, LD, CDE
Director Dietetic Internship
McAllister Hall 100
Conway, AR 72035-0001
(501) 450-5954
dhead@uca.edu |
Dietetic Technicians have a degree from a two year college (Associate). There are two Dietetic Technician program in Arkansas -see below. These programs include both the necessary course work and the practical experience needed to become a DTR.
Dietetic Technician Programs in AR
Advanced Degree Programs
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University of Arkansas
School of Human Environmental Sciences
118 HOEC
Fayetteville, AR 72701
Marjorie E Fitch-Hilgenberg PhD, RD, LD
479/575-4305
Fax: 479/575-7171
E-Mail: mfitch@uark.edu
http://www.uark.edu/depts/hesweb
Master's Degree Major: Food and Nutrition, Medical Nutrition Therapy/Human Nutrition, Nutrition Biochemistry/Metabolism, Nutrition Research, Nutrition Science
Doctoral's Degree Major: Food and Nutrition, Food Science, Nutrition Biochemistry/Metabolism, Nutrition Research, Nutrition Science
Alternate Education: Evening didactic courses
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University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences
Department of Dietetics and Nutrition
College of Health Related Professions
Slot 627
4301 West Markham
Little Rock, AR 72205
Reza Hakkak, PhD
501/686-6166
Fax: 501/686-5716
E-Mail: hakkakreza@uams.edu
http://www.uams.edu/CHRP
Master's Degree Major: Community/Public Health Nutrition, Dietetics/Nutrition Education, Health Promotion and Wellness, Sports Nutrition
Alternate Education: Evening didactic courses, Independent study |
Dietetic professionals are the food and nutrition experts! No other professional has the knowledge and expertise in food science, food service  management and nutrition in health, disease, wellness and disease prevention as does the Dietetic Technician and the Registered Dietitian. More and more Americans are recognizing the fact that health and well being are connected to sound nutrition practices. Americans are turning to RD’s and DTR’s for the information they need to keep themselves and their families healthy.
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