Revised Nutrition Program

Posted November 20, 1998


FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - November 20, 1998
98-11-11-PH

Revised nutrition program includes
unique internship

The College of Pharmacy and Nutrition at the University
of Saskatchewan has partnered with provincial health
districts to create an innovative BSc nutrition program
that?s unique in Canada. Students wanting to take the
revised program will take one-year of pre-Nutrition
courses, then apply for admission to the revised four-
year program.

Dr. Shawna Berenbaum, head of the Nutrition and
Dietetics Division, says a key feature of the program is
its professional practice courses, which are included
from year one onward. ?Introducing professional
practicums early and throughout the program will
enhance and integrate theoretical knowledge and
practice of professional skills.?

Previously, Berenbaum says, professional experience
was obtained through postgraduate dietetic internships
across Canada. She notes that these have become
inceasingly limited in number.

To date, she adds, well-qualified nutrition majors across
the country have been unable to attain the dietetics
credentials they need, even as career opportunities in
dietetics/nutrition have expanded. ?The partnership
model will qualify our Nutrition graduates with the
credentials necessary to practise as a dietician in
Canada and around the world.?

Meanwhile, the current postgraduate internships in
Regina and Saskatoon will be discontinued in their
present form and be modified to provide the major
professional practice sites for the program.

As well as providing students with both theory and
practicum experience, the new program will also allow
for more rural district health facilities to benefit from
the contribution of senior nutrition students in the care
provided by dieticians, community nutritionists, and
allied health professionals.

Through the program, student placements will be made
in 13 health districts of the province. It?s anticipated
that additional sites will be added with involvement of
Tribal Councils, since increasing numbers of Councils are
adding dietitians/nutritionists to their health care
services.

The Nutrition program will be directed by a partnership
coodinating committee comprising Dean Dennis Gorecki;
Dr. Susan Whiting, assistant dean; Dr. Shawna
Berenbaum, head of Nutrition and Dietetics; Sonja Matt
and Dr. Joan Smith, directors of food and nytrition
services for the SHD and the RHD, respectively; Jean
Coleman and Cindy Placatka, professional practice
coordinators for the SHD and the RHD, respectively; and
Merry Beazely, program administrator.

In addition to better preparing nutrition students to
enter careers in the field and benefiting rural areas, the
new program will facilitate interaction among faculty
and practitioners and provide increased opportunities
for collaborative research.

Berenbaum credits the changes to the revised program
?to the commiment of both the Regina Health District
and the Saskatoon Health District partners and other
Saskatchewan practitioners; the valuable input of
students in the former Nutrtion program; the
contributions from colleagues in other programs, in
particuler our Pharmacy programs; the tenacity of the
faculty and staff; and the support of the University.?

For further information contact:
Dr. Shawna Berenbaum, Head
Nutrition and Dietetics Division
College of Pharmacy and Nutrition
(306) 966-5836
or

Merry Beazely, College Administrator
(306) 966-5826