Lauren Zendarski's Career Portfolio

Welcome To My Website!

Objective/Personal Summary

The purpose of this portfolio is to outline and demonstrate my strengths and work experience throughout the dietetic internship. Also, to showcase how my work and educational experiences relate to my professional career goals.

 After being exposed to a nutrition lesson in middle school, I began to develop an interest in health and food that grew throughout high school, eventually leading me on the path to become a dietitian. My passion and dedication for nutrition can be seen through my diabetes research, involvement in Food and Nutrition Association, member of honor society of Phi Upsilon Omicron, and outreach to the community through summer camp and volunteer work. After graduating from State University of New York, College at Oneonta with a Bachelors degree in dietetics, I was so lucky to land an internship in San Antonio, Texas with Baptist Health System. The internship allowed for me to excel in hands on experience through adult, bariatric, pediatric, and neonatal intensive care clinical rotations. It also allowed for experience in leadership management, as well as community involvement through Women Infant and Children (WIC), Judson school district, H.E.B, and long term care. My continued dedication towards nutrition can been seen through my involvement in San Antonio Dietetic Association, recipe development and food expo through H.E.B., and outreach to the community through Judson Independent school district.

Work Experience

 My work experience throughout the internship can be highlighted throughout the tabs in this portfolio. As noted above I have had the opportunity to excel and experience hands on work through the various internship rotations. Please feel free to contact me with the information noted below for further questions! Also, for further information through my college experience please feel free to visit http://LaurenZendarski.webs.com.

Scholarships/Awards/Achievements

 I began obtaining my first scholarships in high school while working at a local grocery store in New York called, Price Chopper. I received three scholarships for college through the company, as well as being awarded for employee of the month. My early dedication and hard working personality can be seen through my work experience and time put towards this corporation. I continued to receive awards and scholarships throughout college. I was inducted into the Phi Upsilon Omicron National Honor society in family and consumer sciences. It was an honor to be apart of this society, due to the fact only ten people were chosen within my major. Students were chosen by grade point average and excellence in work experience. I also, received a College at Oneonta Foundation 20th Anniversary Scholarship, which was awarded to a student with a grade point average above 3.5 and extensive community involvement and dedication to the dietetic field. Lastly, the year I graduated I was awarded Best and Brightest, which is a award given to the top ten graduates in the class. Students are nominated by professors through work experience. It was an honor to be chosen. Furthermore, I am also certified through ServSafe, and have conducted my work within and outside of the kitchen to their guidelines and expectations.

 One of my most profound achievements I would like to touch on is my diabetes research. In my senior year of college I had the opportunity to work with Dr. Allan Green, PhD, who was my biochemistry professor at College of Oneonta. The goal of our research was to test the hypothesis that increased rate of glucose metabolism has the effect on glucose to increase the rate of lipolysis in adipocytes. To test this we investigated lipolysis and its regulation in isolated adipocytes from transgenenic mice that are deficient in the key glucose metabolism enzyme hexokinase II. Through this research we developed a new glucose assay for measuring glucose in human serum. I helped create a new lab class for the biochemistry students through these findings. Our research methods and outcomes will be published in the coming year.

Presentations

 Throughout my internship I presented many different studies, journals, and patient case studies, which demonstrate my effective written communication skills and professionalism. My presentations can be viewed throughout the tabs on this website. For publishing and information on my diabetes research, please feel free to view http://laurenzendarski.webs.com.

Professional Affiliations/Activities

I have been a member of Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics throughout my educational career. When living in New York I became a member of the New York State Dietetic Association. I was also involved in a Food and Nutrition club where I took part in many activities within the community of my college. I educated preschoolers on nutrition topics all the way up to adults. The club would also hold dinners, benefits, and food drives for events within the college or community. Within the club I also took part in making healthy lunches for the volunteers in habit for humanity. We would visit the sites where homes were being rebuilt and offer food and cold beverages.

After I moved to Texas I became a member of San Antonio Dietetic Association. The monthly meetings have been a great way to expand my knowledge on new nutrition research that is up and coming. Recently, I had the opportunity to go to the Texas Diabetes Association conference in San Antonio. There were many guest speakers and influential dietitians that I had the honor of meeting and listening to. As a intern it was great to have the opportunity to reflect and learn about other dietitians roles within the community and work place.

I am excited to be at this stage in my life, looking back on how much I've accomplished has taught me that I can achieve anything I set my mind to. I am excited for the future and to continue expanding my knowledge and expertise in the field of dietetics.

Contact Information

Email: Zendlj25@oneonta.edu or ljzendar@baptisthealthsystem.com

Phone: 607-759-9146

Statement of Originality & Confidentiality

This portfolio belongs to Lauren Zendarski. Do not copy without permission. Permission from each has been granted for the product to be used as documentation of Lauren's work.