Dietetic Internship at the USC UCEDD at Childrens Hospital Los Angeles

Purpose: The dietetic internship works to improve the nutritional health of children with special health care needs by producing dietitians able to serve this population. Interns develop skills and insights in: (a.) the delivery of service and (b.) the creation, implementation and evaluation of policies in maternal and child health.

The Dietetic Internship Program at the USC University Center for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities is one of three internship programs with a special emphasis in pediatrics and has a 20-year long history of creating leaders within the pediatric nutrition community.

Curriculum: The program provides specialized training in pediatrics and developmental disabilities through the Leadership Education in Neurodevelopmental Disabilities (LEND) Interdisciplinary Training Program. The LEND program offers interns an opportunity to interact with trainees from up to 12 other disciplines.

The internship spans 20 months during which interns gain experience in the nutrition care process in inpatient, outpatient and community based settings. Thus, the program provides a well-rounded curriculum which prepares the graduate not only for a career in pediatric dietetics/nutrition, but also to function as a member of an interdisciplinary health care team and to assume a leadership role in community/state programs focused on improving the health of children and their families.