Dietetic Internship

We know many of you are eager to begin applying your nutrition knowledge and do not want to wait another year taking graduate courses before you begin hands-on training. Track 1, our Combined MS/DI program, would be ideal as coursework and internship rotations are integrated. Interns will begin online graduate coursework in late May 2023. After 14-weeks of acclimating to the demands of graduate coursework, interns will begin completing 20-24 hours per week in supervised practice rotations (in addition to completing graduate coursework) in September 2023.

Although the collaboration between the UChicago Medicine Ingalls Memorial Dietetics Internship Program and Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine and Science (RFUMS) is new, both institutions have over 25+ years of operating their respective programs. We are committed to working together to ensure a seamless application process and educational experience.

We also understand that many of you may have either already completed your graduate degree, or are currently enrolled in a graduate program and only need to complete a dietetic internship. We offer a part-time DI Only option (Track 2), that provides interns with flexibility in their schedule to meet other demands.

UChicago Medicine Ingalls Memorial can provide an experience that allows an intern to learn in an environment that has the sophistication of a big city hospital and the personalized care of a community hospital. In this unique setting, interns work in an atmosphere where a free exchange of ideas and learning is encouraged and at the completion of the program have developed the perspective and skills to be an asset in health care organizations and community wellness settings. Although much of the training will be provided at UChicago Medicine Ingalls Memorial, located in Harvey, IL, several weeks will be provided by affiliating organizations within the Chicago area. The internship director will locate all supervised practice sites for the interns. Many resources, such as a dedicated office space with a desk and computer, office supplies, exam review courses, and more are available throughout the internship program.

Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine and Science (RFUMS) has six colleges and offers over 30 programs, with extensive experience offering online coursework. The well-established MS degrees in Clinical & Lifestyle Nutrition and Nutrition Education are fully online and asynchronous, developed for busy working professionals. The majority of learning activities are projects based on your professional or personal areas of interest. The online graduate programs at RFUMS are accredited by The Higher Learning Commission.

The UChicago Medicine Ingalls Memorial Dietetic Internship Program is fully accredited by the Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics (ACEND). Continuation of full accreditation was granted in February 2017 for a term of seven years ending June 30, 2024. Our accreditation was recently extended to June 30, 2025, as a result of the pandemic.

 

ACEND is the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics' accrediting agency for education programs preparing students for careers as registered dietitian nutritionists (RDN) or nutrition and dietetic technicians, registered (NDTR). ACEND serves and protects students and the public by assuring the quality and continued improvement of nutrition and dietetics education programs. ACEND is recognized by the United States Department of Education (USDE). This affirms that ACEND meets national standards and is a reliable authority on the quality of nutrition and dietetics education programs.

Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics
120 S. Riverside Plaza, Suite 2190
Chicago, IL 60606-6995
Phone: 312.899.0040 (ext. 5400)
Fax: 312.899.4817
acend@eatright.org
www.eatright.org/acend

 

Program Mission Statement: “The UChicago Medicine Ingalls Memorial Dietetic Internship program will provide quality education and practical experience to our Dietetic Interns so they can become competent entry-level registered dietitians dedicated to providing compassionate care to the communities they serve.”

Goal 1: UChicago Medicine Ingalls Memorial Dietetic Internship will prepare graduates to competently perform professional positions in the area of food and nutrition as an entry-level registered dietitian nutritionist.

Objectives:

1. The program’s one-year pass rate (graduates who pass the registration exam within one year of first attempt) on the CDR credentialing exam for dietitian nutritionist is at least 80%.
2. At least 85% of program graduates take the CDR credentialing exam for dietitian nutritionist within 12 months of program completion.
3. Of graduates who seek employment, at least 85% are employed in nutrition and dietetics or related fields within 12 months of graduation.
4. After first year of employment, 75% of employers will rank “above average” in professional knowledge and skills as compared to other entry level dietitians.
5. At least 80% of interns complete program requirements within 30 months (150 percent of the program length)

Goal 2: UChicago Medicine Ingalls Memorial Dietetic internship will prepare graduates to become compassionate leaders in the communities that they serve.

Objective:

1. An average of 50 percent of graduates will report that they are employed in a management or director position; have been appointed or elected to a leadership position in a dietetic-related organization; or serve as preceptor within two years of program completion.

All program outcomes are available upon request.

Please contact:

Cheryl Bacon, MS, RDN, LDN, FAND
Director of the Dietetic Internship
708-915-5723
Cheryl.Bacon@uchicagomedicine.org

Class of 2025

Track 1: Combined MS/DI

• 20-month program from May 30, 2023 – February 7, 2025.
• 20-24 hours of supervised practice rotations per week
• May 30, 2023 – August 4, 2023: Online graduate courses (quarter system)
• August 14, 2023 – October 20, 2023: Online graduate courses
  • September 5, 2023: ONSITE for Dietetic Internship Orientation. All interns will need to reside in the Chicago-area by this date
• September 5, 2023 – February 7, 2025: Combined supervised practice/rotations and graduate coursework.

Track 2: DI Only

• 17-month program from September 5, 2023 – February 7, 2025.
• 20-24 hours of supervised practice rotations per week

Vacations and Breaks

• A total of 11-weeks of breaks are provided. These breaks align with RFUMS academic calendar and are scheduled the weeks of:
  • 11/20/2023
  • 12/25/2023
  • 1/1/2024
  • 2/26/2024
  • 5/6/2024
  • 5/13/2024
  • 8/5/2024
  • 8/12/2024
  • 11/25/2024
  • 12/23/2024
  • 12/30/2024

Holidays

The program respects all religious and/or cultural holidays. If an intern has a specific request, all efforts will be made to accommodate an excused absence.

The hospital observes the following holidays. There will be no internship or graduate school related activities scheduled for the following days:

• New Year's Day
• Independence Day
• Thanksgiving Day
• Memorial Day
• Juneteenth
• Labor Day
• Christmas Day

Rotations, (or supervised practice) will mostly occur Tuesday – Thursday each week. Interns are expected to work 8-hours each day they are scheduled in supervised practice, however, the start/stop times may vary each week depending upon the rotation as the intern will usually be scheduled to work the same hours as the preceptor. The majority of rotations take place from 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. One Friday a month, all interns will come together for team-based learning activities.

While some rotations will take place at UChicago Medicine Ingalls Memorial, our program has partnerships with over 20 organizations, providing our interns an opportunity to complete learning experiences in a variety of diverse settings within the Chicagoland area. Below is a summary of the planned rotation layout:

Orientation: 2-weeks
Clinical (Inpatient and Outpatient): 26-weeks
Foodservice and Management: 9-weeks
Community and Wellness: 9-weeks
Alternative (Foundation and Corporate): 5-weeks
Quality Improvement and Research: 4-weeks
Professional Development: 7-weeks

The UChicago Medicine Ingalls Memorial Dietetic Internship Program has 1084 planned supervised practice hours. Interns must complete all ACEND requirements and demonstrate competence by completing all learning objectives in a satisfactory manner. Upon successful completion of the dietetic internship program (and the completion of at least a master’s degree granted by a U.S. accredited college/university) the intern will receive a verification statement and will be eligible to take the Registration Examination for Dietitians to become credentialed as a registered dietitian nutritionist (RDN), through the Commission on Dietetic Registration (CDR).

Eligibility

Track 1 (Combined Master of Science/Dietetic Internship):

Eligible applicants must have either completed, or be in the process of completing, an ACEND-accredited Didactic Program in Dietetics (DPD). Applicants must meet the admission requirements in the RFUMS catalog currently in use. Unfortunately, international students are not considered for Track 1 at this time.

Track 2 (Dietetic Internship Only):

Eligible applicants must have either completed, or be in the process of completing, an ACEDN-accredited Didactic Program in Dietetics (DPD). Additionally, eligible applicants must also have either completed, or be in the process of completing, a graduate degree. Applicants who are currently in the process of completing a graduate degree must ensure that all course requirements will be met by the end of the supervised practice portion of the program (February 2025). International students will be considered if their OPT status requirements fit within our program structure. Please contact to the program director to learn more.

Application

Track 1 (Combined MS/DI):

We have streamlined the application process and applicants interested in the Combined MS/DI only need to apply to Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine and Science (RFUMS) graduate school ($75 fee). If accepted into RFUMS, your application will be shared with UChicago Medicine Ingalls Memorial for consideration of admission to the dietetic internship. Both organizations will work collaboratively to review all applications.

Apply to Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine and Science

IMPORTANT SPECIAL INSTRUCTIONS when applying to RFUMS:

Select which graduate program you are applying to (Note: programs are listed in alphabetical order. Only the two programs below are being offered in collaboration with the dietetic internship)

• MS in Clinical & Lifestyle Nutrition – Summer 2023
• MS in Nutrition Education – Summer 2023

There are 4 sections to the application: Personal Information, Academic History, Supporting Information, Program Materials

• Within the “Program Materials” section:
  • Check “Yes,” when asked “Are you applying to a Dietetic Internship?
    • Email the Dietetic Internship Program Director to notify them of your application to RFUMS.
  • Personal Statement: Within your graduate school personal statement, applicants MUST include a response to the following question:
    • Why are you interested in becoming an intern at the UChicago Medicine Ingalls Memorial Dietetic Internship Program?
• Within the “Optional Documents – Certifications” section: Upload either your Verification Statement or Declaration of Intent from an ACEND-approved Didactic Program in Dietetics
  • Download the Ingalls "Declaration of Intent" form. Forms must be completed by your DPD program director and submitted with your RFUMS application. 
  • Check “Yes,” when asked to give permission to release your RFUMS application to UChicago Medicine Ingalls Memorial Dietetic Internship
    • If you do not check yes, UChicago Medicine Ingalls Memorial Dietetic Internship will not be able to view your application, and thus, you will not be considered for the dietetic internship program.
• For specific questions about the admission process for RFUMS, please click here. For questions regarding the nutrition graduate degree programs, please contact the program chair.

Track 2 (DI Only):

Complete and submit the Dietetic Internship Centralized Application Services (DICAS) application

DICAS can be accessed at http://dicas.liaisoncas.com
Search “UChicago Medicine Ingalls Memorial Dietetic Internship” to learn of additional application requirements. In brief, you will be required to submit:

• Resume
• DPD Course List Form
• Verification Statement or Declaration of Intent from an ACEND-approved Didactic Program in Dietetics
• Transcript
• Personal Statement
• One Letter of Recommendation

Track 2 (DI Only): UChicago Medicine Ingalls Memorial requires a $60 application fee payable to Ingalls Memorial Hospital. The fee should be mailed to:

Cheryl Bacon, MS, RDN, LDN, FAND
Director of Dietetic Internship
UChicago Medicine Ingalls
One Ingalls Drive
WLL045
Harvey, IL 60426-3558

Application Deadline for BOTH Track 1 (Combined MS/DI) and Track 2 (DI Only)

The UChicago Medicine Ingalls Memorial Dietetic Internship Program participates in D&D Digital Match. Applicants must register online at www.dnddigital.com, pay the computer match fee by credit card and enter their contact information and Dietetic Internship preferences by 11:59 pm Central Time February 15, 2023. Both the graduate school application (Track 1: Combined MS/DI) or the DICAS application (Track 2: DI Only) must be received by the D&D Digital deadline date.

Additional details can be obtained at the D&D Digital website at https://www.dnddigital.com/ada/index.php or at https://www.eatrightpro.org/acend/students-and-advancing-education/dietetic-internship-match-students, and click on “Future Computer Matching Dates.”

D&D Digital
3100 S. Riverside Dr.
P.O. Box 887
Ames, IA 50010
Phone: 515.292.0490
Fax: 515.663.9427
E-Mail: dnd@sigler.com
Web page: www.dnddigital.com

Applicants will be notified if they are selected for an interview, which will take place March 15th – March 17th, 2023. If not selected for an interview, the applicant will not be moving forward in our selection process.

An Internship Selection Committee and will review all applicants. At UChicago Medicine Ingalls Memorial, we welcome applicants from all academic backgrounds and aim to recruit applicants dedicated to promoting and diversifying our profession.

SPECIAL NOTE for Track 1 (Combined MS/DI): Applicants who meet the admission requirements in the RFUMS catalog currently in use and application procedures described above will be reviewed by the appropriate RFUMS program Admissions Committee. Only applicants who meet the admission criteria for RFUMS will be considered for the appointment to the UChicago Medicine Ingalls Memorial Dietetic Internship Program. Apply to Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine and Science. PLEASE NOTE: Acceptance to RFUMS does not guarantee acceptance to the Dietetic Internship, however, acceptance to RFUMS is required for acceptance into the Dietetic Internship.

A rubric is used to evaluate all eligible applicants for the dietetic internship. Below is a summary (in descending order) of our rating criteria:

40 points – Experiences: Experiences do not have to be directly nutrition-related. We are evaluating the following skills and behaviors in any work settings as we believe these valuable skills/behaviors are transferrable and may contribute to your success in the profession: Evidence of high responsibility [training/supervisor/manager], time management, problem solving, ability to work with others, leadership. No points are awarded for experiences in which the applicant earned Academic Credit.

40 points – Personal Statement: Your personal statement will be evaluated on the basis of composition and clarity of thought. Points will be subtracted for grammatical and spelling errors.

• Track 1 (Combined MS/DI): Personal statement per RFUMS guidelines. Applicants MUST include a response to the following question: Why are you interested in becoming an intern at the UChicago Medicine Ingalls Memorial Dietetic Internship Program?
• Track 2 (DI Only): 3000-4000 character essay stating your reasons for wanting to pursue a career in nutrition and dietetics. Indicate how the dietetic internship program will help you achieve your future career plans and list professional goals you wish to achieve. Please note qualities you feel will make you a successful intern at UChicago Medicine Ingalls Memorial. Applicants MUST include a response to the following question: Why are you interested in becoming an intern at the UChicago Medicine Ingalls Memorial Dietetic Internship Program?

30 points – Academics: Minimum GPA is 2.75 on a 4.0 scale and GRE scores are not required.
Scoring: Less than 3.0 = 0 pts; 3.0 – 3.25 = 10 pts; 3.26 – 3.49 = 20 pts; 3.5 – 4.0 = 30 pts.

20 points – Activities: We are looking for evidence of leadership positions and active involvement in organizations.

No points – Letter of Recommendation: While we do not award points for the letter of recommendation, we will subtract points from the overall application if the reference notes any concerning attributes (i.e. tardiness, lack of critical thinking, inability to work in a team setting, lack of professionalism, etc.). We have no set criteria on who the recommendations should come from, however, we recommend you select an individual who you have a good professional relationship with that can speak to your strengths and what you can contribute to our program and the profession.

Track 1 (Combined MS/DI):

Applicants who meet the admission requirements in the RFUMS catalog currently in use and application procedures described above will be reviewed by the appropriate RFUMS program Admissions Committee, and if they are deemed admissible as defined by RFUMS, will receive a conditional offer of admission.

• Only applicants deemed acceptable by the appropriate RFUMS program admissions committee will be considered for listing on the D&D Digital match rank list.
  • PLEASE NOTE: Acceptance to RFUMS does not guarantee acceptance to the Dietetic Internship, however, acceptance to RFUMS is required for acceptance into the Dietetic Internship.
  • You may get an acceptance letter from RFUMS prior to match day, however, you do not need to confirm your enrollment until after you learn you were matched with our dietetic internship.

Track 1 (Combined MS/DI) and Track 2 (DI Only):

Notification of the internship appointment will be received according to the dates established by D&D Digital. A response by telephone, email or fax for all appointments must be received on appointment day to confirm acceptance of the match.

• Upon acceptance into the program, applicants must provide an original transcript confirming, at minimum, a bachelor's degree and an ACEND-accredited Didactic Program in Dietetics (DPD) Verification Statement. Any discrepancies between the on-line application and the official transcript may disqualify an applicant.
• Once accepted, a physical examination, immunization records, background check and a drug screen will be required during the internship’s orientation.

Track 1 (Combined MS/DI) and Track 2 (DI Only): Intern must complete a minimum of 1000 supervised practice hours and show evidence of competence in all required CRDNs (core Competencies for the Registered Dietitian Nutritionist) as set forth by the Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics (ACEND).

Verification Statements will be signed for dietetic interns who successfully complete the requirements of the UChicago Medicine Ingalls Memorial Dietetic Internship and have earned a graduate degree. A verification statement is a method used by ACEND and accepted by the Commission on Dietetic Registration to ensure that supervised practice requirements has been met and the intern is eligible to sit for the national credentialing exam.

Track 1 (Combined MS/DI): Students must meet the following program graduation requirements at RFUMS.

There are 2 separate tuition expenses – one for the dietetic internship program and one for the graduate degree. All expenses including tuition, fees, housing, meals and transportation are the responsibility of the intern.

Dietetic Internship Costs (Class of 2025)

Tuition: $11,500.00

Fees: $300.00

Malpractice Insurance: (annually) $26.00

Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics Student Membership: (annually) $58.00

Living Expense Estimate: Varied. Housing cost will vary based on where the intern chooses to live in the Chicagoland area, including surrounding suburbs. Interns will receive a list of fellow interns to assist in arranging for shared housing expenses, if desired. Learn more about average rent in the Chicagoland area.

Transportation Expense Estimate: Varied. A car is essential. Cost will vary depending on living location, assigned rotation site, and current gas prices. The intern is responsible for the cost of their transportation to and from rotation sites and other assigned program related activities. Parking is free at Ingalls and the majority of rotation sites, but there may be an additional parking expense at certain rotation sites. The Class of 2023 interns live an average of 21 miles away (range; 15 – 38 miles) from UChicago Medicine Ingalls Memorial in Harvey, IL. Reviewing gas prices can help you to determine an estimated transportation expense.

Books and other resources: $0.00. The intern does not need to purchase any books for the dietetic internship program. Copies of all references are onsite for intern use. Scrubs and lab coats will be purchased for you as part of tuition cost. Each intern will be provided a desk and laptop computer. Additional office supplies are available for use (binders, folders, post-it notes, pens, highlighters, calculators, staplers, etc.). A printer and Xerox machine are available free of charge.

UChicago Medicine Ingalls Memorial provides $40 toward meal allowance per week in the UChicago Medicine Ingalls Memorial cafeteria.

Estimated Graduate School Cost

RFUMS is pleased to be able to offer OUR dietetic interns a 15% tuition scholarship.

• Cost per credit hour: $697* (with 15% scholarship - $593), plus annual university fees ($550) and graduation fee ($100)
• MS in Clinical and Lifestyle Nutrition: 45-credits (estimated tuition*: $26,700)
• MS in Nutrition Education: 46-credits (estimated tuition*: $27,300)

Financial Aid at RFUMS may be available.

Estimated TOTAL Costs for program

• Track 1 (Combined MS/DI): $40,400*
• Track 2 (DI Only): $11,900

*For the 2022 - 2023 academic year. Tuition and fees are subject to change. Please visit RFUMS website for additional information on annual RFUMS cost and fees.

We highly encourage you to attend one of our Open House events to learn more about our program. Our virtual open houses will include a program overview by the director of the dietetic internship, a description of the available graduate programs offered by RFUMS by the chair of department of nutrition at RFUMS, and an opportunity to meet with current interns.

Virtual: Friday, December 16, 2022 from 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. CENTRAL TIME

• Register in advance for this meeting:
• https://ucmedicinegroup.zoom.us/meeting/register/tJEqcOGpqDkiH9BDF0rvxyukw1m-bwljj14p
• After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting.

Virtual: Friday, January 13, 2023 from 9:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. CENTRAL TIME

• Register in advance for this meeting:
• https://ucmedicinegroup.zoom.us/meeting/register/tJMscO-rpzoqGtzQQuk3z5txTO0-sWkT7Sn8
• After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting.

If you are unable to attend either of these events and would like additional information about the program, or prefer to schedule a time to visit the hospital, please contact the program director:

Call 708-915-5723 or e-mail Cheryl.Bacon@uchicagomedicine.org.

UChicago Medicine Ingalls Memorial is a large modern community hospital. Because of the breadth of our facility, many of the learning experience can be completed at UChicago Medicine Ingalls Memorial, in Harvey, IL. This provides the intern stability to learn in one physical location before adapting and applying core skills in different settings.

The dietitians have a high level of expertise and autonomy which is utilized by the medical staff. For instance, diets and enteral feedings are primarily managed by dietitians.

The hospital serves a community of many socio-economic levels and cultural backgrounds, providing learning experiences in the counseling and education of patients and employees in these populations. Interns build their public speaking skills by researching and developing presentations for both community audiences, as well as professional audiences.

There are a total of nine Registered Dietitian Nutritionists (RDN) on staff at UChicago Medicine Ingalls Memorial include: six clinicians, one outpatient oncology clinician, one clinical nutrition manager, and the dietetic internship director. In addition, interns work under the supervision of RDNs at our affiliate healthcare and community sites.

Many interns live with relatives, friends or fellow interns within the surrounding communities and commute to UChicago Medicine Ingalls Memorial and other rotation sites. Those interns who need to rent housing in the area usually share apartments with fellow interns. Information on living areas and interns needing roommates will be provided after you have accepted an appointment at UChicago Medicine Ingalls Memorial. Learn more about average rent in the Chicagoland area.

Yes, over the past three years 93 percent (27/29) of our graduates have successfully passed the CDR Registration examination within one year following first attempt; 96 percent (26/27) have found employment in dietetics or began graduate studies within one year of graduation.

Financial Aid may be available for the graduate program at RFUMS only.

The Dietetic Internship at UChicago Medicine Ingalls Memorial does not offer financial aid. Loan forbearance requests are honored. Scholarships are available through the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics Foundation. Please visit https://www.eatrightfoundation.org/why-it-matters/scholarships/ for more information.

For the Dietetic Internship at UChicago Medicine Ingalls Memorial, all tuition payment options are accepted: personal checks, credit card (no fees) or any combination of payment methods. Please contact the program director to discuss payment options.