This year Lacie Peterson was awarded UAND’s Emerging Dietetic Leader award.

The Emerging Dietetic Leader award recognizes the competence and activities of dietitians, regardless of age, who have made distinctive contributions early in their dietetics careers.

Throughout her dietetics career, Lacie has demonstrated “a natural ability to help others (students and co-workers) be the best they can be.” She has “a unique ability to find an individual’s barrier to succeeding and help them overcome it.” Lacie has been “an effective and engaging preceptor [who] set high expectations for students.” One student-turned-colleague who worked with Lacie noted, “I feel like I was able to improve my counseling skills and diabetes knowledge by leaps and bounds thanks to Lacie.”

In addition to her role as an encouraging colleague and inspiring preceptor, Lacie has often been sought after to present at conferences and make media appearances. Her assertiveness and passion for nutrition, in combination with her knowledge and expertise, have all been key in her becoming “a wonderful ambassador for leadership in dietetics.” In each position she has held, Lacie has put these qualities to good use.

Congratulations on receiving this award Lacie and thank you for your contributions to our profession! Read on to get to know her better:

Lacie M. Peterson, MS, RD, CDE

Where are you from?

I am originally from Southern California but as of this point I have lived half my life in California and half my life in Utah.

 What is your current position and place of employment?

I currently work for Utah State University and I am a Coordinator for the USU Dietetic Internship program.

 What dietetics related job/volunteer experiences have you enjoyed most?

I loved my time working in diabetes.  I had several amazing opportunities that I was involved in.  I worked in outpatient diabetes for 7 years but in that time I also started an inpatient diabetes education program at the University of Utah Hospital and initiated a medical nutrition therapy program in a primary care physicians office.  I love working with individuals one on one to achieve their lifestyle related goals.

What is your favorite recipe or food-related tradition?

Anything that has ginger in it!  I love to make pre-workout energy bars with dates, almond, dried cherries and ginger.  I also like to make ginger ice cream and apple ginger jelly.  I guess I also clearly like sweets!

 What made you choose dietetics for a career path?

I was very interested in food when I was in junior high and high school which initially sparked my interest in dietetics.  I grew up in a socioeconomically depressed area which lead to wide spread food insecurity and I also was heavily involved in sports.  Food was a main topic for most kids that I grew up with.  It was just a natural path that I continued on.

What advice do you have for young dietitians?

I have so much advice for young dietitians!  I will keep it brief…. Anything is possible in dietetics.  If you have a dream job you will find it, if you can’t find it then create it!  Be empathetic to your patients, see each individual as a person.  Especially the most difficult ones.  “Be kind- for everyone you meet in life is fighting a battle you know nothing about.”  -Wendy Mass

Where do you see yourself in 5 years?

I really do not know what the next 5 year will bring.  Knowing myself, it will be filled with mystery, excitement and adventure.  How that is related to dietetics I haven’t a clue.

What is your dream job?

My dream job would be providing education and counseling on a beach in Southeast Asia.  Not sure that is going to pay the bills so I would have to say that I have a really great job right now.  I spend my days working as part of a great team, continually increasing my own knowledge of dietetics and helping interns to complete their internship and ultimately find their own path in dietetics.  I feel extremely lucky on a daily basis.

If you could have a super power what would it be and why?

It would be difficult to choose between teleportation and self-duplication. I think both would be great.  I would like and be anywhere in the world and then make it to work every day or I could just send my “double” and hang out and do all the things that I want to do.

Anything else you’d like to share with UAND membership.

I have really enjoyed working as an RD in all of my different position.  I have enjoyed the people that I have met in my journey and the lives that I have helped to impact.  I think this is a great career and I am excited to see what the future holds.