Sandra Bouma MS, RD, CSP, was interviewed by the Pediatric Section about her experience in nutrition support. Below, she shares some of her experiences.
What is your current job title and work location?
Clinical Nutrition Specialist/Dietitian Senior with the Pediatric BMT department at the University of Michigan’s C.S. Mott Children’s Hospital
What is your educational background?
I started out with a Bachelor of Science degree in Biology and Chemistry from Calvin College and went on to earn a Bachelor of Science degree in Nutrition from Michigan State University. My dietetic internship program at the Frances Stern Nutrition Center in Boston was combined with a Master of Science degree in Nutrition from Tufts University. I was in the inaugural class of 17 students who graduated from the Gerald J. and Dorothy R. Friedman School of Nutrition Science and Policy at Tufts University. Dr. Jean Mayer handed me my diploma.
How did you get involved in the field of clinical nutrition?
I love math, food, teaching and working as a part of an interdisciplinary team. It’s a perfect fit for me.
What specifically do you do in your current position?
For ten years, I have worked as the clinical nutrition specialist for the Pediatric Hematopoietic Cell Transplant (HCT) program doing inpatient and outpatient nutrition care. I actively participate in patient care rounds, assess nutritional status, write parenteral and enteral nutrition orders and provide nutrition education to our patients in the hospital, during the transition home and in outpatient clinic.
Nutrition is a top priority for all the members of the Pediatric HCT team, however, sometimes it is difficult within the confines of the hospital environment and the restraints of complex medical care to provide adequate nutrition. I have thrived on the challenge of being flexible and thinking outside the box to creatively provide nutrition support for our patients.
For the past four years, I have pioneered pediatric malnutrition research in our institution. This led to involvement on a wider level through interest in a diagnostic tool we developed called “MTool™: Michigan’s malnutrition diagnostic tool.” Most recently, I was invited by one of our attending physicians to lead a nutrition research study with our pediatric HCT patients. As of June 1st, I am on a temporary assignment with the pediatric HCT department to devise and lead this year long project.
Why did you become involved in A.S.P.E.N. and what are the benefits of being involved?
I love interdisciplinary work and I wanted contribute on a wider level by working with others on addressing pediatric malnutrition. Having been to several CNW conferences, I had heard the sales pitch to be involved and spoke with A.S.P.E.N. volunteers who told me that one of the reasons they volunteered was because the atmosphere was so collaborative. That has certainly been my experience. I have met such great people, some of whom have become good friends.
What recommendations would you give to someone just starting out in your field?
Pay attention to details. Think outside the box. Learn from other disciplines. Figure out how nutrition interfaces with the big picture and speak up. Connect with people. Laugh often. Always keep learning. Stay humble. In my experience, a humble person is not self-deprecating; rather a humble person is teachable. Some of the most influential and wisest people I know are humble (teachable).
