Her Story
About Carol
I started my healthcare career in 1985 with an Associates in Nursing from Lancaster School of Nursing in Pennsylvania. After that, I became an RD (Registered Dietitian), and then obtained my Bachelor's of Science in Nutrition from Keiser University. I'm currently working on my master's in Nutrition and Leadership, also at Keiser University. Today, I work as a senior dietitian in long-term care, where I oversee multiple facilities. I've had to develop some new strengths due to changing career paths. My primary focus now is on food and nutrition in its whole form for its nutrient powerhouse - that is, food in its natural state versus prepared foods. Farm to table is my thought process now, even in long-term care. I also serve as team leader for the traumatic brain injury unit at a neurological rehab hospital here in Florida. I work closely with a company called Oley (O-L-E-Y), an enteral nutrition formula company. When patients leave behind supplies from my facilities, I donate towards that for people who have no money for formula, helping to provide enteral nutrition for those who cannot get it otherwise. I'm a member of FAND, the Florida Associates for Nutrition and Dietetics. I was born and raised in New Jersey in the farm area, and my father's entire family were farmers, so this farm-to-table approach is deeply rooted in my background. I'm passionate about educating people on how food and nutrition can directly affect their lives - their own well-being, peace of mind, all of that goes hand in hand and is so important.
Her Interview
Ten minutes with Carol
01What do you attribute your success to?
I attribute my success to my father. A long time ago, he told me to always be self-reliant as a woman. He used my mom as a perfect example - my mother was a stay-at-home mom and she had little to no retirement plan because that was what she wanted to do. When I was young, in 1988, he told me, 'You can't afford to do that. You will not be able to afford to just be a stay-at-home mom. Focus on your career, the education you want. Never think you're too young to continue education.' My dad and his brother, my uncle, had five masters and multiple other degrees before he died. So they were both examples that education is never - you're never too young to become educated. You're never too young to use wisdom and to realize that your money does run out, and you gotta be smart about it.
02What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
The best career advice I ever received was from my father, who told me to always be self-reliant as a woman and to focus on my career and education. He said, 'You will not be able to afford to just be a stay-at-home mom. Focus on your career, the education you want. Never think you're too young to continue education. You're never too young to use wisdom and to realize that your money does run out, and you gotta be smart about it.' From a professional standpoint, I also received important advice from a professional nurse when dealing with patients: Never take anything personally from a patient. They're in their worst day of their life at that moment. Whatever they say that comes out that may not be pleasant is not necessarily directed to you. They're just angry.
03What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
Stay focused on the career immediately after you've completed your education.
04What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
The biggest challenge is human will - people don't necessarily understand the impact food can have on their life. The opportunity is education - educating people that food and nutrition can directly affect their lives. Just your own well-being, peace of mind, all of that goes hand in hand together and is so important for your well-being.
05What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
Integrity is most important to me - integrity covers so many things just in itself. But also dignity, maintaining dignity. I think that's really lacking nowadays, and people need to be dignified in their actions and words, and being able to have a civil conversation without it sounding coarse. You can do that day-to-day, for yourself and for the person you're talking to, in any situation. Maintain dignity.
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