While many may call older college students untraditional, unstoppable would be a better fit for Michelle Duvall.  

 

After her daughter was diagnosed with Celiac Disease, she decided to abandon her finance career and pursue a degree in Human Food and Nutrition.  At 42, she will graduate Summa Cum Laude in December as a member of Gamma Sigma Delta, an Honor Society for Agriculture.  For her final semester of undergraduate studies, Duvall is also being featured in the national blog, culinarymedics.com as part of her internship.

 

“I chose my major because I wanted to help people who suffer from diseases that are affected by nutrition and food,” she said. 

 

Duvall registered for her internship with through the West Virginia University Registered Dietician program and was accepted in September.  The nationwide program is enables current juniors, seniors and graduate nutrition and dietician students to be matched with mentors through an elaborate network of professionals across the nation.

 

After completing an initial survey, mentees are chosen and partnered with mentors, where they have an immersive experience in the field for the year.  Duvall was partnered with Monica Joyce, MS, RDN, LDN, CDCES from Northwestern Medicine, who is also the co-owner of Culinary Medics, LLC.

 

“I have had the opportunity to meet with my mentor several times a week and work with some of her distinguished colleagues as well,” she said.

 

The hands-on internship which, most recently, afforded her the chance to create posts for her national blog, culinarymedics.com.  Duvall has created posts on mindful eating, evaluating the Mediterranean Diet, and choosing seasonal favorites for fall meals, among others.  

 

“I really enjoy researching the latest trends in nutrition and creating posts that highlight how good nutrition is accessible for all,” she said.  “The blog also has an interactive component that allows readers to ask questions and give input, which helps us to cater posts to them more efficiently.”

 

In addition to the blog, Duvall also prepares presentations for Zoom events held for patients and creates materials for patient education on such topics as diabetes, holiday eating and plant-based diets.  

 

In January, Duvall will be starting her Masters in Nutritional and Food Sciences at WVU.

 

“I have always been passionate about health and medicine and this program has allowed me to be fully immersed in the field,” she said.  “I look forward to continually learning more about how to help patients, whether in-person or through digital resources like the blog.”