In honor of Native American Heritage Month in November, the RDN DEI Network is featuring two Morrison Dietetic Interns who tell their stories of their indigenous heritage and their experiences in their DI program.
Hannah Greiner – Dietetic Intern, Morrison Healthcare
I am currently a dietetic intern completing my foodservice rotation through Morrison Healthcare located at Northwest Medical Center in Springdale, AR.
I am a registered citizen of the Cherokee Nation and make regular drives to Tahlequah, OK (considered official tribal land) where much of my extended family currently lives. My mom and I especially like driving out there (~1 hour) to see Cherokee related events, such as the Cherokee National Holiday in August and the Cherokee Arts Market in October. I am especially grateful to be a part of such a rich culture with an extensive history of strength and resilience!
Ultimately, I would love to work as a Registered Dietitian at the newly built Cherokee Nation Hastings Hospital in Tahlequah one day so that I’m not only close to family, but also the Cherokee community.
I recently attended the 73rd annual Cherokee National Holiday event this past August and really enjoyed getting a chance to tour the heirloom garden and watch a cooking demo by Cherokee’s own Chef Taelor Barton. I’m especially excited for Native American Heritage Month because of all the educational events that will be available throughout November. Community members always do an excellent job of making events both fun and educational; even though I’m Cherokee, I’m still learning new things about our history and culture every day. I was also fortunate enough to be able to take a family road trip to Cherokee, North Carolina a few years ago where our people were largely settled before they were pushed west during the Trail of Tears. This was an incredible experience: small Cherokee-owned shops situated at the base of the smokies—it was truly a sight to see!
Shannon Patovisti, MS, NDTR – Dietetic Intern, Morrison Healthcare
I am currently in the Dietetic Internship Program through Morrison Healthcare. This program is challenging me by promoting both professional and personal growth through the diverse rotations, including food service management, clinical, community, and more. I’ve already learned so much and have seen so much personal growth, I can’t wait to see what the next rotation holds!
Being Indigenous, harmony is at the center of everything we do. Harmony with ourselves, the land, and most importantly, with family. Both family and food are deeply nourishing forces, each serving a unique purpose in life. They work together to connect us with our ancestors, sustain our communities, and remind us of our responsibility to care for one another and the world around us. This aspect of love and community is what I appreciate most about being native; it’s an elemental force that drives connection to community, a sense of balance, gratitude, and respect for all living things. As I am focusing my energy on growing and learning as an RD2Be, I am taking many aspects of this sense of community, love, and respect into each conversation, and using this as a driving force for my (future) practices!
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