James J. Peters Bronx VA Medical Center
Quotes From James J. Peters VAMC Dietetic Internship Program Graduates
"From the 1:1 preceptor to intern ratio, to the diversity of rotations, to the friendships developed with fellow interns, this internship is truly special. The JJPVA DI provides a solid foundation that can take aspiring dietitians anywhere they wish to go in their career. I am so appreciative for all that I’ve learned during my time here and feel more than prepared for my next role in this field. While a challenging experience, it is incredibly rewarding with all the support and encouragement along the way."
- Nicole Musco, Class of 2024
“The James J Peters Dietetic Internship has truly prepared me to be an excellent dietitian and clinician, and I cannot imagine completing my internship elsewhere. The highlight of this program is the quality of preceptors, and the care they put in to individualizing each intern’s experience to support them based on how they learn best. The level of support and breadth of clinical experiences offered are unique to this program. At the end, I feel confident in my abilities to practice independently. Finally, the internship director goes above and beyond to ensure each intern is satisfied with their learning experience during every minute of the 12-month program.”
- Madeline Mills, Class of 2024
"I feel confident saying that I am leaving this internship so much more prepared for being an RD than I could have imagined. I am very grateful for all the preceptors and everyone else involved with the DI program at JJPVA who work so hard to help us learn and grow best RDs we can be."
- Eva Lewandowski, MS, Class of 2023
- Gabrielle Kishner, Class of 2023
"The JJPVA DI helped me to discover my potential as a future clinician through 1:1 training with preceptors, working closely with my intern class, and providing a roster of different clinical rotations. Not only was this experience what I wanted, but it was exactly what I needed to take steps forward in the field of dietetics. I am so grateful to have applied and matched to this program."
- Jessica Foung, Class of 2023
"The JJP VA DI offers unparalleled training to become a clinical Registered Dietitian. The mentorship I received from preceptors and the hands-on experience I gained from diverse rotations fully prepared me with the skills and confidence to succeed in the field of dietetics.Throughout the program, I developed deep and long-lasting relationships both with the clinical staff I worked under and my peer group of dietetic interns."
- Jocelyn Wells, MS, RD, Class of 2022
"The preceptors in this program are truly dedicated to the success of the program's interns, and you can tell they absolutely love what they do and they love sharing it with the interns! Another plus is getting to share an office with your fellow interns, making the program a bonding experience and fostering a sense of community that many other internships lack. The program will push you in many ways but it will most definitely shape you into a strong clinician by the time you're done!"
- Ava Nouri-Mahdavi, MS, RD, Class of 2022
"I don’t think I would have left any other internship feeling as capable and prepared to work as a dietitian than I did after my experience at JJPVA. Each preceptor guided interns towards critical thinking which in turn, gave us the mean to feel confident in our clinical abilities. Other than a unique learning experience, my time at JJPVA delivered lifelong friendships within my internship class and professional networking opportunities in the Greater New York area. Almost anywhere you work after this internship, you will find someone who has completed their DI here."
- Caitlin A. Ryan, MS, RD, Class of 2021
- Alexandra D’Adamo, MS, RD, Class of 2020
"The preceptors are very passionate about the field and dedicated to their patients. From motivational interviewing to writing tube feed orders, the educational experiences available in each rotation molded me into the future RD that I always hoped to be!"
- Erica Salehi, MS, RD, Class of 2020
“The Bronx VA dietetic internship provided me with the tools and confidence I needed to be a good clinician. I loved being part of the VA family so much that I came back to work for the JJPVA as the medicine/surgery dietitian shortly after graduating from the program.”
- Nahyeli Perpina Aquino, MS, RD, Class of 2019
“My favorite thing about the JJPVA dietetic internship is the small class size. Each intern is able to grow their skills in a supportive and challenging environment, while developing close relationships with both preceptors and their fellow interns. The JJPVA DI program allowed me to develop into a confident, capable dietitian, brought me some of my closest personal friendships, and led me to a career I love with the VA. I look back on my time as an intern as one of the best, and hardest, years of my life, and if I could do it over again, I wouldn't change a thing.”
- Megan Stoutz, MS, RD, Class of 2017
"Applying to the JJPVA Dietetic Internship was one of the best decisions I ever made. The rotations were exciting, projects were challenging, and preceptors were very knowledgeable. Every day was a high-quality learning experience and the best part was helping our Veterans! Overall, I could not have asked for a better foundation to initiate my career at the VA."
- Alessandra Byer, MS, RD, Class of 2017
"JJPVA DI creates the perfect environment for nurturing an intern into an RD. The intimate teaching process of the 1:1 intern-preceptor ration and the friendly intern office allows you to grow with the help of friends and teachers. The knowledge gained from each preceptor and fellow intern is indispensable."
- Brandon Caraballosa, MS, RD, Class of 2016
"The quality of instruction and commitment to excellence upheld by the dietitians at the Bronx VA are unparalleled. In each rotation, it felt like I had a personal cheerleader who wanted nothing more than to help me learn and to succeed in both my long-term and short-term goals. After 12 months of hands-on experience working side-by-side with this talented group of dietitians, I feel confident and excited to finally begin my career as an RD."
- Samantha Virgadamo, MS, RD, Class of 2016
"I felt lucky walking into the JJPVA every single day. I can't imagine a better patient population and interdisciplinary team to work with. The combination of diverse clinical inpatient, outpatient and community rotations made the entire year exciting and challenging. This is a once in a lifetime experience, and I am forever grateful for the opportunity to learn so much alongside our nations Veterans."
- Lisa Ganguzza, MS, RD, Class of 2012
“Nowhere else will you gain as in-depth exposure to a broad range of clinical settings, receive one-on-one mentoring/supervision, and have the opportunity to make a difference in people's health outcomes. I feel very prepared for whatever awaits me in my first job after this VA internship."
- Yuuki Nakayachi, MS, RD, Class of 2010
"Working one-on-one with the preceptors in this internship was very beneficial to developing my clinical nutrition skills, and it was nice that the staff is so dedicated to the internship. Plus, there's something about the Bronx VA staff, everyone is always so friendly!"
- Kelly Moltzen, MPH, RD, Class of 2010
- Colleen D. Webb, MS, RD, Clinical Dietitian, Class of 2010
Updated: June 2024
