Paola Bregni Ibarra receives 2024 outstanding dietetics student award

Congratulations to Paola Bregni Ibarra, a University of Washington student in the Graduate Coordinated Program in Dietetics (GCPD), who has received the 2024 Outstanding Coordinated Program Dietetic Student Award, given by the Washington State Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics (WSAND). 

Ibarra is a second year student at UW pursuing a Master of Science in Nutritional Sciences along with Registered Dietitian Nutritionist (RDN) training through the GCPD.  

Ibarra aims to eventually earn a doctorate in clinical nutrition and become a future leader in the rapidly growing field of pediatric and critical care nutrition.

As part of her training, she is completing the 9-month Pediatric Pulmonary Center (PPC) traineeship.  As a PPC trainee, she participates in mentored, hands-on, and didactic training in pediatric pulmonary care, focusing on interdisciplinary practice, leadership skills, and advocacy. The traineeship allows her to completed internship rotations in UWMC’s NICU, the Center on Human Development and Disability (CHDD)’s Phenylketonuria (PKU) clinic, Children’s Cystic Fibrosis (CF) service, and a variety of outpatient clinics serving children with pulmonary issues.

Ibarra received high praise from faculty mentors who say she is a dedicated individual who is passionate about clinical nutrition research.  During her first quarter as a master’s student, Paola presented three manuscript drafts from her previous undergraduate work in Guatemala, hoping to refine and publish them, demonstrating her deep desire to translate evidence into clinical practice recommendations. 

This annual award recognizes the emerging leadership and achievement of students in ACEND-accredited and approved dietetics education programs and encourages their participation in the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics.

GCPD Program Director Anne Lund said, “I am so pleased that Paola was recognized as outstanding. She is an exceptional individual and I am thrilled to see where she goes during her career. ” 

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Related:  Profile featuring Paola Bregni Ibarra

April 17, 2024