Graduates' Testimonials
"I am incredibly grateful for the opportunities and experiences I gained through the University of Kentucky HealthCare Dietetic Internship. The program provided me with valuable exposure to a variety of specialized areas of nutrition, including pediatrics, critical care, and transplant nutrition, all unique experiences that helped broaden my clinical knowledge and strengthen my skills as a dietitian. One of the most valuable aspects of this internship was the balance between individualized, one-on-one guidance and the independence to work through challenges, build confidence, and develop my MNT skills. The preceptors are not only knowledgeable and experienced but also genuinely invested in the growth and success of their interns. Although the internship was challenging, it was equally rewarding. The hands-on experiences, supportive preceptors, and opportunities for professional growth prepared me to confidently transition into an entry-level dietitian role in both clinical and outpatient settings. I am thankful for the strong foundation this program provided and would highly recommend it to future dietitians looking for a challenging, supportive, and well-rounded internship experience."- Graduate of the 2025–2026 Dietetic Internship Class
"I could tell you that the University of Kentucky Hospital Dietetic Internship is unmatched in the way it prepares you to become a clinical dietitian. I could tell you about the incredible variety of rotations, the autonomy you are given, or the perspective I gained from experiences like living with a host family during my community rotation in rural Kentucky. But none of those things are ultimately why I ranked this program as my first choice.
I ranked Kentucky first because I could feel the warmth of the program through a Zoom screen. After interviewing with nearly ten other programs, my first conversation with the Kentucky team felt different. It felt genuine. I could immediately tell that this was a group of people who cared deeply not only about developing excellent dietitians, but about the interns themselves.
That feeling only became stronger once I joined the program. The team continuously evolves the internship based on intern feedback. They find ways to make a rigorous program genuinely fun. They give you freedom to make projects and presentations your own, trust you with meaningful responsibility, challenge you clinically, and support you while you grow into it.
I am now pursuing my doctorate in clinical nutrition, surrounded by RDs with years more professional experience than I have, and I consistently feel that Kentucky prepared me to contribute at that level. In some areas, I have even had clinical experiences that more seasoned dietitians have not. I have also worked in long term care and one on one nutrition practice, where colleagues have come to me for clinical input despite my being relatively early in my career. I credit so much of that confidence and versatility to this internship.
One of the biggest lessons I have learned through years of education is that the best teachers are not simply the people who know the most. They are the people who genuinely love what they teach and care about the people they are teaching. The remarkable thing about Kentucky is that its team has both.
Choosing this internship was one of the best decisions I have made for my career. I would choose it again without hesitation." -Graduate of the 2024-2025 Dietetic Internship Class
“From clinical knowledge and experience to learning how to work with team members, nothing could have prepared me better for my current role and to be sent out with the opportunity to pursue a career in dietetics. I have consistently felt at ease and prepared for situations and circumstances that come with my job. It also taught me what questions to ask and how to continue seeking knowledge and growth which is so needed in the pediatric world. It would be easy to choose this internship again.” --Graduate of the 2022–2023 Dietetic Internship Class
“The University of Kentucky Hospital Dietetic Internship was everything I expected and more. This internship is challenging yet very rewarding and allows you to make professional connections that will help you throughout your career. You will be able to enhance your time management skills as well as communication skills while interacting with a variety of professionals on the interdisciplinary times. This is an amazing opportunity for those seeking to be a clinical dietitian as there is a wide range of rotations to be completed. All of the preceptors at this internship will motivate you and push you to do your very best and are always available to help answer any questions you may have. I gained a plethora of knowledge during the 10 months that made me more than ready to be a successful entry level dietitian. I am very happy I matched to UK Hospital, and I wouldn’t have wanted to be anywhere else.” -- Graduate of the 2021–2022 Dietetic Internship Class
Employer testimonials
“[-] is a joy. His positive, can-do attitude has brought a new level of invigoration and motivation to our RD team. His clinical knowledge and skills are excellent and have exceeded expectations for someone of his experience level, especially in the area of pediatrics. He has quickly become a leader amongst his peers and is not afraid to take on any challenge that has come before him, including complicated clinical situations, tough conversations with families, and communication with physicians and other members of his large clinical teams. He is calm and confident, but open to guidance and mentoring and knows that he still has much to learn.”
“Kudos to your internship program- [-] has been able to operate at a much higher level than one would expect from a new grad.”
“[-] is a phenomenal clinician. She has a wonderful clinical knowledge foundation that allows her to apply her understanding to a variety of situations. She quickly adapts to changes and demonstrates great empathy with her patients. She is self-motivated and eager to take on new challenges. Her team loves working with her and she has been a great reference to our own interns. We are so pleased that she decided to join our team.”
“[-] has excelled as a entry level dietitian with our clinical dietitian team. She frequently references her experiences at UK! Thanks for preparing her to exceed expectations in her current role.”