NvAND Member Spotlight: Ian Dodge

Ian Dodge completed his undergraduate degree at UNLV last year and is currently a Dietetic Intern and graduate student through the UNLV program. He is expected to finish his master’s degree in 2024 and his internship in August. Ian is also a part time faculty member at UNLV through the Department of Dance as his first degree many years ago was in Dance. He teaches two online Dance classes each semester. Ian has been a member of NvAND for 3-4 years when he first started taking nutrition courses. On the weekends, Ian also works at Sprouts part time. Ian was nominated for being someone who gives trustworthy nutrition advice. He is described as animated, enthusiastic, and passionate.

After finishing his internship, Ian plans to get his provision license, start studying for the RDN exam, and get a part-time clinical job while he is finishing his degree. His ultimate goal is to work in the community, specifically with the HIV/AIDS population.

Ian reflects that his fellow classmates refer to him as their “fairy godmother” because he is older, and this is his second career. He has already had a full-time career as a professional dancer. He comes with a little bit more life experience compared to his classmates. He said when you are in your 20s and not really sure about yourself it is helpful to have someone a little older than you on the journey that can speak to life experience. For his class and fellow dietetics interns, he said he is like a guru and can provide some really great advice on how to not be so anxious or nervous.

To make a difference once he becomes an RDN, Ian wants to work with the HIV/AIDS population. He says not a lot of RDs go into this area and there is a lot of misinformation about this disease. He says this disease is not created equal and a lot of people who have it are food insecure or homeless so he really wants to work in community to do what he can to help. He wants to help people get access to healthy food because with this disease if you do not have access to healthy food, it is that much more detrimental to a person’s health that is HIV/AIDS positive.

Ian wanted to remind fellow students to pause and remind ourselves why we got in this field in the first place. Are we getting bogged down or are we keeping that human connection?
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In his spare time, Ian loves to see his friends and rest or focus on self-care by meditating or going to the gym. People and building relationships are a huge part of Ian’s life and being social.

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