High school student discovers calling in nutritional care
Wednesday, November 8, 2006 -- Natalie Miller
When Liz Machale began her co-op placement in the nutrition department at a long-term care home, her first instinct was to hide in an office so she didn’t have to interact with the seniors.

Things have changed since September. Not only has Liz recognized she enjoys the hands-on work of nutritional care, she has also developed a sincere appreciation for the residents of Springdale Country Manor.

“I’m really interested in nutritional care work,” says the Crestwood Secondary School student.

“I want to look for a career in this.” In fact, she’d like Ann Weldon’s job. Ann is Springdale’s nutritional care manager.

Initially interested in becoming a dietician, Liz looked to Springdale as a co-op placement opportunity mostly because of its convenient location to her home. “Now that I’m here, it’s a much better place than anywhere else I could be,” says Liz. “I like the people. They’re very open to letting me try new things.”

Liz has gained cooking experience, attended board meetings, helped with paperwork and assisted Ann with the organization of OMNI’s fall and winter 2006-07 menus. “I really like that variety,” she says. “Ann has been really kind.”

Given the opportunity to explore various facets of the job has helped Liz make some concrete decisions about her future. “I like the dietician aspect but I don’t like the clinical part of it. This co-op experience has let me know a little more specifically about what I want to do.”

Ann says Liz is an asset to her.

“She’s really enthusiastic,” says Ann.

“She’s learning the ropes.” Ann says Liz interacts well with the residents of the Springville nursing home. “She’s very conscientious about the elderly.”

Liz says gaining a comfort level with the elderly has also been a learning experience for her and has changed her perception about long-term care. “I didn’t think I would” enjoy working with the elderly, Liz admits. “I thought, ‘I’m just going to hide out in the office.’” However, she invested the time to sit and talk with the residents and she developed a new respect for them and discovered she could employ another passion as well – psychology, she says.

Liz is also attracted to the environment because “it seems more personal. It’s more like a family” as opposed to a clinical setting, she says.

The high school student has applied to take a food and nutrition course at Centennial College with a start date of the fall 2007.