WITH A DIETITIAN interview

Terry Harris

What made you choose dietetics?

The first time I met a dietitian was when I was in high school. She empowered me with knowledge, skills and confidence to make healthier food choices that were life changing. I wanted to help people in a similar way.

Where did you study?

I completed a Bachelor of Science degree majoring in Physiology and Microbiology at Wits University, followed by an Honours degree in Nutrition and Dietetics at the University of Cape Town. After a few years of working, I needed a new challenge, so I enrolled for a part-time Masters degree in Nutrition at North-West University (Potchefstroom).

Career path- tell us about your journey and where you find yourself now.

After completing my community service year, I started a private practice and met Gabi Steenkamp and other private practicing dietitians. Through this, I was introduced to Juliet Fearnhead who gave me the opportunity to work at Pick n Pay as the dietitian in the Corporate Foods division, where the main purpose of my role involved providing nutritional information and guidance to the business as well as to customers. This enabled me to work with the Discovery Vitality clinical team on the Vitality HealthyFood benefit, of which Pick n Pay is a partner. After a number of years, I moved across to Discovery Vitality as Head Dietitian where my key role was developing innovative health behaviour change programmes to improve the nutritional status of members. I have recently moved into the role of a product owner in the Vitality Member Experience team, still working on the HealthyFood benefit but now from a business angle. I am also responsible for the HealthyDining and HealthyCare benefits. The key objectives of this role are to reduce barriers and to utilize behavioural economics to nudge members to make healthy choices.

What are your career highlights?

Proud achievements or milestones?

Forcing myself out of my comfort zone to study a part-time Masters degree, leading Vitality’s nutrition strategy for 9 years and most recently stepping out of nutrition into a business role.

If you could go back in time, what advice would you give to your younger dietitian self?

“You are enough.”

Advice for dietitians considering work in your area?

Consider yourself a nutrition behaviour change specialist as this makes dietetics tangible and practical for people to understand and relate to. It is incredibly enriching to learn from all professions and highly recommended to spend time understanding the scope and impact of marketing, legal, compliance, finance, systems development, commercial and project management teams.

What do you love most about the dietetics profession?

It is a privilege to enable people to make better food choices for themselves and their families.

If you have an interesting career story or community service experience you’d like to share, please contact adsacomms@gmail.com. We’d love to hear about your experience.

18-20 APRIL 2023

‘The congress programme is packed with diversity, true to the congress theme. I am looking forward to the congress, not only as an opportunity to be updated on the latest evidence in nutrition, but to be part of discussions on how education, collaboration and unique ways of communication can enhance the position of nutrition and the related professions.’ - Maria van der Merwe, ADSA President 2021-2023

SOMERSET-WEST, WESTERN CAPE

You can find more information at the congress website.

18-20 APRIL 2023 https://conference.eventsair.com/QuickEventWebsitePortal/2023-nutrition/nutrition2023 touch

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