Today we’d like to introduce you to Hoda Hakimjavadi.
Hi Hoda, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
I grew up in southern California and received my Bachelor’s degree from UCLA. I went on to obtain a four-year graduate degree in Nutrition & Dietetics at California State University, Northridge. I then completed my degree as a Registered Dietitian, Nutritionist after conducting clinical rotations at Cedars Sinai Hospital.
This path was unexpected as I was originally a pre-med student at UCLA. However, when my dad had health complications that lead to his hospitalization in my junior year of college, I changed the direction of my career. Seeing the direct correlation of his disease state to diet and lifestyle was extremely eye opening.
I delved into researching how my father can improve his health with changing his eating habits while reading more on the impact of food on preventing disease. I became enamored by the subject and from that point on, I never looked back.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Besides the many years of schooling while working part-time on the weekends at a hospital to obtain more experience in the field, the biggest challenge I faced as a student was during my clinical rotations. We are placed in an acute critical setting working with other dietitians that have an abundance of knowledge just out of our four years graduate program. The hours were long and the expectations were high, however with that came a great deal of growth that allowed me the opportunity to take on my current role at UCLA hospital.
Another more recent bump in the road came when the world was hit with COVID-19. As healthcare workers, we had no idea what to expect. We all had to show up every day and be positive for our patients in the midst of it all. It’s amazing to see how far along we have all come and I personally feel so blessed that I was able to continue working through the multiple surges we have experienced thus far.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
I currently work as a Clinical Dietitian at UCLA Ronald Reagan hospital where I work with critically-ill patients. I see patients of different age groups with a variety of disease states. Many of our patients are in the ICU requiring intubation and alternative feeding. As a clinical dietitian it is my primary role to make sure that while patients are in this state, they are being provided with tube feeding or IV nutrition (TPN) to help provide them with the proper nutrition their bodies need for their current health status.
I love being an integral part of the multi-disciplinary approach to a patient’s care. Their nutrition while in the hospital setting is an important component and I am honored to take that role on.
I also get to work with the most brilliant and dedicated individuals at UCLA. Starting my career here and growing here is what has allowed me to thrive as a clinical dietitian.
What does success mean to you?
Being able to help people. Nothing feels as rewarding and I feel that when I help others in my field of work, I am succeeding.
Contact Info:
- Email: [email protected]
- Website: HealthyByHoda.com
- Instagram: HealthyByHoda
Image Credits
Melina Farahmand
