Rebecca McCullough, R.D.

Details

Director of Nutrition, Health & Wellness, Senior Culinary Group (Unidine)
Boston, MA
Age: 26
Education: B.S. in dietetics from Central Arkansas University
Years at organization: 3

Why Selected?

According to Jenny Overly, director of nutrition, health & wellness, innovations at Unidine, Rebecca has enhanced foodservice by:

Get to know

Q. What has been your proudest accomplishment?

My role in the corporatewide rollout of Unidine’s signature program, Fresh Benefits, which I worked on closely with our corporate team for the past three years. Fresh Benefits allows patients and residents to receive extra calories and protein to meet nutritional needs without relying on commercial supplements. All the menu items are prepared fresh in house using natural foods that are enhanced with calorically dense ingredients and protein. It truly showcases how clinical and culinary integration enhances quality of life and dignity within our healthcare and senior living communities.

Q. What's the best career advice you've been given?

Be yourself, work hard and remember to always have fun with whatever you pursue.

Q. What's been the biggest challenge you've had to overcome?

The biggest challenge, being so involved in both the clinical and social aspect of long-term care, is getting attached to residents.

Q. What's been your most rewarding moment?

When I was based at one of our accounts as the clinical nutrition manager and our team created enriched smoothies to replace commercial supplements. One of our residents on a tube feed wasn’t consuming enough nutrients and calories orally and she refused to drink the commercial supplements when we tried to wean her off the tube. We started her on enriched smoothies and eventually got her weaned. Her husband came every afternoon to sit with her while she drank the smoothies and wrote me a personal thank-you letter saying how my ability to think outside the box truly enhanced her nutrition and showcased how much I truly cared.

Q. What would you like to accomplish in your career in the next two years?

I would like to become more involved with dietetic internships and Unidine partnerships.   

Q. What's been your funniest on-the-job disaster?

I was walking through the airport to my gate, wondering why so many people were looking at me strangely, until I boarded the plane and realized I still had my hairnet on.