Meet Our Graduates
Meet some of Cox College’s Master of Science in Nutrition Diagnostics / Dietetic Internship graduates.
Jason Bauer MHA, RDN, LD – CoxHealth System Director of Food and Nutrition Services and former Cox College dietetic intern
Jason completed the Cox College dietetic internship and was hired at CoxHealth as a Clinical Dietitian where he worked for the next two years. In 2009, he had the opportunity to join the management team in the Food and Nutrition Services department as the Assistant Director of Food Services. After completing a Master’s degree in Health Administration he moved into a management position in the Corporate and Employee Wellness department at CoxHealth. After less than a year he was promoted to the role of System Director of Food and Nutrition Services for CoxHealth Systems.
Brittany Carpenter, RDN, LD -Corporate Retail Dietitian for Pyramid Foods, and former Cox College dietetic intern
After completing the Cox College dietetic internship program Brittany was quickly hired at CoxHealth as an inpatient dietitian where she gained experience assessing patients with an emphasis on pulmonary disease, diabetes, malnutrition, and weight management. In 2014 she accepted a position at Hy-Vee as a retail dietitian where she provided personalized shopping assistance, biometric screenings, coordinated community wellness programs, and developed corporate wellness programs. As a preceptor to Cox College MND/DI students, she coordinated the Fast, Fresh, and Delicious cooking classes that the MND/DI students participate in. In 2016, she accepted a corporate dietitian position with Pyramid Foods, a grocery retailer with over 50 stores across 3 states. Here she is developing a greater dietitian program to create more jobs in the area and position dietitians in the stores to better assist the community. Brittany is the former president of the Southwest Missouri Dietetics Association and was awarded the 2016 Recognized Young Dietitian of the Year Southwest District from the Missouri Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. She is currently working on a Master’s degree in Human Nutrition and Functional Medicine.
Lauren Leible MS, RDN, LD – Clinical Dietitian and former Cox College MND student/dietetic intern
Lauren was hired as a Clinical Dietitian at Children’s Mercy Hospital in Kansas City, MO 2 months after graduating from Cox MND/DI program. She currently covers 2 general pediatric inpatient teams and inpatient rehab. About a third of Lauren’s workday is spent rounding on patients with the medical residents and multidisciplinary team to determine the plan for that day of the patient’s hospitalization. The rest of her day is spent on nutrition education with families on various topics (infant formula, tube feeding regimen, high-calorie foods, etc.). Through her work at Children’s Mercy, she has worked with a variety of patients (ages range from newborn- 18 years old), including severe failure to thrive, rickets, kwashiorkor, traumatic brain injuries, and spinal cord injuries. She is also helping with a research project on Mid-Upper Arm Circumference and says the Nutrition Focused Physical Exam skills that she learned at Cox MND/DI program have prepared her well for.
Adam Pruett, MHA, RDN, LD – Director of Health & Wellness, Lead Clinical Dietitian and former Cox College dietetic intern
“It’s my belief the Cox College Dietetic Internship Program gave me an edge in the realm of clinical nutrition. This edge led me to obtain my role at Mercy even before I graduated from the program and completed the RD exam. The knowledge, skills, and abilities I learned in my internship still help me conduct my duties as a dietitian.”
Jordan Mize, MS, RD, LD – Outpatient Dietitian, Mercy hospital, and former Cox College MND student/dietetic intern
After graduating from the first Cox College MND/DI class, Jordan was quickly hired as an outpatient dietitian at Mercy Hospital in Joplin, MO. Her main role is in diabetes education and MNT. She sees clients with a variety of disease states and health concerns and she has started a weight loss program at Mercy. Jordan is also working in telemedicine with oncology patients.
Denise Thompson, RDN – Wellness Coordinator and former Cox College dietetic intern
“I think very fondly of your internship and I still brag about it when the subject comes up. You [Professor Williams] are one of my heroes!”
Denise worked in a long-term care and rehabilitation facility before being hired as the Wellness Coordinator at a community health center. She has worked at expanding the wellness department and applied for and was awarded the Prescription for Health Grant. Through that she is working with three health departments, Michigan State Extension office, and another community center to offer 6-week health and nutrition classes. She has been interviewed on the local news, started a monthly company newsletter on wellness and organizational updates, and contributes the company’s blog and facebook page.