SHRS : Nutrition & Dietetics : Curriculum

e-Learning Clinical Pediatric Nutrition Program (Graduate Study)
Leadership Development in Pediatric Nutrition
Certificate Program

Karyl Rickard, PhD, RD, FADA and (Mary) Sue Brady, DMSc, RD, FADA
Department of Nutrition and Dietetics, School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences, Indiana University Purdue University at Indianapolis (IUPUI)
Department of Pediatrics, Section of Neonatal-Perinatal Medicine, Indiana University School of Medicine

Vision

National Center of Excellence in Pediatric Nutrition w/ an e-learning Community of Practice
Dietitians/Nutritionists empowered to integrate nutrition into health care for infants, children and adolescents.

Mission

Advance the nutrition and health of children and families by promoting innovation and excellence in pediatric nutrition education, research and civic engagement, locally, nationally and globally (repeat)
- Each of the core activities (clinical pediatric nutrition, learning and discovery) is characterized by collaboration within and across disciplines and with the community and a commitment to ensuring diversity and pursuit of best practices.
Empower dietitians/nutritionists to become pediatric dietitians and leaders who advance the nutrition and health of children and families in Indiana and throughout the country.

Values

Integrity; human dignity and respect; growth; excellence in learning, discovery, patient care and community services; collaboration; healthy living with nutrition and physical activity as cornerstones. Click here for our Values Map.

I. Summary of e-learning Clinical Pediatric Nutrition Program (Graduate Study)

An e-learning Clinical Pediatric Nutrition Program entitled "Leadership Development in Pediatric Nutrition" (graduate/professional certificate program) is available from the Department of Nutrition and Dietetics, School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences, IUPUI. This program was developed collaboratively with faculty in the Department of Pediatrics, Indiana University (IU) School of Medicine based at James Whitcomb Riley Hospital for Children, IU Medical Center, Indianapolis, and is partially supported by HRSA's Maternal and Child Health Bureau.

The new initiative has multiple benefits for the dietetics practitioner, clinical manager and/or faculty member, including:

touches lives of many infants and children throughout the country with improved nutrition, health and well-being,
provides pediatric nutrition knowledge, clinical expertise and leadership skills for dietitians/nutritionists,
prepares pediatric nutrition leaders for key positions in pediatric nutrition, education and/or research,
makes available transferable graduate level courses for a master's or doctoral degree program, and,
creates opportunities for networking with other expert and peer dietitians in the field.

The course content will serve seven major audiences:

dietitians/nutritionists who want to work in children's health care systems,
public health nutrition workforce,
graduate students in MCH/nutrition graduate education programs,
faculty in MCH, public health and other university positions,
national nutrition management corporations who manage registered dietitians,
dietitians/nutritionists for the First Step Program,
WIC nutritionists.

The certificate curriculum includes 3 core courses plus at least one specialty course over an academic year (12 graduate credits, Fall and Spring semesters). Students may enroll in only the 3 core courses without completing the certificate program. Students will enroll in these graduate courses at IUPUI. These courses may be used as part of the master's program with a pediatric nutrition emphasis (Nutrition and Dietetics, IU School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences, Indianapolis). The curriculum is described below.

II. Description of e-learning 'Leadership Development in Pediatric Nutrition' Certificate Program

Qualifications

The clinical pediatric nutrition student must be a registered dietitian and have a minimum of 12 months of clinical experience. A master's degree in nutrition or enrollment in a master's degree program in nutrition is highly desirable.

Application Period December 1 through May 1
Program Starting date August each year

Applications are accepted from December 1 through May 1 annually. The Program follows a "rolling admissions" process during this time period. Qualified applicants will be accepted until the class is filled. Qualified applicants are encouraged to apply at the earliest possible time.

Curriculum

The e-learning Clinical Pediatric Nutrition Program entitled "Leadership Development in Pediatric Nutrition" is an online graduate/professional certificate program that consists of 3 core courses plus at least one optional specialty course over an academic year (12 graduate credits, Fall and Spring semesters).

Enroll in 3 core required courses:
SHRS N570, 3 credits---Pediatric Nutrition
SHRS N572, 3 credits---Advanced Pediatric Nutrition
SHRS N593, 3 credits---Leadership Development in Pediatric Nutrition and Clinical Dietetics

Choose one or more of these specialty courses for the certificate program:
SHRS N574, 3 credits---Nutrition Management of the High Risk Infant and Newborn in Intensive Care Unit
SHRS N596, 3-6 credits---Clinical Dietetics (4 to 8 wks individually designed clinical experience with approved preceptors in a specialty area e.g., The High Risk Infant in the NICU; The High Risk Infant At/Following Discharge; Children with Special Health Needs such as Children/Adolescents with Diabetes or Cystic Fibrosis. (Limited Number Approved by Instructors)

Real life clinical scenarios and leadership activities in pediatric nutrition are integrated into online modules and monthly face to face mentoring by pediatric nutrition experts. Face to face sessions on the IUPUI campus occur at the beginning and end of the program (August and May) and thereafter one weekend per month with online sessions (September through November, break for holidays, January through April). Newer computer technology (e.g., cameras on computers, web-cams) will allow participation in some of the weekend sessions from local settings. The program provides: 1) formal instruction with student centered, active learning opportunities, 2) opportunities to integrate new didactic content related to pediatric nutrition and leadership into case scenarios and projects; 3) opportunities to teach others; and, 4) role models and mentors.

During the Fall semester, students develop a proposal for real-world leadership development project and implement it during the Spring semester. The project innovatively integrates some aspect of pediatric nutrition (services, education, advocacy, cultural competence or outcomes evaluation) into a health system in their own setting. They apply the knowledge and skills related to leadership and pediatric nutrition, with mentoring and coaching from the key nutrition and leadership development faculty from IUPUI. Students present the project at the end of the program. This provides opportunities for further leadership development, coaching and mentoring for the future.

Faculty and Resources

Faculty Instructors
Karyl Rickard, PhD, RD, FADA, Professor of Nutrition and Dietetics, IU School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences, Indianapolis
Sue Brady, DMSc, RD, FADA, Professor of Nutrition and Dietetics, IU School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences, Indianapolis
Other expert Pediatric Dietitians, Pediatricians and Health Professionals contribute to the didactic and clinical components of the pediatric subspecialty sections.

National Experts in Leadership Development contribute to the leadership modules and activities
Stephen Bogdewic, PhD, Dr. George W Copeland Professor and Associate Chair of Family Medicine, IU School of Medicine, IUPUI;
Brenda Lyon, DNS, RN, FAAN, Professor of Nursing, IU School of Nursing, IUPUI;
James Johnson, EdD, MBA, Director of Credit Programs for the IUPUI Community Learning Network and Economic Model Office at IUPUI
Karyl Rickard and Sue Brady

The Indiana University (IU) Medical Center has an established center of excellence in neonatal and pediatric nutrition.

The Nutrition and Dietetics Program and Department of Pediatrics have collaborated for more than 25 years in:
Education for neonatal-pediatric nutrition fellows and graduate nutrition students,
The development and implementation of innovative practice models for nutrition services within James Whitcomb Riley Hospital for Children, Indianapolis, Indiana and the surrounding region,
Research and scholarship efforts.

The key nutrition faculty (Karyl Rickard, PhD, Sue Brady, DMSc) and the co-director (James Lemons, MD) of the Leadership Education Excellence in Pediatric Nutrition Program are recognized as leaders in the field of neonatal and pediatric nutrition. The e-learning Clinical Pediatric Nutrition Program (Graduate Study) uses the same didactic content as the pediatric nutrition fellowship; however, dietitians throughout the country now can participate primarily through an online modality. This e-learning program is partially supported by HRSA's Maternal and Child Health Bureau.

Pediatric Nutrition Course Outline

Enroll in 3 core required courses:
Pediatric Nutrition N570
- Module 1. Introduction to Online Course, Evidence Based Practice and Bright Futures Textbooks
- Module 2. Infancy
- Module 3. Older Infancy and Toddler Age
- Module 4. Preschool Age
- Module 5. Adolescence
- Module 6. Iron Deficiency and Anemia
- Module 7. Calcium: The Wonder Nutrient
- Module 8. Overweight and Obesity
Advanced Pediatric Nutrition N572
- Module 1: Orientation to Course
- Module 2: Infants with Food Intake and Growth Issues
- Module 3: Specialized Formulas for Infants with Malabsorption or Formula Intolerance
- Module 4: Food Allergies in Infants and Children
- Module 5: Failure to Thrive in Infants and Young Children
- Module 6: Issues in the Nutrition Management of Premature Infants
- Module 7: Feeding Difficulties in Infants
- Module 8: Cystic Fibrosis in Infants and Children
- Module 9: Diabetes Mellitus in Children and Adolescents
- Module 10: Parenteral Nutrition in Infants and Children
Leadership Development in Pediatric Nutrition N593
- Module 1. Orientation to Course and Introduction to Leadership
- Module 2. Leadership and Management of Short Term Projects: Leadership Development Project in Local Setting
- Module 3. Practice 1: Model the Way
- Module 4. Practice 2: Inspire a Shared Vision
- Module 5. Practice 3: Challenge the Process
- Module 6. Practice 4: Enable Others to Act
- Module 7. Practice 5: Encourage the Heart
- Module 8. The Rest of the Story: Leadership Development Project and Outcomes

Choose one or more of these specialty courses for the certificate program:
Nutrition for the High Risk Infant and Newborn in Intensive Care N574
- Module 1. Enteral Nutrition for the High Risk Premature Infant: Premature Formulas
- Module 2. Enteral Nutrition for the High Risk Premature Infant: Human Milk and Fortifiers
- Module 3. Enteral Nutrition for the High Risk Premature Infant: Iron, Vitamin E, Folic Acid
- Module 4. Parenteral Nutrition for the High Risk Infant
- Module 5. Nutritional Management of the Low Birth Weight Medically Uncomplicated Infant
- Module 6. Nutritional Management of the High Risk Infant in the Newborn Intensive Care Unit (Congenital Heart Disease, Other Congenital Anomalies)
- Module 7. Nutritional Management of the Medically Compromised High Risk Infant (Necrotizing Enterocolitis, Chronic Lung Disease, Ostopenia)
- Module 8. Nutrition Considerations of the High Risk Infant: At and Following Discharge

Clinical Dietetics N596, 3-6 credits--- Individually designed clinical experience (4-8 weeks) with approved preceptors that requires pre-approved goals and objectives to meet advanced practice competencies in one of these specialized areas
- The High Risk Infant in the NICU
- The High Risk Infant At/Following Discharge from the NICU
- Children with Special Health Needs
  - Children/Adolescents with Diabetes
  - Children/Adolescents with Cystic Fibrosis
  - Children with Neurodevelopmental and Related Disabilities
  - Infants and Young Children with Growth and/or Feeding Difficulties
Limited number approved by instructors

Application Process