Mildmay Mission Hospital recently welcomed seven fourth-year international nutrition and dietetic students for an internship at Mildmay from Universidade NOVA de Lisboa, Portugal.
The students worked together at Mildmay’s unique facility to gain clinical and catering knowledge and obtain a better understanding of our specialist multidisciplinary team (MDT).
They shadowed specialist dietitian Dr Kattya Mayre-Chilton PhD RD to gain a better understanding of the dietetic needs of patients from our Homeless, Detox and HIV pathways. Each student focused on different aspects of a catering project which allowed them to collaborate and deliver individual findings.
They gained a better understanding of the UK 'Nutrition and Hydration Digest: Improving Outcomes through Food and Beverage Services' standards focusing on:
Two-week cycle menu design of a ‘Cook and Serve’ system
ensuring nutritional standards are met by auditing food portions
food sustainability and plate food waste
the impact of food costs between the first quarter of 2021 compared to 2022
patient satisfaction feedback and views of the food.
therapeutic dietetic snack provision costs.
The Mildmay team found the students a delight and enjoyed their enthusiasm to learn. They showed no hesitation to participate.
We hope this partnership with Professor Filomena Gomes, Assistant Professor at NOVA Medical School will support international internships to enhance students’ clinical experience, aid their professional growth and contribute to a holistic MDT approach to support patients around the world.
In November 2021 Kattya was invited to present lectures and case studies addressing “Nutritional support in HIV at Mildmay and epidermolysis bullosa” to the undergraduate nutrition and dietetic students at NOVA Medical School. Subsequently, working with Prof Gomes, a dietetic internship was developed to integrate the students’ academic knowledge of their degree at Mildmay.
"I would like to personally thank Dr Kattya for having us at Mildmay and for
being extremely kind and helpful. This internship was an experience I will never
forget.
Also, George, who found us lost in the street on the first day because we
couldn’t find the hospital and who was very nice to us and was always ready to
assist.
All the other staff members, including Marianne, Sister Bernie, Alastair,
Camila, Comfort, Betsy, Roda… everyone smiled at us and welcomed us there. It
was truly an extraordinary stay. Thank you all!"
Catarina Quintela Bispo Chambel
“This placement allowed me to gain a much better insight into the work of a dietitian within a multidisciplinary team.
The entire team was exceptionally welcoming and helpful.
Thank you, Mildmay. It was a pleasure!”
Carolina Pereira
"I can't thank the Mildmay Mission Hospital staff enough for the opportunity they have provided us with. Not only did we learn so much about how a hospital catering service is managed, but we were also received in the most welcoming and nicest way. Mildmay Mission Hospital, thank you so much!"
Inês Duarte
"This internship at Mildmay Mission Hospital allowed me to learn more about the importance of having dietitians working in hospital catering to provide adequately sized and healthy meals to the patients. I met almost all the staff, and everyone was extremely kind and helpful, I felt truly welcomed!"
Catarina Chambel
"Being able to have the opportunity to do this internship was truly an amazing experience. All the staff at Mildmay Mission Hospital was very welcoming and I feel that I've learned a lot not just as a student but also as a human being. Thank you so much Mildmay Mission Hospital!" Joana Fonseca
“I’m very grateful for the opportunity to attend this internship at Mildmay Mission Hospital. It was a pleasure to be able to see the work of the healthcare professionals and what a work week in this hospital looks like day-to-day. I will never forget this experience!”
Ana Rodrigues