Today we’d like to introduce you to Nora Zamzam.
Hi Nora, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
I was born and raised in Southern California. My family and I moved to Texas shortly after I graduated with my Bachelor’s in 2016. I completed my dietetic internship in 2016-2017 at various locations in DFW. I was able to gain some experience working in a Dallas hospital ICU setting, bariatric surgery unit, medical/surgical units, and community settings, such as the North Texas Food Bank, Coppell ISD, and some private practice experience, as well. After completing my dietetic internship in 2017 and passing the Registered Dietitian exam, I went on to work in the inpatient clinical setting at two amazing hospitals in the DFW area for one year, until I got married and moved out of state. After moving to New Jersey, I wanted to continue to work in the clinical setting, therefore, I worked at a hospital in North Jersey for an additional two years – until a few months after the pandemic began. Due to the pandemic erupting in 2020 and having my first child, I decided to leave the hospital world as it no longer was a good fit for me. My small family and I also decided to move back to Texas from New Jersey. After moving back to Texas in 2020, I began working in the clinical outpatient setting as a dietitian. Although I had only some experience working in the outpatient setting in New Jersey while working at my hospital, as well as the brief private practice experience, I got in my internship, I knew this setting would be a better fit. Fortunately, (and unfortunately), I was able to land a job working for a mental health clinic in the DFW area that allowed me to work closely in the outpatient setting with patients struggling with eating disorders and disordered eating. I worked with patients helping them with their recovery and relapse prevention from eating disorders and disordered eating. Although this opportunity did allow me to gain experience with eating disorders (a population I had never worked with before), I wanted to expand my experience even more, which led me to my two current roles. Currently, I am an independent contractor for the largest multi-disciplinary medical weight loss and wellness practice in Texas, as well as an independent contractor dietitian for a dear friend of mine who has her own private practice in Plano, called EmpowRD Nutrition. I enjoy the flexibility and autonomy in my current roles, as well as working with a variety of different people of all ages who are working on improving their health through nutrition, as well improving their relationship with food and their body.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not, what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
It certainly has not been a smooth road, but I am thankful for the experience I have gained, which has led me to where I am today. Struggles in today’s world are certainly ongoing and almost never-ending, but I try to continue to be hopeful and grateful.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
Currently, I am an independent contractor for the largest multi-disciplinary medical weight loss and wellness practice in Texas, as well as an independent contractor dietitian for a dear friend of mine who has her own private practice in Plano, called EmpowRD Nutrition. I provide nutrition counseling and education for patients one-on-one, in the outpatient setting, which means I meet with them anywhere from once a week to once a month to help them reach their goals. My experience includes weight management, working with adults with chronic diseases (diabetes, pre-diabetes, heart disease, hypertension, metabolic syndrome, kidney disease, renal failure, cancer, GI disorders), chronic disease prevention, “eating disorders, disordered eating,“ as well as working with bariatric surgery patients. I have also worked in the ICU and surgical setting as well providing enteral and parenteral nutrition recommendations, as well as experience with nutrition and wound healing. I take a personalized approach with all my patients/clients and my hope for patients is that they feel listened to and that they get the help they deserve to put this disease/problem behind them. My other hope for them is to have a sustainable and healthy relationship with food and their body.
Is there any advice you’d like to share with our readers who might just be starting out?
As dietitians, we are always encouraged to work in the clinical/hospital setting, which is where most dietitians start off at. My advice to new dietitians is that you don’t have to work in a clinical setting if you don’t want to – branch out! There are so many interesting, non-traditional, and exciting roles for dietitians out there.
Contact Info:
- Email: Nora.dietitian@gmail.com
- Website: https://empowrdnutrition.com/about-melissa/
- Instagram: @dietitian.nora
- Other: https://www.vitalityweightlossinstitute.com/about-us-frisco-plano-tx/nora/
Image Credits
@thephotobusdfw
Kyle Coburn
