Featured PMDip Alumni - A conversation with Skye Balfour-Ducharme, RD

Having retired as a professional dancer with the Alberta Ballet Company only five years ago, Skye is thrilled to have started her second career as a registered dietitian at Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre (Sunnybrook). After ten years of performing for audiences in China and across North America, Skye returned to Ontario to be with her family and pursue her interests in dietetics. She completed her bachelor’s degree in Applied Human Nutrition as a mature student at the University of Guelph, while carving out time to volunteer as a nutrition student in clinical and community-based settings. In her final year of undergrad, she was honoured to have received an invitation to join the 2019-2020 class of Sunnybrook and Ryerson University’s PMDip Dietetic students. Since graduating from the program in June, Skye was hired as a dietitian at Sunnybrook’s Holland Centre located in downtown Toronto. She also provides coverage for other dietitians at the Bayview site when needed.

Why did you choose Ryerson’s PMDip Dietetics program?

While I had yet to decide which area of practice I wanted to pursue, I had very strong clinical interests. This motivated me to select Ryerson’s PMDip Dietetics program, which partners with several different hospitals in Toronto. I felt confident that this decision would position me to receive relevant training and hands-on experience in both in-patient and out-patient clinical settings, as well as in other areas of practice. The program also offered an in-class component, which was predominantly discussion-based. This appealed to my interactive learning style and my interests in networking with my future colleagues in the profession.

Why did you select Sunnybrook Health Science Centre?

The PMDip program at Sunnybrook appealed to me for a variety of reasons. Over the years, Sunnybrook has earned itself a strong reputation for its high-quality, patient-centred care. The core values of the organization, including respect, collaboration and excellence, resonated with me from day one, and I was committed to joining the Sunnybrook team in any capacity. When I was invited to interview for the PMDip program, I had a pleasant experience speaking with the dietitians, who made me feel welcome, comfortable, and respected. I was excited to be selected to complete my training within the organization that I aspired to work for.

What experience did you have before entering the program?

I gained experience by volunteering in the Hydration Program at St. Joseph’s Health Centre Guelph, where I delivered fresh water to long-term care residents one day a week. In addition, I volunteered with an in-store dietitian at a local Zehrs, helping to organize and lead nutrition-related workshops for families in the community. I also completed a summer research assistantship at the University of Guelph and co-authored a literature review on the gluten-free diet that was published in Nutrients that fall.

What did you find most challenging about the PMDip program?

Each rotation is roughly four weeks long. As a student, this means that you transition between rotations fairly regularly. While this scheduling allows students to gain more experience in a variety of settings, I sometimes found it difficult uprooting to a new rotation just as I started to feel confident and comfortable in the previous placement.

What did you enjoy most about the PMDip program?

The PMDip program is wonderful in that students are able to learn from a variety of different teachers as they move from one rotation to the next. This made my learning experience rich and insightful, as each preceptor shared their own perspectives, charting styles, advice, and feedback with me. I also enjoyed the guest speakers who were invited to present on topics that were relevant to our placements during our classes at Ryerson. Finally, the PMDip program provides students with the opportunity to explore all areas of dietetic practice, which can inspire new interests. This helped me to identify my own passions, strengths and define the type of work that I wanted to pursue.

How did your preceptors support your training throughout the program?

My preceptors offered me the perfect balance of guidance and autonomy to support my growth and confidence as a developing dietitian. At the start of each rotation, my preceptors took the time to understand my learning style and objectives in order to adjust their teaching methods to match my needs. Throughout my placements, they provided clear and constructive feedback, acknowledged my accomplishments, and organized unique opportunities to enhance my learning and help me meet my competencies. I truly could not have asked for more supportive teachers.

Describe your current workplace and how the PMDip program prepared you for this role.

I am currently working at Sunnybrook’s Holland Centre two days a week as the sole on-site dietitian. I am responsible for assessing, implementing and monitoring nutrition care plans for patients who require alternate levels of care, while interacting very closely with the interprofessional team. The PMDip program gave me many opportunities to learn about medical conditions that I see on a daily basis and understand the nutritional considerations required for different patient populations. I also gained confidence communicating with members of the team in different departments and learned screening strategies that have helped me to prioritize patients and manage my current caseload.

What advice would you offer a student who is considering applying to the PMDip program?

yourself where your interests lie. During the application and interview process, this will help you articulate why you are interested in the program and how it aligns with your interests and career goals. Secondly, do your research. Familiarize yourself with the places you are applying to, including their core values. This will set you apart from other applicants. Thirdly, do not rush the application process. Take your time organizing your resume and application letter. You have made it this far and you owe it to yourself to put your best foot forward. What is most important, however, is to remain confident. The application process can be intimidating, but you are definitely not alone. Trust in the knowledge you acquired during your undergrad and enjoy the journey!