Registered Dietitians (RDs) are food and nutrition experts who have met specific requirements established by the Commission on Dietetic Registration (CDR) of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics (AND). RDs have a minimum of a bachelor's degree in dietetics, nutrition, or nutrition sciences from an accredited program. Coursework includes sciences such as biochemistry, microbiology, food science, human anatomy and physiology; nutrition-specific courses such as clinical dietetics, community nutrition, life-cycle nutrition, medical nutrition therapy; and education and counseling specific training.
RDs also must complete a dietetic internship or supervised practice program for hands-on, in-the-field experience. RDs then must pass a national registration exam before becoming an RD. Thereafter, RDs must obtain annual continuing education credits in order to complete the recertification process. This process ensures that RDs stay abreast of the latest research and practice information to best serve the public.
At UCSF Health, we excel in evidence-based care for patients admitted to our inpatient units at Parnassus, Mission Bay, and Mount Zion hospitals as well as patients seen in our outpatient clinics throughout the Bay Area.