IMU Alumnus is Head of Dietetics Unit at Private Hospital

Monisha Mohanan Nair found her interest in dietetics during her school days when she came across the word Dietitian. This has prompted her to research further about the profession as well as universities in Malaysia that were offering this programme. Upon completion of her Australian Matriculation, she started her degree in Nutrition and Dietetics at IMU in July 2009. Four years later, she graduated with a Bachelor of Science (Hon) Nutrition and Dietetics degree. Upon graduation, she joined a private healthcare facility and worked as a dietitian for one year where she gained some experience in setting up a dietetic department. She is currently the Head of the Dietetic Unit of Negeri Sembilan Chinese Maternity Hospital (NSCMH Medical Centre), a multidisciplinary hospital currently catering to a wide range of patients. This is the unit that she has set up on her own. As the dietitian in the hospital, she takes on the role of a clinical and food service dietitian. “Setting up the unit here from scratch – Forming Standard Operating Procedures and creating all the dietetic forms and educational materials to be used during consultation sessions. I also work closely with the marketing team to promote the dietetic services of the hospital while increasing awareness of the role of a dietitian in a clinical setting to the public. I also give talks and cooking demonstrations during various programmes that are held by the hospital such as antenatal talks, healthy heart programmes, etc.” “It has been 2 years now and I would say that meeting patients and being a part of improving their health has become a part of me now. Motivating them to lead a healthier lifestyle through diet and exercise and giving them realistic and appropriate ways to meet their health goals is the main aim I have upon receiving each referral. Seeing a patient succeed towards improving their health, even at the slightest bit, is what keeps me motivated to improve myself each day and every single patient is a different experience altogether.” Monisha believes that IMU prepared her well to face the working life as she found herself able to handle many areas such as management, accounts, marketing and communication skills as the modules in IMU included all these aspects. “The many activities that we were taught to conduct and perform during university days had definitely given me a stepping stone towards the bigger picture I faced upon graduating and entering the working life. I am very grateful of the choice that I made to obtain my degree from IMU.”