Member Spotlight: Ruba Abdelhadi, MD, CPNS, CNSC, NASPGHAN-F

This video features Dr. Ruba Abdelhadi, Professor of Pediatrics at the University of Missouri-Kansas City School of Medicine and Director of Nutrition Support at Children’s Mercy Hospital. She serves on the ASPEN Board of Directors and also serves on the National Board of Physician Nutrition Specialists. Dr. Abdelhadi developed an interest in nutrition when she was asked to step in and develop a one-week nutrition curriculum for medical students. She was surprised to learn that there is no dedicated nutrition content in undergraduate and medical education. Dr. Abdelhadi shared two priorities. The first is to identify malnutrition in every clinical encounter and not miss out on opportunities to address it. The other is to provide nutrition education to all medical students, regardless of their area of specialty or education level. She emphasizes the importance of collaboration, noting that multidisciplinary work offers so much to not only patients but also professionals. Dr. Abdelhadi recommends that young professionals identify their passion and then find opportunities in all scholarly areas—teaching, clinical work, and service. She recommends joining a society such as ASPEN to find opportunities, meet people, collaborate on projects and papers, and serve the community. Physician Spotlight is a forum for outstanding Senior Leaders, Young Rising Stars, and International Colleagues in the field of nutrition to discuss important topics and ideas that impact patient care. Visit the ASPEN Physician Community at www.nutritioncare.org/physicians