LT Charisse L. Holiday, MPH, MS, RD

Tribal Affiliation/Ethnic/Racial Background:
Navajo

 Current Position: 
Registered Dietitian, Chief of Nutrition Services, Phoenix Indian Medical Center

Degree(s):
Bachelor of Science, Arizona State University
Master of Science, Arizona State University
Master of Public Health, University of Arizona

 Area of Focus:
Diabetes
Heart Disease
Chronic Kidney Disease
Adult Weight Management 

What motivated you to obtain your educational/career goals? I have always been interested in health, nutrition and working with patients. I spent my undergraduate summers interning at a diabetes clinic with Indian Health Services, and it opened my eyes to the health field. Interning allowed me to identify professional mentors who impacted my path. My family, my mentors, and helping others motivated me to do well in school and to continuing learning. 

 What steps did you take to achieve those goals? Keeping my priorities near, staying connected to family and mentors, identifying my resources and keeping a career schedule in mind helped me get to my destination.    

 Describe any obstacles or barriers to success that you encountered along your path. Being the only Native American student in my program was challenging on so many levels. I assumed that the diversity would be there. In the end, the challenge made me more focused, well rounded and more confident in my studies and now, my profession. College will always present many challenges and obstacles; the best advice is to be open-minded and to keep the end in mind.

 What advice do you have for college students?
Take initiative, be proactive, and take advantage of opportunities that will allow you to explore and grow as a student and as a person. 





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