University Hospitals Dietetic Internship Program Provides Comprehensive Clinical and Research Training
The University Hospitals Cleveland Medical Center Dietetic Internship Program was founded in 1933 and is the second oldest program in the nation. It is recognized for providing graduates with a solid background in the field. Upon completing the program, graduates will be effectively prepared to pursue positions as entry-level Registered Dietitian Nutritionists (RDNs). In addition, UH Dietetic Internship Program provides a strong foundation for clinical practice.
Since inception, the UH Cleveland Medical Center accredited Dietetic Internship Program has been training high-level nutrition professionals. University Hospitals Cleveland Medical Center has a rich history of academic innovation, exemplary patient care and research excellence which together provides the ideal environment for our dietetic interns.
2026 Open House Opportunities
The University Hospitals Cleveland Medical Center Dietetic Internship Program is the second oldest dietetic internship program in the nation and recognized for providing graduates with a solid background to enter the field of nutrition and dietetics. Please join us for one of our open house events to learn more about UH Cleveland Medical Center and our Dietetic Internship Program.
Onsite Options
Onsite campus tours available upon request.
Virtual Options
Monday, July 13
12 - 1 p.m.
Wednesday, August 26
9 - 10 a.m.
Thursday, September 17
3 - 4 p.m.
To register, send name and school to Gina Bayless, MS, RDN, LD, at Gina.Bayless@UHhospitals.org.
Further instructions will be provided at the time of registration.
New Match Timeline:
For the 2026-2027 match cycle, the University Hospitals Dietetic Internship Program will be participating in the FALL applicant match with a rolling process thereafter to fill available positions. Start date for all matched candidates will be August 2027.
Why Choose Our Program?
Our program offers a unique variety of educational experiences in a diverse environment and provides interns with the following:
- A pediatric experience at University Hospitals Rainbow Babies & Children’s Hospital (ranked as one of the leading children’s hospitals in the country)
- A rotation at University Hospitals Seidman Cancer Center (part of the Case Comprehensive Cancer Center, one of only 36 National Cancer Institute-designated Comprehensive Cancer Centers in the country)
- Exposure to University Hospitals MacDonald Women’s Hospital (rated as one of America’s 10 best maternity hospitals)
- Acute and ambulatory care rotations in one of the nation’s top health systems
- Dietetic Internship Program Mission Statement, Goals and Objectives
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Dietetic Internship Program Mission Statement
Our dietetic internship program is dedicated to training nutrition professionals who excel in clinical practice and serving their communities. Guided by our core values of service excellence, integrity, compassion, belonging, and trust, our program strives to create a learning environment where every dietetic intern is empowered to provide high quality patient-centered care. Graduates of our program will be prepared to begin professional practice as entry-level Registered Dietitian Nutritionists with a solid background encompassing evidence-based practice.
Dietetic Internship Program Goals
- The program will prepare dietetic internship graduates to be competent, entry-level Registered Dietitian Nutritionists.
- Dietetic internship graduates will be equipped to deliver high quality patient-centered care within diverse settings.
Dietetic Internship Program Objectives
- At least 80% of program interns complete program requirements within 45 weeks or 150% of the time planned for completion
- 80% of program graduates take the CDR credentialing exam for dietitian nutritionists within 12 months of program completion
- The program’s one-year pass rate on the CDR credentialing exam for dietitian nutritionists is at least 80%
- Of graduates who seek employment, 60% are employed in nutrition and dietetics or related fields within 12 months of graduation
- 90% of the graduates will indicate satisfactory or higher as their perceived level of skill as an entry-level dietitian nutritionist
- 100% of employers who respond to survey will rate graduates' performance as average or above for entry level when surveyed
**Program outcomes data are available upon request**
Accreditation Status
The University Hospitals Cleveland Medical Center Dietetic Internship (DI) Program is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics (ACEND) of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics (AND), 120 South Riverside Plaza, Suite 2190, Chicago, IL 60606-6995, 312-899-0040 ext. 5400.
Additional Resources
Notification to Prospective Dietetic Interns
Effective January 1, 2024, the Commission on Dietetic Registration (CDR) will require a minimum of a master’s degree to be eligible to take the credentialing exam to become a registered dietitian nutritionist (RDN). In order to be approved for registration examination eligibility with a bachelor’s degree, an individual must meet all eligibility requirements and be submitted into CDR's Registration Eligibility Processing System (REPS) before 12:00 midnight Central Time, December 31, 2023. For more information about this requirement visit CDR's website: https://www.cdrnet.org/graduatedegree. In addition, CDR requires that individuals complete coursework and supervised practice in program(s) accredited by the Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics (ACEND). Graduates who successfully complete the ACEND-accredited dietetic internship program at University Hospitals Cleveland Medical Center are eligible to apply to take the CDR credentialing exam to become an RDN.
In most states, graduates also must obtain licensure or certification to practice. For more information about state licensure requirements click here.
For more information about educational pathways to become a RDN click here.