Spotlight on a Member: Samantha McCarthy

Undergraduate: Bachelor of Science in Human Nutrition, UMass Amherst
Dietetic Internship: UMass Amherst

I’ve always been interested in the role that nutrition plays in health. I am simply fascinated by how small changes day in and day out can be powerful tools in both disease prevention and management over some chronic conditions. I currently work as a dietitian in both community and clinical settings. I am the breastfeeding coordinator for the Franklin, Hampshire, North Quabbin WIC program. My day-to-day work includes nutrition counseling for the low income families we serve and overseeing our breastfeeding peer counselor program. I also get to do fun and creative nutrition and health education events in the community. Our WIC program recently collaborated with Greenfield Community Television and developed a documentary that highlighted the positive impact peer support can have on increasing breastfeeding rates.
I also work per diem as a clinical dietitian at Cooley Dickinson Hospital. I love working in the clinical setting because I am able to stay current with medical nutrition therapy and work with other great dietitians. I am on my second year of serving as the public policy co-chair for WAMDA and I volunteer as the nutrition instructor for Cooking Matters whenever I can.
Outside of work I am passionate about running and I’m an avid hiker. I’ve hiked almost all 48 of the 4,000 foot summits in the White Mountains. I’ve also been a trail runner for more than 10 years and recently took up marathon running. I currently live in the great town of Conway with my fiance, Matt ,our chocolate lab, Maple, and a black cat named Shadow. I also have a younger sister, who is on the path to becoming a dietitian as well; she is currently in the process of completing her dietetic internship.
As for future career plans, I am happy with the balance of my two jobs currently. I would like to continue gaining as much experience as I can and feel grateful for all of the opportunities I’ve had.