Infuse Issue 8 June 2019 | Page 18

A lady that my father knew at his work
was a dietitian and knowing my interests
suggested to my mother that I become a
dietitian as that would combine science and
food. That was the genesis of my life long
career in dietetics. I graduated in 1976 with
Diploma of Nutrition and Dietetics at the
University of Sydney.
In those days, graduates were bonded for
12 months as interns in public hospitals. I
was fortunately placed at Royal Prince Alfred
Hospital. This was a real gift because it
introduced me to Jo Rogers, Maxine Hosking
and June Bullock who became my mentors.
These senior dietitians were pioneers in
dietetics in NSW and taught me so much
about optimum patient care, the importance
of professionalism and what was possible in
the profession.
An emerging area in immunology at this
time was the role of dietary substances
in the pathogenesis of recurrent
idiopathic urticaria and angioedema
(RIU/AO). There had been some
research undertaken overseas and Dr
Robert Clancy, a staff immunologist at
the Hospital, became interested in the
possible role of dietary substances with
this condition.
© Dietitian Connection
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Infuse | June 2019