We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Andie Lee Gonzalez a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Andie Lee, thanks for joining us today. If you had a defining moment that you feel really changed the trajectory of your career, we’d love to hear the story and details.

One defining moment in my professional career, as a first-generation college student, was being able to serve my community in ways that I didn’t even realize I was doing. Early in my career, I knew in my heart that I wanted to help people, however I didn’t realize the extent of what that meant until 2015.

In 2015, after being part of a great upcoming nutrition program and connecting internally with employees and community partners I came to a point where I started to feel like there wasn’t enough time in a day to do the things I loved and also be a great mom, wife and friend.

Until, one day, I had a one to one with a leader that I respected dearly, he looked at me and said, “Andie you are doing something special that most people don’t ever get the chance to do, you are doing what you love, you are serving your community and most importantly you are gifting people the most precious thing in life, their HEALTH.” While so simple, these words touched me in so many ways. It helped me realize that this was the career I was destined to pursue and do. This is something that I carry in my heart always.

Every time there is a bump in the road along my career I think of these simple words to drive me and give me back the purpose that started my career as a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist.

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?

I always knew from a young age that I wanted to help people. As a first generation, it was in college that I realized the field of Dietetics and Nutrition. My father and mother, unable to finish school and attend college, instilled education early on. I knew that I had the privilege to do more than they were able to and couldn’t take that for granted. In 2002, after graduating top 10% of my class, I had the grand opportunity to attend Michigan State University with the College Assistant Migrant Program. There I completed my Bachelors of Science in Dietetics from the Department of Food Science and Human Nutrition. Later completed my Masters in Public Health from the College of Human Medicine at Michigan State University with a specialization in nutrition and migrant farmworker health. It was here that I was able to help co-author a few published articles adding to my research background. I then completed my 10-month Dietetic Internship with 1200+ hours from Michigan State University to be able to sit in for my board exam to become a Registered Dietitian. After completing my internship I sat in for my exam to be the 3% of Dietitians in the US that are Hispanic/Latina. Since then, I have had many roles in nutrition and public health, from food service, research, community nutrition, clinical, outpatient, retail, and now industry and private practice. In 2018, I then completed my doctorate in Organizational Leadership from Our Lady of the Lake University in La Feria, TX and in 2019, then completed a certificate in Business Analytics from Michigan State University. I am a student at heart, always looking for ways to learn, grow and give back to my community.

What I am most proud of is being able to help community members take control of their health, while embracing their upbringings and increasing quality of life. I do this through providing personalized nutrition recommendations that help them feel empowered, and able to make better choices while preparing meals for themselves and their families. My 15 +years of experience and my compassionate heart is what makes me the Registered Dietitian I am today.

In 2021, through COVID and after starting a new career as a Medical Science Liaison, my partner Ana D’Escrivan approached me in wanting to join her in owning and starting a Private Practice here in the Rio Grande Valley. I couldn’t say no. She was just as devoted and committed to serving our community as I was. It felt like God had us cross paths for a reason. I then quickly started to support our program and in just a year have grown to 5 Registered Dietitians and two locations. On weekends I support our program visiting and counseling with patients, while also helping to maintain our provider and community relations. What makes our program so special is our dedication to our community, our focus on patientcare, our experience together over 30+ years of experience, bilingual skills, and providing services across the state of Texas. In addition, we provide services that focus on the needs of our patients while taking a holistic health approach and understanding their needs, social demographics and challenges that they face. We make it simple, easy to follow and attainable.

How about pivoting – can you share the story of a time you’ve had to pivot?

Yes, life is about growing and challenging yourself. Through COVID, they say it was the year of the “PIVOT”, this is when I decided after 8+ years that I needed to make a change in my career. While it was not easy, I knew in my heart that I was professionally hitting a stagnant part of my career and even how hard I would try my individual contribution was no longer fitting. Before making the move, I talked with family and friends that I respected dearly and they kept telling me the same thing, follow your instinct, never lose faith in yourself and keep shooting for the stars. It was because of these words of encouragement that I decided to take the risk. I had to be brave. It was not easy. I had so many beautiful relationships but I knew that if I wanted to grow in my career that I had to make the move. I decided to take that risk and had the opportunity to pivot and join a different area of Dietetics, industry and private practice.

This has allowed me to use a different set of my skillset, learn new skills and develop some national and global relations. In addition, through my private practice allowed me to give back to my community and serve their health needs.

Other than training/knowledge, what do you think is most helpful for succeeding in your field?

One thing that I think is most helpful in my career is relationship building and business acumen. These two additional skills/education can really help strengthen the role of the Registered Dietitian both professionally and personally.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drandieleegonzalez/
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/andie-lee-gonzalez-phd-mph-rdn-ld-fand-a7b5107/

Image Credits
Ana D’Escrivan- [email protected] Complete Nutrition Solutions LLC

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