| Bastyr University » Academic Degree Programs » Interviews » Alumni Interview | May 12, 2008 |
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Vimlan VanDien, MS ('96), RD, Shares Highlights of Her Eclectic Nutrition Career
Vimlan VanDien's nutrition career began when she worked at food co-ops on the East Coast of Canada. She overheard co-op members saying, "What do you do with all this stuff?" She educated herself, which naturally led to helping others by teaching cooking classes. Thus began her eclectic career of teaching and consulting in nutrition. She earned her bachelor's degree in nutrition at Bastyr University in '93, her master's in '96 and later joined the Nutrition Department's core faculty. She briefly studied in Hawaii and did her Dietetic Internship at the V.A. Medical Center in La Hoya, California, but has always returned to Bastyr. During the 1998-99 academic year she directed the Didactic Program in Dietetics and also supervised clinic nutrition shifts. Vimlan recently accepted a consulting position at Spa Nordstrom, the new day spa owned by Nordstrom. While seemingly divergent, this is actually not an unprecedented career choice for her. In the summer of 1998, Vimlan did individual consulting at a resort and spa in California but left when she accepted the DPD directorship at Bastyr. Securing the Nordstrom position took initiative. Vimlan heard that Nordstrom wanted to offer nutrition services, so she called to inquire. Nordstrom was interested in her affiliation with Bastyr and her previous experience at a spa, so the company asked her to help set up the program and do the hiring. Eventually the company offered her the consultant position. "I couldn't refuse it. It was really sweet," she said. The job will include setting up nutrition services at other spas across the country. Just as she might counsel her clients to do, Vimlan tries to remain true to her own needs. She knows that, in order to be professionally satisfied, she needs to do three things: one-on-one consulting, teaching and administrative work. "The DPD position was almost perfect," she said, "because I was still teaching and also supervising clinic shifts, which gave me some patient contact. But the Nordstrom position will provide the in-depth patient contact I want." Although no longer on the administrative staff at Bastyr this fall, Vimlan will continue to teach as an adjunct faculty member. She also welcomes the prospect of offering a practicum experience to Bastyr students, and she looks forward to the idea of helping so many people. "The Nordstrom spa is on the cutting edge of alternative medicine," she says, referring to Ayurvedic treatments and other holistic services offered. "The clients are well-educated and financially secure so they want to know about supplements, herbs, stress management and exercise. I really enjoy people and having something I can share with them. I'm very happy to do it." Vimlan believes there are many similar opportunities for Bastyr graduates, especially as people become increasingly interested in quality of life issues. "People are very responsive to the message," she said. "I'm thankful I have my education from Bastyr, which allows me to have something important to share. 
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