RDN Spotlight: Lorena Drago, MS, RDN, CDN, CDCES
What is your ethnicity/race? Did your family have any customs related to food? Please describe.
I am Colombian (Hispanic/Latina). I was born and raised in two Caribbean coastal cities: Cartagena (place of birth) & Barranquilla (where Shakira and Sofía Vergara were born). I was born in a neighborhood called Manga because the neighborhood was filled with mango trees. Almost every house had a mango tree. I adore mangoes and in Cartagena we have ripe mangoes in juice/shake but we also eat very green mangoes and add salt and lemon. One of our traditional Caribbean dishes is rice with coconut. It is a sweet dish that is ubiquitous in our households. Many people don't know that Colombia has 9 distinct regions; they have different topography, climate, foods and dishes, music, and even different racial groups. In other words, Colombia is a country with 9 different mini countries.
Where/when did you go to undergrad/dietetic internship/grad school?
I went to Queens College of the City University of New York in New York
Why did you decide to choose nutrition and dietetics as a career?
I loved food and health science. I thought I could fulfill both passions with one degree.
What do you do now as an RDN and what does a typical day/week look like for you?
I am a writer, author, certified diabetes care and education specialist, and consultant. I work at home. This week, 1. Will see patients remotely, 2. Finish an article for a peer-reviewed publication about cultural competency and Hispanics, 3. Create content for a client. They hired me to create a supermarket tour guide and power point slide deck for Spanish-speaking clients with diabetes. 4. I have to finish a presentation for a CDC webinar next month. 5. I have to finish a blog on diabetes resources for RDs who counsel persons with diabetes.
What is/was the biggest challenge for you in becoming a dietitian and how did you overcome that challenge? This can be related to being an RD of color or not just any challenge?
I was very fortunate I did not encounter many challenges. I had to save money to complete my DI, so I had to plan and save money. I wish I had more mentors along the way to show me I could branch out and seek many opportunities. I eventually did it, but looking back, I wish I had access to more mentors.
Have you had any mentors in your career if yes how have those mentors affected your career/life?
Later in life, I made a decision I had to engage with other colleagues and seek my own opportunities. Once I devised a plan, I went full steam ahead. I wanted to publish a book and I reached out to a colleague who told me what to do. It worked and now I have 3 books under my belt. My husband has always been very supportive, so he has helped to reach my goals. I encourage all RDs and RDs to be to become active in professional organizations and reach out to other RDs.
Why do you think diversifying this field is important?
When I first submitted my manuscript to the American Diabetes Association's acquisition editor I told her, "I want to write a book about Hispanics with diabetes. We are not a monolith. Not all Hispanics eat tacos and tortillas. Mexicans are 60% of the Hispanic population in the United States. How are you serving the other 40%?" So my book, Beyond Rice and Beans: The Caribbean Latino Guide to Eating Healthy with Diabetes was born. I have spent much of my career talking about Hispanic Latino health. I am delighted to launch the first program for RDs to counsel Hispanics from the largest subgroups with confidence. I teamed up with 6 amazing colleagues from Mexico, Guatemala, El Salvador, Dominican Republic, Puerto Rico and Cuba. They will discuss each culture and you can cook along with them. This is a cultural and culinary immersion. I have submitted the program for 12 CEUs. It will be launched in November.
What is a piece of advice you would give a student of color interested in entering the field of dietetics?
Be bold and embrace the opportunities. Find mentors and colleagues who support your goals and give you guidance. Don't let anything stop you.
Anything else you'd like to add?
I would love to invite RDs and RD students to my program, Breaking the Cultural Code: How to Counsel the Hispanic Population Featuring the Cultures and Cuisines of Mexico, Puerto Rico, Dominican Republic, Cuba, El Salvador, and Guatemala. You can learn more about the program at https://lorenadrago.com/cultural-code/.