Q&A: Sonia Ramirez-Rivera, Dietetic Technician Cedars-Sinai Skip to content Close Select your preferred language English عربى 简体中文 繁體中文 فارسي עִברִית 日本語 한국어 Русский Español Tagalog Menu Close Call 1-800-CEDARS-1 toggle search form Close Share Email Print CS-Blog Cedars-Sinai Blog Faces of Cedars-Sinai Sonia Ramirez-Rivera Dietetic Technician May 29, 2018 Cedars-Sinai Staff Share Tweet Post Sonia Ramirez-Rivera, Cedars-Sinai Dietetic Technician Meet Sonia Ramirez-Rivera, a dietetic technician who began serving meals to patients at Cedars-Sinai in 2013. After receiving her bachelor's degree in nutrition and dietetics, Sonia began working directly with patients who are on complex diets because of heart or kidney disease. She's currently on the path to become a registered dietitian in 2019. We sat down with Sonia to find out what motivated her to go into this career, who inspires her every day, and how french fries fit into the picture. What does a dietetic technician do Sonia Ramirez-Rivera: Diet technicians work on creating special diets for patients who are staying in the hospital. These patients can have complicated diets because they have certain diseases or health complications. We help document what they're eating and count calories of their meals for the dietitian to see. Read: Faces of Cedars-Sinai: Respiratory Therapist Kenia Norales Q What motivated you to pursue a career in nutrition SRR: As a young girl, I remember my father had some health issues. He would occasionally have to make changes to his diet, which also improved his lifestyle as a whole. When I saw how much nutrition therapy could help improve a person's life by encouraging them to make healthy choices, I was immediately motivated to have a career in nutrition. Q What s a typical workday like for you SRR: A typical day at work starts at 5 am. I begin by checking on my patients and updating our system with any new information, like different medications that will change what they'll be eating that day. By 7 am, I'm taking patient lunch orders. What's really wild is while most people are either on their second cup of morning coffee or having breakfast, I'm eating lunch by 9:30. After that I double-check everyone's lunch orders for dietary interactions or any last-minute changes by the doctors or dietitians. Before I head home at 1:30 pm, I get together with the crew for the evening shift and make sure they know what every patient needs. Read: Faces of Cedars-Sinai: Colorectal Surgeon Zuri Murrell Q How is teaching part of your job SRR: When I'm taking food orders from patients, I'll explain what their diet means and what foods they can and cannot eat. A lot of the time it's because their potassium, protein, or sodium is being monitored. Q Do you have a guilty pleasure junk food SRR: I love french fries. They're golden and fried—need I say more? Q Do you have a favorite place in Los Angeles SRR: My favorite place is Redondo Beach Pier. My parents would always take me there when I was a young girl. I have a lot of great memories of making sandcastles, splashing around in the ocean, and grilling hot dogs. Q Who is your biggest inspiration SRR: My biggest inspiration would have to be my parents. Throughout my childhood, I saw their constant hard work and perseverance. They never gave up and I admire that so much. They taught me those same values, and for that I thank them because they made me the person I am today. Tags Faces of Cedars-Sinai Share Tweet Post Popular Categories Health + Wellness Science + Innovation Community Blog & Magazines catalyst Blog & Magazines Home CS-Blog Blog CS Magazine Cedars-Sinai Magazine discoveries magazine Discoveries Magazine Embracing our Community Embracing Our Community Blog & Magazines catalyst Blog & Magazines Home CS-Blog Blog Embracing our Community Embracing Our Community CS Magazine Cedars-Sinai Magazine discoveries magazine Discoveries Magazine Popular Topics In Our Community Faces of Cedars-Sinai Patient Stories Los Angeles Behind the Scenes Make an Appointment Find a Doctor Schedule a Callback Call us 24 hours a day 1-800-CEDARS-1 Support Cedars-Sinai Make a Gift Volunteer Share Email Print Please ensure Javascript is enabled for purposes of website accessibility