Community Magazine July 2019

SIVAN - AV 5779 JULY 2019 61 Jamie’s Special Essence Jamie describes herself as patient, loving to learn, and as a person who enjoys being challenged intellectually. “I love life and am a happy person naturally.” As we follow Jamie on her journey, these values and traits shine through. Back to School Jamie cherishes her husband as a role model and as a mentor who deeply influenced her choices, commitments, and dreams. Ricky encouraged Jamie to go back to school when their youngest child, Marc, started kindergarten. Jamie had 12 credits from 20 years earlier, and it took some time for her to get a sense of the degree she wanted to pursue. After nine years she graduated from Brooklyn College (BC) with 140 credits and a Bachelor of Science. Jamie then enrolled at BC for a master’s degree in Nutrition, a four-year commitment. In June, 2019 Jamie received her second master’s in Public Health from the CUNY School of Public Health, another four-year investment. “I had weddings and bar mitzvahs and nothing stopped me from my school work,” Jamie said. Let’s add focused and relentless to Jamie’s list of character traits! Jamie is very appreciative of her family’s backing. “My kids are very proud of me. There’s a running joke among them with how many letters I have after my name.” Jamie loves being a student and learning about nutrition, which involves a lot of biology and chemistry. Her first job as a Registered Dietician (RD) was in a nursing home in Far Rockaway. Jamie was the Food Services Supervisor in addition to the RD, and was employed there for four years. She is currently working for Annex Nutrition Services, which provides home visits for nutrition counseling. Challenges What excites Jamie about her career and makes all that hard work, time, and energy to get her degrees worthwhile? “It’s a wonderful feeling knowing when my client’s health improves because of my nutrition education and counseling.” Jamie admits that her biggest career challenge is trying to be the best RD as well as a great wife, mother, and grandmother. “It’s not always easy to balance work and family even though my husband and children couldn’t be more supportive.” She explained that it’s challenging to find people who are committed to the longer process and the rigor needed to make fundamental and long-term changes in their lives. “The time of instant everything has crept into health andwellness with people opting for radical, unsustainable options versus serious life building ones.” Her secret to success? Jamie says it’s about patience and hard work. “Today everything is about instant gratification, quick solutions, and instant change. Becoming an RD and getting my master’s degrees took time and patience.” “Discipline and perseverance are antithetical to “overnight deliveries.” I’malsoa firmbeliever in the ability of a person to continually invent/ re-invent herself. New horizons and interesting venues and possibilities are essential for a person throughout her life. As my husband has said many times: There is no word in biblical Hebrew for retire (and there’s no word for vacation either!). If you’re growing and discovering yourself more and more as time goes on, there’s no reason to vacate or retire from your pursuits.” Accomplishments, Passions, and Hobbies Jamie beautifully describes accomplishments as something to be deeply thankful for and humbled by. Her children and grandchildren are her paramount accomplishments. “My children love each other and thoroughly enjoy their time together. They are now adults and parents themselves, with their primary dedication being to their own spouses and children. My kids have grown closer and enjoy learning and growing from each other.” After family, Jamie’s utmost accomplishment is earning her two master’s degrees! What Helps Jamie Relax and Unwind? Hands-down, Jamie is ardent about exercise. “I can’t live without it.” Now that her children are adults, she and Ricky love to travel. Jamie also enjoys needlepointing, and worked on mosaics in the past. She carves out time to play cards every Tuesday with her friends, and is crazy about her Starbucks coffee! What’s Next? Jamie continues to expand her knowledge, and has conducted research on pregnant women and offspring health outcomes. She is contemplating counseling pregnant women regarding gaining the appropriate amount of weight during pregnancy. “Gaining the adequate amount of weight during pregnancy will give the baby a steady supply of nutrients and calories to grow, and can help protect the health of both mother and baby.” Jamie is also concerned about the rising incidence of obesity, which is becoming a major issue in the Jewish community, and is a major risk factor for many diseases. Her Advice to Future Dieticians? There are lots of different job opportunities, starting your own practice, working in a doctor’s office, hospital, nursing home, or school. You can connect with Jamie by emailing her at jcr531@aol.com. Ellen Geller Kamaras, CPA/MBA, is an International Coach Federation (ICF) Associate Certified Coach. Ellen can be contacted at  ellen@lifecoachellen.com (www.lifecoachellen.com ).