Savannah Regnier

Nutritional Sciences

Dietetics major eager to pursue a career as a physician

Hometown

Flowery Branch

Major/Minor

B.S. in Dietetics

Activities/Honors

• Graduating Summa Cum Laude
• UGA Presidential Scholar (Fall 2022, Fall 2024, Spring 2025)
• UGA Dean’s List (Spring 2023, Fall 2023, Spring 2024, Fall 2025)
• UGA FACS Nutritional Sciences Study Abroad Program (May 2025)
• President of Phi Upsilon Omicron Chi Chapter (April 2025-Present)
• Member of Phi Upsilon Omicron Chi Chapter(October 2023-Present)
• Community Service Chair of the Student Dietetic Association (August 2023-Present)
• Member of the Student Dietetic Association (August 2022-Present)
• Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics Member (August 2025-Present)
• The Muscogee Creek Nation Higher Education Grant
• Zell Miller Scholarship
• OGE General Study Abroad Scholarship
• Muscogee Creek Nation Scholarship Foundation Program: Junior Scholarship
• Basic Life Support (BLS) Certification for Health Care Providers (June 2025)
• Human Research CITI Certification: Social and Behavioral Research (January 2025)
• UGA Career Center ArchReady Professional Development Certificate (April 2024)

Why I chose my major

I wasn’t sure of what I wanted to major in when I first came to UGA. I knew I wanted to pursue a career in healthcare, butI also wanted to spend the next four years learning about something I was passionate about. Dietetics caught my eye because I had always had an interest in nutrition and learning how to fuel my body through playing sports in high school. I also had a personal connection with nutrition because I grew up learning how to take care of my little brother, who has type-1 diabetes, which involved knowing how to build him balanced meals that wouldn’t spike his blood sugar and insulin-dosing. As I entered the dietetics major, I soon realized how important nutrition knowledge was and how much food influences our health. Nutrition is the best preventive medicine, and I think everyone entering the healthcare field should learn how to use what we eat to maintain and/or improve our health.

What I like most about FACS

I love, and I am very grateful for, the FACS community. Every professor and staff member is there to encourage students and help them be the best they can be, both academically and professionally. I want to give a special thank you to Dr. Emma Laing. She taught me everything I know about nutrition, but more importantly, she taught me to think deeper, work harder, and become the kind of healthcare provider who puts compassion and understanding at the center of everything. I am incredibly grateful for the impact Dr. Laing has had on both my education and who I am today.

Post-graduation plans

After graduation, I plan to move back to Atlanta and work as a medical assistant at a plastic surgery and medical spa practice. During this time, I will also be studying for the MCAT while gaining hands-on experience in a clinical setting. My goal is to apply to medical school in the next application cycle, and I’m excited to continue building the knowledge, skills and patient-care experience that will help prepare me for a career as a physician. I look forward to this next chapter in my life, and I am thankful to the FACS community for the support, mentorship, and opportunities that helped shape my journey.

Photoby Emily Cummings, Emily Cummings Photography@emilycummingsphotography