Feature Friday with Tamar Kafka

Job title: Dietetics Practice Lead – Campus (also a Sessional Instructor)

How long have you worked at LFS/UBC?

For about 7 years, minus a couple years of maternity leaves

Hometown: Vancouver

Let’s talk work…

Describe what you do for LFS:

I’m fortunate to work as part of an exceptional team of talented and dedicated dietitians to co-run the UBC Dietetics Major. My work is diverse and exciting because our students take courses on campus, but also have a field-based practice education year of courses. This means I get to work with students, LFS faculty and staff, other UBC health professional program faculty and staff, plus hundreds of dietitians across BC. I run UBC Dietetics Major admissions, develop, implement and evaluate program curriculum, teach and support practice-based dietitian preceptors and coordinators, lead key initiatives within the dietetics profession like workforce planning, teach dietetics professional practice courses and much more. Mix in HR, budget, social media and communication responsibilities for the Dietetics Program and it’s never dull.

I’m very thankful for all the supportive experts we have in our faculty!

What are you currently working on?

Hiring new staff, co-teaching 3 courses for the first time, planning a new province-wide UBC Dietetics’ student research event using the ‘3min thesis’ approach.

What do you enjoy the most about working for LFS?

I enjoy that we are a relatively small and very friendly faculty.

What challenge have you dealt with that you are most proud of?

Work accomplishments are great to celebrate, but I’m most proud of the small, yet meaningful strides I’ve made towards the ever elusive goal of balancing work, family/friends and self-care.

Let’s get personal…

How do you like to recharge?

Being active, on my bike commute or early morning gym workouts.

If you could have a superpower, what would it be?

Definitely a transport superpower, to get wherever I need to be, instantaneously.

What was a favourite vacation or trip you’ve taken?

I love the road less traveled so I’m going to say Uzbekistan.

What’s the best meal you’ve ever had?

Charcuterie and burrata plate in Albania, or really everything I ate in Albania.

See more Feature Fridays: https://lfs-my-2020.sites.olt.ubc.ca/human-resources/recognize-your-colleagues/