FoodCorps member Isabelle Tersio brings science into the classroom with lessons on food and nutrition.

As we celebrate 15 years of FoodCorps, we’re peering into the archives for stories that showcase our work over the years.

From the Archive: Serving with a Science Background

As a FoodCorps member in Washington, DC, Isabelle Tersio knew they wanted to bring their passions for science and dance into the classroom. As an alum, they continue to draw from their experience with FoodCorps in their work.

Back during their service days, FoodCorps met up with Isabelle at Friendship Woodridge International Elementary School to sit in on a lesson about infusing water with foods like berries and cucumber. Isabelle said they planned to attend medical school after their service and hoped to become a pediatrician, applying their knowledge about the science of using food as medicine.

Watch the video from 2020 to learn more about Isabelle’s service. (You can also find this and more videos on our YouTube channel.)

What’s Isabelle up to after FoodCorps? Being a pediatrician! Here’s what Isabelle shared when we caught up with them recently:

“Since my time with FoodCorps, I have completed medical school at Dartmouth School of Medicine in Hanover, New Hampshire, then completed my pediatric residency training at Boston Combined Residency Program in Boston, Massachusetts. During residency I was able to apply a lot of my skills around talking to kids and parents about trying new foods and the impact of healthy nutrition on their lives in a culturally informed way, as many of my patients were immigrants from various countries.

I currently work as a general pediatrician in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and find joy in building trusting relationships with my patients and their families to promote healthier ways of living that are aligned with their goals. It has been a rewarding journey, and my time with FoodCorps definitely shaped and continues to shape my passion for pediatric medicine.“

There’s nothing quite like seeing our alums making their dreams come true after their time with FoodCorps. We’re cheering you on, Dr. Tersio!

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