A Latina Trailblazer in Dietetics: Dr. Andie Lee's Multifaceted Career

Written By Deanna Belleny
 
 

Dr. Andie Lee Gonzalez—also known as Andie Lee—is a first-generation Latina dietitian whose journey spans community nutrition, retail, private practice, academia, and industry. In this episode, she walks us through her path from growing up in South Texas to becoming a Pediatric Medical Science Liaison at Abbott Nutrition, all while co-owning a bilingual private practice and teaching the next generation of dietitians.

Andie Lee opens up about navigating higher education as a first-generation student, discovering dietetics through community nutrition, and facing the financial barriers of unpaid internships. She shares how mentorship and alternative pathways made her career possible—and why she’s committed to paying that support forward.

We dive into what a Medical Science Liaison actually does, what a typical week looks like when you juggle multiple roles, and how to recognize when it’s time to pivot. Andie Lee also speaks candidly about imposter syndrome, burnout, and the importance of rest, reflection, and owning your seat at the table.

Throughout the conversation, Andie Lee emphasizes culturally responsive care, bilingual nutrition education, and why representation and mentorship are essential to the future of dietetics—especially in underserved communities.

What You’ll Learn in This Episode

  • How Dr. Andie Lee found dietetics through community nutrition and lived experience

  • Navigating unpaid internships and nontraditional pathways to becoming an RD

  • What a Pediatric Medical Science Liaison does—and how dietitians fit into industry

  • Recognizing career ceilings and preparing for your next pivot

  • Balancing multiple roles: industry, private practice, teaching, and family

  • Scaling a bilingual, community-based private practice with brick-and-mortar clinics

  • How culture and identity shape leadership, mentorship, and impact

  • Honest reflections on imposter syndrome and burnout—and how to manage both

  • Advice for students and early-career dietitians finding their place in the field

    Resources & Links:

📌 Connect with Dr. Andie Lee:
LinkedIn: Andie Lee Gonzalez, PhD,MPH,RDN,LD,FAND

📌 Instagram:
@drandieleegonzalez

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🎧 Listen now on: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | YouTube

Deanna Belleny
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