Honoring Legacies, Creating Futures
Dear Colleagues and Friends,
August is National Make-a-Will Month – a timely opportunity to reflect on the legacy we each hope to leave behind. At the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics Foundation, we believe one of the most powerful ways to support the future of our profession is through thoughtful planned giving.
Our “I WILL Legacy Society” celebrates individuals who have made the meaningful decision to include the Foundation in their estate plans. These visionary gifts provide enduring support for our Foundation – ensuring that future generations of dietetics professionals continue to thrive and can impact the health of their patients and clients through nutrition.
This month, we recognize all of our “I WILL Legacy Society” members whose impact will live on through the Foundation for generations to come. Thank you to Patricia Murphy of Santa Rosa, CA, who passed away peacefully at the age of 93 in 2024. By including the Academy Foundation in her will, Pat’s legacy of helping others through nutrition will live on—supporting those who follow in her footsteps and helping strengthen the future of our profession.
"We need more RDNs and NDTRs. We can help future students become nutrition professionals through the I WILL Legacy. It is an everlasting way to give back to our profession and ensure our continued future contribution to healthy populations," shared Judy Rodriguez, PhD, RD, LDN, FADA, member of the Foundation’s I WILL Legacy Society and past President of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics.
There are many ways to leave your legacy with the Foundation:
- A simple bequest in your will
- Designating the Foundation as a beneficiary of your IRA or life insurance policy
- Donating appreciated securities or establishing a charitable trust or annuity
No matter the size, every planned gift is a lasting investment in the values and priorities we hold dear – access to nutrition care for all, evidence-based practice, and robust support for the dietetics students who will continue to advance our profession.
If you’ve already included the Foundation in your estate plans, we invite you to fill out a Declaration of Intent so we may properly thank and recognize you. To learn more about how your gift can make a lasting difference, visit Planned Giving Options or contact the Foundation’s Development Director Beth Labrador at blabrador@eatright.org. By planning today, you shape our tomorrow. Together, let’s ensure the next generation of nutrition professionals has the support they need to lead with impact—just like Pat did.
With gratitude,
Catherine Christie, PhD, RDN, LDN, FAND
2025-2026 Academy Foundation Chair
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