Foundation Blog Posts

Michelle Gabor 2022 Mead Johnson Nutrition Scholarship Completing a Concurrent Didactic Program in Dietetics and Graduate Program at Nova Southeastern University “As an international student, my VISA restricts me from having a job, so I have to rely on my parents for help to be able to graduate. My parents have helped me, and my sister get through college over the past 6 years. They are from Venezuela and the country is going one of the worst economic, political, and social crisis in the last 20 years. It has one of the highest rates of inflation worldwide and crime impedes the ability to do business. Receiving this scholarship ...
Roya Firoozi 2022 Commission on Dietetic Registration Diversity Scholarship Completing a Dietetic Internship at University of Michigan School of Public Health Dietetic Internship “This scholarship is very empowering and is going to allow me to represent the Middle eastern community and give them a platform in the field of Dietetics!” How did you learn about the availability of the Foundation scholarship that you received? I heard this opportunity through the University of Michigan School of Public Health. What motivated you to apply for a Foundation Scholarship? The reason I applied to this scholarship is that it's going ...
Academy Member and Foundation Donor, Mary Abbott Hess, LHD, MS, RDN, LDN, FAND, Crafts Handmade Jewelry for the Benefit of our Foundation Visit Mary Made Jewelry to celebrate FNCE ® and shop from Sunday, October 1st, thru Sunday, October 15th, for an array of handcrafted earrings, bracelets and necklaces, many with food related themes. Apply shop coupon code FNCE20 and receive a 20% discount. All proceeds benefit the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics Foundation ! Mary will also be displaying and selling a number of her items onsite in the Foundation booth at FNCE ® , Friday, October 6, thru Tuesday, October 10, during booth hours in the Colorado ...
Taylor Rink 2022 LTC. Eleanor L. Mitchell Memorial Scholarship Completing a Dietetic Internship at Oregon State University “I have known for many hard-fought years that I wanted to become a Registered Dietitian. What I didn't know, was how I was going to afford both graduate school and a ten-month , unpaid internship along the way. This scholarship is a blessing in helping me find my way towards accomplishing my dream and I am eternally grateful for it.” How did you learn about the availability of the Foundation scholarship that you received? I learned about the availability of the Foundation’s LTC, Eleanor L. Mitchell ...
Alexa Barad, MS, RD 2022 Commission on Dietetic Registration Doctoral Scholarship Completing a Doctoral Program at Cornell University “I am grateful to the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics Foundation for selecting me as a CDR Doctoral Scholarship recipient. This award is extremely influential in support of my education, professional training, and continued involvement in the dietetics community. It is an honor to have the support of CDR and I am committed to utilizing this award to not only advance my own education but to continue mentoring future RDs through their professional development.” How did you learn about the availability ...
Tamika S. Watts 2022 Patsyjane O'Malley Memorial Scholarship Completing a Dietetic Internship at University of North Carolina Greensboro “The path to becoming a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist can be challenging and takes a lot of individual sacrifice, especially with dietetic internships being unpaid. Therefore, receiving a scholarship from the Foundation helps to minimize those financial burdens and tremendously helps me achieve my goals of becoming an RDN. It allows me to focus more on the dietetic internship and what I need to do to be successful, and less worry about how I can afford the program. I am truly grateful to be receiving this ...

August 2023 Monthly Message

Every August, the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics and our Foundation celebrates Kids Eat Right Month ™ by putting a spotlight on the importance of healthful eating and active lifestyles for children and families. I encourage all Academy members to share the many resources the Academy has put together to promote healthful food choices and physical activity habits, culturally relevant tips and recipes to help consumers shop smart and cook healthful foods. This great content includes targeted resources for Parents & Kids , Schools , Community Leaders and RDNs & NDTRs and the best ways to share this content is by taking advantage of the social ...
Cecilia Busick 2022 Patsyjane O'Malley Memorial Scholarship Completing a Future Education Model Graduate Program at Hunter College “This scholarship means a great deal to me – providing both financial and motivational support. Knowing this scholarship comes from the Academy of Nutrition & Dietetic Foundation is a huge boost of confidence that my hard work pursuing my MS in Nutrition Science will be well worth the effort when I can help improve the health of patients as a future RD. This scholarship will help alleviate some of the financial burden of pursuing this advanced degree by being put directly towards tuition fees and helping me cross ...
Korrie Tugal 2022 Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics Foundation General Scholarship Completing a Dietetic Internship at University of California, Davis Medical Center “Receiving this scholarship will help me alleviate the financial burden of attending a full time unpaid internship, and as a result, it will support me in my future endeavors to become a Registered Dietitian. This scholarship covers a significant part of the materials and tuition needed to attend the UC Davis Medical Center Dietetic Internship. As a result of lessening this burden, I will be less stressed, not have to depend on taking out personal loans, which have high interests ...
Luc LaBonte, MS, RD, LD 2022 Maxine F. and Arlene M. Wilson Scholarship Completing a Doctoral Program at University of North Florida “As a dietitian pursuing a career in academia, my goal is to advance into a position that will enable me to create the greatest impact on the future of our profession. Receiving this award will allow me to invest more resources into the pursuit of a Doctorate in Clinical Nutrition (DCN) and Graduate Certificate in Education in the Healthcare Professions. Devoting more time and energy into these programs will expedite my graduation and translation of the newly obtained skills and knowledge into my instructional practices.” ...

July 2023 Monthly Message

Sign up for Foundation events when registering for FNCE ® ! FNCE ® registration is now open and we are excited to see everyone in Denver this October. Did you know you can also register for Foundation events during the online registration process of log back in at any time to add an event to your registration dashboard? When you register and participate in a Foundation FNCE ® event, you help make a difference in the lives of your fellow Academy members, through scholarships, awards, grants, fellowships, nutrition public education programs and disaster relief efforts. Proceeds from all Foundation FNCE events and sponsorships benefit our Annual Fund and ...
Snna Chahbandar 2022 Commission on Dietetic Registration Diversity Scholarship Completing a Dietetic Internship at Anne Brezina Dietetic Internship “My primary ambitions after I complete my dietetic internship is to work my way up towards becoming a clinical nutrition manager in order to sustainably reduce the growing rate of malnutrition seen in hospitals across the nation. In order to have a more concerted and wide impact in this mission, I plan earn a master's in business or health administration. These areas will prepare me to develop a practical mindset to manage and resolve issues found in everyday organizations and corporations, which is ...
Natalie Kowell, MS 2022 Dorothy MacRae Hyman Memorial Scholarship Completing a Didactic Program in Dietetics at University of Northern Colorado “This scholarship will allow me to focus on being a student. Rather than spending my weekends working or being concerned about how I will finance my future, I can soak up the knowledge I'm learning and engage more with my peers and teachers. Already, I can affirm that becoming and RD is both very rewarding and expensive. For me, receiving this scholarship was more than just a "resource boost," it was an affirmation of what I'm doing. This scholarship gives me reassurance that I'm on the right path and ...

June 2023 Monthly Message

A New Beginning! I am honored and excited for this new beginning and opportunity to serve as your 2023-2024 Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics Foundation Chair . I am a career long Academy member and retired registered dietitian who has had the tremendous opportunity to serve in many leadership roles over the years, including as a former President of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, Chair of the Academy’s Political Action Committee Board of Directors, President of the Massachusetts Dietetic Association and Chair of the Pediatric Nutrition Practice Group. I was fortunate to have a lengthy and enjoyable career in dietetics in which I served in leadership ...
Melissa M. Wallinga, MS, RD, CSPCC, LD 2022 Commission on Dietetic Registration Doctoral Scholarship Completing a Doctoral Program at Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey “It is a huge honor to have been awarded the Commission on Dietetic Registration Doctoral Scholarship by the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics Foundation. Receiving this scholarship will be crucial to my pursuit of a Doctor of Clinical Nutrition degree while allowing me to continue to strive for excellence as a mom, PICU RD, and advocate for children in both my community and abroad.” How did you learn about the availability of the Foundation scholarship that ...
David Reid 2022 Commission on Dietetic Registration Diversity Internship Scholarship Completing a Dietetic Internship at Seattle Pacific University “Without Foundation funding I was looking at a situation that would either sink me into debt or require me to work nights while doing a full-time internship. Trying to figure out finances for my dietetic internship was truly a painstaking chapter and a few weeks before my internship began I still hadn't fully figured out what I was going to do. The foundation scholarship I received prevented me from going into more debt and allowed me to stop stressing how I would pay for everything. It was truly a ...
Natali Mendez Ortiz 2022 Patsyjane O'Malley Memorial Scholarship Completing a Graduate Program at Colorado State University “As a child in a mixed status family, I have seen and experienced the effects of not having the same resources as my peers. Furthermore, as a graduate student who is the first in her intermediate and extended family to continue a graduate program and move out of state, I have had to pave the way for my four younger siblings and learn to be my own advocate. Thus, I effectively take advantage of all resources and opportunities available to me. The support of the Foundation scholarship will ease financial burdens and help me ...

May 2023 Monthly Message

In my humble opinion, OUR Academy Foundation ROCKS! During this past year I’ve had the honor and privilege to serve as Chair of our Academy Foundation . In this role, I have also had the golden opportunity to serve on the Academy Board of Directors under the leadership of our current Academy President, Ellen R. Shanley, MBA, RDN, CDN, FAND . Last year, Ellen, as Academy President-elect, served on our Foundation board and this year, Lauri Y. Wright, PhD, RDN, LD/N, FAND , Academy President-Elect, served on our Foundation board. In addition, the Academy treasurer is also treasurer of the Foundation. Having these volunteers serve across the Foundation and ...
The Student Nutrition Organization (SNO) at San Diego State University (SDSU) held their Annual Dinner Gala & Silent Auction recently and raised a generous donation for the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics and its Make It a Million Scholarship Campaign . San Diego State University SNO members are passionate about supporting efforts in food and nutrition locally and nationally. The Gala raised funds to help fight against food insecurity in San Diego and foster scholarships for young future dietitians through our Make It a Million Campaign. As the night progressed, attendees enjoyed dinner and listened to presentations from guest speakers, including ...
Christina L. Nelms, MS, RD, LMNT 2022 Arnold E. Schaefer Memorial Scholarship Completing a Doctoral Program at Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey “My family struggled with my husband being unemployed for 5 months this fall and winter. He did some short term contract work and we are looking at potential unemployment again this fall. I am working a full time and 2 part time jobs, trying to keep up with professional volunteer roles and am a mom to 3 children, all with special needs and helping care for elderly parents. My income is not enought to keep up with a high-medical expense family (that has had to change insurance several times ...