Foundation Blog Posts

Foundation Student Stipend Applications Due By September 11, 2023

posted 5 days ago
Every year, the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics Foundation proudly supports the future of the nutrition and dietetic profession by issuing stipends to help students and dietetic interns offset the cost of attending FNCE®. The Foundation’s ability to provide student stipends is directly attributed to the generosity of the many Dietetic Practice Groups, Member Interest Groups, state affiliates, and individual Academy members who support this program. The Foundation is currently accepting applications for $100 student stipends to attend FNCE® 2023, which takes place October 7-10, in Denver, CO. Academy members enrolled as a student or dietetic intern for the ...
 
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David Reid - 2022 Commission on Dietetic Registration Diversity Internship Scholarship Recipient

posted 5 days ago
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 ...

Natali Mendez Ortiz - 2022 Patsyjane O'Malley Memorial Scholarship Recipient

posted 12 days ago
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

posted 16 days ago
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 ...

San Diego State University Student Nutrition Organization Raises Funds for the Academy Foundation at their Annual Gala

posted 16 days ago
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 ...
 
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Christina L. Nelms, MS, RD, LMNT - 2022 Arnold E. Schaefer Memorial Scholarship Recipient

posted 19 days ago
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 ...

Christina Armendariz, MS - 2022 Mead Johnson Nutrition Scholarship Recipient

posted 04-28-2023
Christina Armendariz, MS 2022 Mead Johnson Nutrition Scholarship Completing a Dietetic Internship at The Children’s Hospital of Los Angeles Dietetic Internship “The financial burden placed upon dietetic interns can be heavy for those who have been financially independent up until their dietetic internship. Finding out I was a recipient of the Foundation’s Mead Johnson Nutrition Scholarship has allowed me to put less pressure on myself to work while I complete my supervised practice. I now have more space to become a better dietetic intern by using my free time to study and integrate information. If I was not a recipient of this scholarship ...

Erin Bergquist, MPH, RD, LD - 2022 NDEP Preceptor Scholarship Recipient

posted 04-21-2023
Erin Bergquist, MPH, RD, LD 2022 NDEP Preceptor Scholarship Completing a Doctoral Program at Iowa State University “I am thrilled to receive the NDEP Preceptor Scholarship to help support my doctoral degree. I loved being a preceptor while I worked as a clinical dietitian; I learned alongside new practitioners. Now that I have transitioned into dietetics education, I have deeper gratitude for preceptors who are balancing the impacts of COVID-19 and continuing to precept. Preceptors are a vital piece of our profession and I will continue to support preceptors throughout my career.” How did you learn about the availability of ...

Our Foundation Recognizes the 2022 NDEP Preceptor Award Winners During National Preceptor Month!

posted 04-18-2023
April is National Preceptor Month, Preceptors make a difference in the lives of students who are learning to become registered dietitian nutritionists or dietetic technicians, registered by acting as mentors and training the dietetic professionals of the future. Our Foundation would like to take this opportunity to honor the 2022 Nutrition and Dietetic Educators and Preceptors (NDEP) Outstanding Preceptors of the Year. The NDEP Outstanding Preceptor Award program recognizes the teaching, mentoring, and leadership activities of preceptors in ACEND®-accredited dietetics education programs. Six awardees (one from each geographic region) receive registration ...
 
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From President Ellen Shanley, MBA, RDN, CDN, FAND: New CEO Named

posted 04-17-2023
I am happy and honored to announce to you on behalf of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics Board of Directors that Wylecia Wiggs Harris, PhD, CAE, has been hired as the Academy’s next Chief Executive Officer. She will succeed Patricia M. Babjak, who is retiring June 30 after serving as CEO since 2009. My deep thanks to the Board, the CEO search committee and the consulting firm Korn Ferry for their diligence in conducting a detailed and comprehensive search with great attention to detail and confidentiality. The CEO hiring process was run exceptionally well, with great attention to detail and confidentiality: Appointed a CEO Search Committee who discussed ...
 
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Makenna Jane Lee Diller - 2022 Laura E. Heston Memorial Education Scholarship Recipient

posted 04-14-2023
Makenna Jane Lee Diller 2022 Laura E. Heston Memorial Education Scholarship Completing a Coordinated Graduate Program in Dietetics at Michigan State University “Becoming a dietitian has been my goal since I was in high school. Now that I am starting my internship, I am one step closer to achieving that goal. This scholarship is certainly a means to an end, which is earning my RDN credential. But it is also more than that. These funds will ensure that I can place my focus on gaining practical experiences and creating enriching relationships with other nutrition professionals.” How did you learn about the availability of the Foundation ...

April 2023 Monthly Message

posted 04-07-2023
Take Advantage of Excellent Resources Developed by our Foundation Fellows! Do you know that each year the Foundation chair sits on the Academy Board during their year as chair and the Academy’s president-elect serves a one-year term our Foundation’s Board of Directors? This makes for excellent cross over for both boards. I have been honored to serve on the Academy board this year. Last year, our current Academy President, Ellen R. Shanley, MBA, RDN, CDN, FAND, served on the Foundation board and saw up close the impact the Foundation makes throughout our profession as the philanthropic arm of the Academy. Ellen has become a wonderful ambassador for our ...

Jennifer R. Watson, MS, RDN - 2022 Colonel Katharine E. Manchester Scholarship Recipient

posted 04-07-2023
Jennifer R. Watson, MS, RDN 2022 Colonel Katharine E. Manchester Scholarship Completing a Doctoral Program at Iowa State University “This scholarship will ensure that I finish my PhD program strong, without worrying how to find the money to cover tuition and the costs associate with conducting my research in my last year. This scholarship has encouraged me to keep going this year, so I can complete my program and find a teaching position to share my passions for food and cooking with dietetics and hospitality students.” How did you learn about the availability of the Foundation scholarship that you received? I received ...

Eun-Jeong Scott - 2022 Commission on Dietetic Registration Diversity Scholarship

posted 03-31-2023
Eun-Jeong Scott, NDTR 2022 Commission on Dietetic Registration Diversity Scholarship Completing a Dietetic Internship at Utah State University “I am so thankful for The Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics Foundation. The Diversity Scholarship will allow me to focus on my academic success and professional development during my internship. Its benefits will ease some of the financial burden of my family members, who are supporting my journey to become a registered dietitian. The Foundation’s generosity will ensure that I will reach my full potential and serve the public as an accomplished dietetic professional.” How did you learn ...

Sydney Mushing - 2022 Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics Foundation General Scholarship

posted 03-24-2023
Sydney Mushing 2022 Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics Foundation General Scholarship Completing a Concurrent Graduate Program and Dietetic Internship at Andrews University “This scholarship will help me achieve my goals in so many ways. The cost of receiving a college education is rising, and the new master's requirement for RD's makes this even more true. By receiving this scholarship, I can complete my Master's degree along with my Dietetic Internship to best prepare myself to enter the field of dietetics! In doing this, I am one step closer to my goal of opening a mental-health nutrition private practice in the future.” ...

Prajakta Khare-Ranade - 2022 Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics Foundation Diversity Scholarship

posted 03-10-2023
Prajakta Khare-Ranade, MSc, RDN, LD, CDCES, FAND 2022 Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics Foundation Diversity Scholarship Completing a Doctoral Program at University of Missouri, St. Louis “Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics Foundation Diversity Scholarship will play an important role in reducing the financial burden and will help me complete my doctoral degree in Adult Education (Ed. D) in a timely manner. As an Ed. D student, I will be working with my team members who are Occupational Therapists on a group dissertation to understand the value of Interprofessional Collaborative Practice through lived experiences of health care faculty members. ...

Catherine Murtha - 2022 Venesa W. Strong Memorial Scholarship

posted 03-03-2023
Catherine Murtha, MAT 2022 Venesa W. Strong Memorial Scholarship Completing a Dietetic Internship at University of California Berkeley Individualized Supervised Practice Pathway “Changing my career from teaching to dietetics has been one of the most fulfilling decisions of my life. It was scary in the beginning, however. I had a very stable and rewarding job in the public education sector, but I felt like there was more out there for me in this field. Going back to complete my DPD requirements was inspiring and humbling, and has reaffirmed my decision. Paying for my DPD requirements drained my savings, and when it came time to pay for my dietetic ...

March 2023 Monthly Message

posted 03-01-2023
March Means National Nutrition Month! For food and nutrition professionals, March means the celebration of National Nutrition Month ® ! This year’s theme is Fuel for the Future . The focus is on providing the body with the nutrients it needs to meet each life stage in tasty ways while also eating with sustainability in mind to protect the environment. During National Nutrition Month in March, our Academy puts a spotlight on the value of RDN’s and will be celebrating Registered Dietitian Nutritionist Day on March 8 and Nutrition and Dietetics Technician, Registered Day on March 9. To help you get the word out about these great events, the Academy has assembled ...

Academy Foundation Fellow, Gabriela Montenegro-Bethancourt, Receives Distinguished Award

posted 02-24-2023
Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics Foundation Fellow, Gabriela Montenegro-Bethancourt, MSc, PhD, has received a 2023 OWSD-Elsevier Foundation Award for Early-Career Women Scientists in the Developing World for her contribution to help meet the challenges of food security and advancing the U.N. Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 2, Zero Hunger. This SDG focuses on agricultural productivity and sustainable food production. Gabriela is the Foundation’s Early Complementary Feeding of Eggs in Rural Guatemala Foundation Fellow and is one of seven scientists to receive this award. Gabriela is a nutrition researcher whose work contributes to strengthen primary ...
 
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Thomas Moses - 2022 Colonel Katharine E. Manchester Scholarship Recipient

posted 02-17-2023
Thomas Moses 2022 Colonel Katharine E. Manchester Scholarship Completing a Concurrent Graduate Program and Dietetic Internship at University of North Carolina Greensboro “Receiving this scholarship will allow me to truly focus on my academic goals instead of worrying about working to pay bills and necessary expenses. I am grateful for the scholarship to provide the opportunity for me to live, let go, and learn. My financial burdens have decreased and inversely increased my confidence to meet my educational and career goals.” How did you learn about the availability of the Foundation scholarship that you received? I learned ...