During these first months as President of the Bluegrass District Dietetics Association, I am happy to report that the Board’s energy filled talk session has resulted in a plan for a year of speakers, seminars and networking based on the FNCE theme, “Explore, Exchange, and Engage’. These action verbs remind me of the sense of engagement and accomplishment when I became a credentialed Registered Dietitian in 1976. My 33 year affiliation has greatly benefited me both professionally and personally and I am honored to serve! I appreciate the fine work of those who have served and will serve as a Director on the Board of BGDDA. Your leadership makes a difference. Thank you!
“Explore, Exchange and Engage” is a powerful phrase laden with possibilities. Over the last several years, I have served as KDA Delegate to ADA and it has been my good fortune to study trends, policies, and future dietetics practice. It is my hope that these experiences will allow me build on the positive momentum established by members who demonstrate passion for improving the health of our population and the health of our professional association. In response to several requests, we invite any KDA member to affiliate with BGDDA. Exploring new membership options certainly supports our theme and strategic decisions.
Karina Christopher, our immediate past president, is being a great mentor whom I greatly appreciate for her professionalism and innovative thinking. In addition to being president, she has provided the leadership and the attention to detail crucial to produce two highly successful BGDDA February seminars! Karina’s generosity of time and talent to BGDDA is an example of continuously going the extra mile!
As the year unfolds, I welcome your suggestions and encourage you to frequently visit our user-friendly web page, www.bluegrasseatright.org Last year, we made the decision to “go greener” by conducing business and communication electronically. Members without electronic access will be contacted individually. BGDDA now has the capacity to accept dues and other payments via PayPal. Now, you can electronically mail dues and membership profiles. In the coming months, we will be posting to the web page regularly. You can expect to have ready access to links of professional interest as well as new “practice “tools. I hope you will find these postings useful and add additional value to BGDDA membership.
There is no doubt that our field is moving forward dramatically, making it an especially remarkable time to be a dietetics professional. Food, nutrition, and health are the foundation for productivity. No matter what our dietetics practice area we are all involved with health. Now is our time to practice the art and science of dietetics in new ways to meet the consumer demand and the changing environments in which we live and work. We know the science and respect the evidence produced by the scientific method, this allows us to translate science to application with standards of performance, practice, and ethical responsibility. A challenge before us is to let others know we are the experts and the credentialed professional.
The swiftly growing scope of food and nutrition makes it crucial to stay abreast of developments in the field. What better way to stay in touch than to be fully active in the opportunities of our professional associations at the district, state, and national levels.
I have watched with real admiration the continuity of leader’s stewardship of the Bluegrass District Dietetic Association. Our past leadership has left a remarkable framework upon which we may grow. Please come to our September dinner meeting which will be our kick off and social gathering for a year to explore, exchange and engage!
Useful information-Mark your calendars!
When: Monthly evening meetings with CEU programs, second Tuesday of each month, September-May except for annual February CEU Seminar on a Saturday
Where: Cardinal Hill Rehabilitation Hospital, look for signs for meeting rooms.
2009-2010 Elected Officers:
President-Myrna M Wesley
Immediate Past President-Karina Christopher
President Elect- Mary Wilson
Treasurer- Michele Coker
Secretary- Carol Duffy
Nominating Committee Co Chairs- Natalie Noell and Lois Hill
Look at these links!
ADA Plans http://eatright.communityzero.com/hod?go=t926064
NEW Practice Guideline for Celiac Disease. This guideline is one of eleven published guidelines on the library; other guidelines include Adult Weight Management, Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease, Critical Illness, Diabetes Type 1 and 2, Disorders of Lipid Metabolism, Gestational Diabetes Mellitus, Hear Failure, Hypertension, Oncology and Pediatric Weight Management. To visit the guidelines, go first to www.eatright.org, sign-in as an ADA member and then select the Evidence Analysis Library link in the left menu bar of the Home Page. Once you are signed-in to the ADA Evidence Analysis Library®, select the “Guidelines” tab or find the “Celiac Disease” link in the A-Z index.
Search the Journal, all Elsevier journals on this platform or Medline. www.adajournal.org
Official online job bank of ADA. ADACareerLink.org
Nationwide Nutrition Network of Dietetics Consultants. Open to all members. Visit ADA’s member only web site and click on member benefits then additional benefits of ADA membership