December 2022 President’s Message “Isn’t it great to live in color again?” This was a question I was asked once a few years ago while standing in a checkout lane at the store. The person who asked the question was someone whom I had met about a year previously. We had both lost our spouses at about the same time and we met in a grief support group. Her story was difficult to hear. She was having a hard time with the death and her life’s circumstances weren’t making it journey any easier. I didn’t stay in touch after the support group had completed its run, but she happened to see me, the Dietitian Daddy, there at the store, getting dessert for my daughters. Once I realized who was asking the question, I caught the meaning of her message to which I replied, “Yes, life is much better now, less grey and more colorful; full of goodness.” She grinned and gave me a quick hug and headed out of the store. I remained in the checkout lane with warmth in my heart, acknowledging the growth that we had both achieved. I had similar thoughts when we arrived in Dubuque for our first Annual Meeting in 3 years. Since March of 2020, my professional life had changed, as it did for all of us because of the pandemic. Somehow, with meeting up with friends, colleagues and students at the IAND Annual meeting, I was hoping for some return of the “colors” that have kept me loyal to this profession for almost 25 years. What re-energized me and gave me warmth in my heart from our time together in Dubuque was a sense of belonging; a culture of common concern for those whom we serve; a keen sense of inquiry and openness to dialogue and growth. Well, that, and some good humor all along the way. I got more for my money out of this gathering than merely a fistful of CEU’s. I gained respect for so many amazing Dietitians who are out there every single day, doing the work to fulfill our vision to optimize the health of all Iowans through food and nutrition. We hope to see you all next November in the Ames area for our IAND 2024 Annual Meeting! Stay Tuned For Details! P.S. Do you know someone great? Nominate! Before time gets away…(and it will get away!) Nominations for our IAND 2023 awards are now open until February 2, 2023! Check https://www.eatrightiowa.org/awards for more information. Our Nominations Committee is still seeking individuals to step into leadership on the IAND Board and Council. Elections will be held soon and we are looking for nominees for President Elect and House of Delegates Elect. If you or someone you know has an interest, please contact Ann Parker as soon as you can, at nominationeatrightiowa@gmail.com |
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AVAILABLE IN HARDBOUND OR SPIRAL BOUND |
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GET INVOLVED WITH THE IOWA ACADEMY OF NUTRITION AND DIETETICS! Are you new to the profession? Want to advance your career? Spread your wings? Maybe you simply want to connect with other RDs in the state! Serving on the Iowa Academy of Nutrition & Dietetics Board & Council is a great way to get involved with other RDs who are passionate about nutrition and promote the registered dietitian as the nutrition expert. As a volunteer serving on the IAND Board & Council, you have the opportunity to: Earn CPE hours for leadership. Strengthen professional recognition by peers and employers. Increase your knowledge about dietetics outside of your current practice area. Network with peers.
Think it may be to time consuming? It is not a heavy lift! A virtual Board & Council meeting is held monthly so you can attend from any location. The hours you put in between meetings will depend on the position that you hold and the goals that you have set. We hope you are interested! The election will be held in early 2023 and the Nominating Committee is searching for individuals interested in the following positions: Nominating Committee Ann Parker: nominationeatrightiowa@gmail.com
Ashley Danielson: pringleashley@gmail.com Leah Brooke: leahdbrooke@gmail.com |
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LISTEN TO THE IOWA ACADEMY PODCAST! The Iowa Academy Podcast this month is highlighting Rachel Sweeney, MS, RD, LD “Making Meaningful Connections Inside and Outside of Dietetics. Rachel serves as a program specialist with ISU Extension and Outreach AnswerLine. Join the discussion with Alison and Rachel where we learn that Rachel has been training to be an RD her entire life! Hear about the various Iowa Academy roles where Rachel learned several leadership skills and met many life-long friends. | | |
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Iowa Academy is looking for hosts for the podcast! If you are comfortable carrying on a conversation about nutrition and other health related topics this is a job for you! No need to have any editing skills since our webmaster takes care of all of that. What topics are you interested in learning about? Would you like to be on the podcast or have a recommendation? Contact Alison St. Germain alisonst@iastate.edu for more details! |
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2023 Iowa Academy Awards Do you know an influential RD/RDN or DTR/NDTR that deserves to be recognized? Iowa is a state full of outstanding nutrition professionals. We encourage you to nominate those you feel deserve recognition this upcoming year! Nominations are currently being accepted for: ● Medallion Award ● Recognized Dietetic Technician of the Year ● Recognized Young Dietitian of the Year ● Recognized Outstanding Dietitian of the Year ● Emerging Dietetics Leader ● Gem Award All nominees must be an active member in the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. Nominations may be submitted by an individual Iowa Academy member or a district dietetic association. Self-nominations are also accepted. Nomination deadline is Friday, February 3rd, 2023. More information about the 2023 Iowa Academy Awards (including detailed awards descriptions and nomination form) is available on the IAND website at www.eatrightiowa.org/awards |
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Academy Committee Applications Open If you are interested in volunteering for an Academy committee, please complete the Opportunities to Serve Application. The information provided will assist the Academy’s President-Elect and Speaker-Elect in making appointments for the 2023-2024 program year. The application will be available December 1, 2022 – January 15, 2023. Application Link: https://www.eatrightpro.org/leadership/developing-leaders/volunteer-opportunities/committee-application Your Support Is Needed: Stop Medicare Payment Cuts for RDNs RDNs are facing a nearly 8.5% cut in Medicare Part B payments effective January 1, 2023. Take action today: Urge your members of Congress to cosponsor the Supporting Medicare Providers Act of 2022 (H.R. 8800). Action Alert: https://www.votervoice.net/EATRIGHT/1/campaigns/98770/respond Please feel free to contact me with any questions directly at delegateeatrightiowa@gmail.com Respectfully,
Alyson Fendrick RD, LD
Delegate for IAND |
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Public Policy: Get Ready for January!
The elections (and all the ads that accompany them) are over, but the legislative season is just now gearing up. The Public Policy team is preparing for the next session of the Iowa Legislature.
What are the Iowa Academy’s Policy Priorities for this session? Ensure Adequate Food and Equitable Healthcare Access Maintain Dietetic Licensure Expand Access to Dietitian-provided Services
Important Legislative Dates: Session Begins: January 9th Day on the Hill: Tentatively February 7th - More to come! First Funnel (Super important! If the bill doesn’t make the cut here, it dies for the session.) - March 3rd Session Ends: April 28th
What should you as a dietitian do now? Reach out to your new/re-elected legislators. Congratulate them on their election and introduce yourself as a dietitian and a resource on food and nutrition. We are also partnering with the School Nutrition Association of Iowa to support their efforts in securing policy around Healthy, Safe School Meals for All. If you would like to learn more, email policyeatrightiowa@gmail.com for more information. Want to be involved in policy, but not quite ready for a formal position? Join our monthly meetings to get a taste. Next one is January 5th at 5:30 pm! https://us02web.zoom.us/j/82281236195?pwd=eElyMmdkaGphV09lNjVrVTVmVXZ4Zz09 |
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The Central Iowa Region is hosting a social event Wednesday, November 16th from 5-7 pm at Clouds in Ames, IA. Clouds offers delicious European-inspired food and provides an amazing view of Iowa State campus from 100 feet above! The first 20 people that RSVP for the event will receive two mini-desserts for free and a charcuterie board will also be provided. There will be drinks available including beer, wine, tea, and coffee that can be purchased.
If you would like to attend, please email Amber anb15@iastate.edu by Friday, November 11th. Please see the attached newsletter for additional information on the upcoming event as well as your Central Iowa Region leaders. |
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Meet the Northeast Region Director and Event Planner! Congratulations Mary and Kristie! |
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Mary Steffensmeier is your Northeast region director. Mary has been a Registered Dietitian and Certified Diabetes Educator for 34 years at the organization in Waterloo now known as Mercy One. During that time, she earned her Master's in Health Education at UNI. She is also a certified ketogenic nutrition specialist and works with a physician led team on a program for low carb nutrition at Mercy One. She still consumes carbs! She has held various positions in the local Mid East District Dietetic Association. In the early years of her career. She was also a public relations spokesperson for the state association for many years. She is currently the Manager of the Diabetes and Nutrition Education programs for Mercy One North East Iowa. The challenges with finding and keeping staff has led her to accept this new opportunity with the state association. She hopes to work with her event coordinator, Kristie Jacobsen to plan events which will provide opportunities for supporting our profession in growth, development, and laughter. These challenging times show we need each other for support and brainstorming. |
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Kristie Jacobsen is the Northeast Iowa Event Manager. She earned her Bachelor of Science Degree in Dietetics from Iowa State University and her Master's Degree in Counseling Psychology from Loras College. Kristie's career spans over 30 years with experience in a variety of healthcare settings: inpatient, outpatient, consulting, long-term care, mental health counseling and Adjunct Professor at Clinton Community College. Currently she is the Regional Manager, Clinical Nutrition & Wellness for Trinity Health Systems. Her region includes Iowa. In her spare time, Kristie enjoys spending time with family/friends, reading, cooking, and knitting. Kristie eagerly accepts new challenges and looks forward to working with Mary Steffensmeier in creating new and exciting learning events that will promote RDN social interaction and the career of dietetics! |
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Mary and Kristie are working on a "Spring Break for Dietitians"; themed event late spring. This event will be planned in Waterloo as it a 60-85 minute drive for most corners of the region with a popular brew pub/restaurant which has a meeting room! Mary plans to share the highlights of the most popular lecture she gave during her 10 semesters of teaching principles of nutrition at the community college which was "overview of alcohol metabolism" There could be some tasting and tours and other spring themed topics related to the harm of weight stigma in healthcare. All Iowa Regions are welcome to attend this event. Mary and her team are working on a communication plan. If you want to make sure you are include in any events please email her at mary.steffensmeier@mercyhealth.com If you would like more information on becoming involved with your Region—please contact Alison alisonst@iastate.edu |
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INCLUSION DIVERSITY EQUITY ACCESS |
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Silence Maintains Injustice in Nutrition and Dietetics If silence is defined as the absence of sound, how can silence be so loud? Quiet is often associated with “acceptable” behavior in the face of conflict. But what if I tell you remaining silent in the face of injustice facilitates oppression? What if I told you neutrality makes us complicit in the same manner? This is especially true if you are in a position of leadership. If you are able to facilitate change, looking the other way or choosing to simply scratch the surface of an issue, makes it more difficult for those directly experiencing trauma and/or desperately fighting to stimulate change.
To effectively lead in nutrition and dietetics – and the IAND – it is vital we seek opportunities to support the oppressed members within our organizations and the communities we serve.
*It is important to note – silence within an organization does not mean an organization is running smoothly. Instead, it can signify that members of the organization do not feel comfortable voicing their experiences of trauma. Have you asked your constituents how you can support their cause?
Remaining silent in the face of injustice makes our stance clear: If we are not fighting with, we are fighting against. To be socially responsible, we must take accountability for past retrogressive policies, actions, and behavior – on an organizational and personal level.
Ways you can take accountability:
Learn about silence within white supremacy culture Embrace discomfort to thoroughly consider feedback and continue learning to address your own biases. Use your voice to take a stand against discrimination and other forms of injustice by directly addressing those causing trauma
Instead of shying away when facing contention, let’s welcome it and dig deep to figure out the root cause of the issue. Otherwise, we will never move forward. Let’s reflect on what we are fearful of. Why does the progress of underrepresented groups intimidate us?
The IAND has the opportunity to be a prime example of taking a bold stance in rejecting silence, taking accountability, and fighting injustice. Instating and expanding the IDEA Committee and potentially elevating the IDEA Chair to a voting position paves the path to justice for every organizational member and the communities we serve.
Let’s not occupy a position of leadership and fail to live up to it. How will you rally behind those advocating for change? Written by Vanessa Pérez (she/her), IDEA Student Representative Edited by Allie Lansman (she/her), IDEA Chair |
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CONGRATULATIONS TO THE 2022 MEDALLION AWARD RECIPIENT To Iowa Academy Members: It was with sincere gratitude and honor to have received the 2022 Iowa Academy Medallion Award! Since beginning my dietetic service in 1972, my desire has always been to have an impact on whomever I was fortunate enough to work with, to enhance the standing of our profession and to challenge younger professionals to be actively involved with our professional association. I have loved every minute of both the volunteer and paid positions I have held with the Iowa Academy. My hope is that each Iowa Academy member will see the value in volunteering in whatever way they can. Thank you for this incredible honor! Monica Lursen, RDN, LD, CLF |
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CONSIDER THIS GRANT OPPORTUNITY TO INCLUDE THE DIETETICS PROFESSION! Announcing New Grantees: Transforming Health through Targeted Funding TCI announces grants to 21 Iowa and Illinois nonprofits to tackle inequities in health care and workforce Telligen Community Initiative (TCI) is pleased to announce 21 recipients of its 2022 Iowa and Illinois Grant Program. These organizations and their projects were selected for their innovative approaches to addressing social determinants that affect health and enhance equity, as well as their efforts to make health care education more accessible and therefore bolster our health care workforce. Awarded grants totaled $918,137 ($410,557 to Iowa nonprofits and $507,580 to Illinois nonprofits). Since 2014, TCI has funded more than $15 million in community-based support to 357 projects in Colorado, Illinois, Iowa and Oklahoma. “The pandemic exacerbated gaps in health equity, as well as staffing issues and career ladders within the health care workforce,” said Matt McGarvey, executive director of TCI. “We are honored to invest in this group of grantees as they address critical health challenges through innovation, creativity and collaboration.” The 2022 Iowa and Illinois grantees are: IOWA Social Determinants of Health / Health Equity Grantees: · Chains Interrupted (Cedar Rapids): $50,000 – Harbor House of Mercy · University of Northern Iowa Foundation (Cedar Falls): $47,567 – Bringing School-Based Telehealth Therapy to Rural Middle and High School Students · The Beacon (Des Moines): $50,000 – Jail Diversion Program · MICAH House (Council Bluffs): $50,000 – MICAH House Shelter and Support Services Health Care Workforce Development Grantees: · ChildServe Foundation (Johnston): $50,000 – Development of an Autism Clinical Learning and Supervision Program · Iowa Primary Care Association (Des Moines): $50,000 – Dental and Medical Assistant Programs for Iowa’s Health Centers and Communities · University of Iowa College of Nursing (Iowa City): $49,990 – Improving Access to Primary and Mental Whole Person Care in Iowa; Building the Dual Primary Care/Psych Mental Health Nurse Practitioner Workforce · Clarke County Hospital (Osceola): $13,000 – Clarke County CNA Certification Program · EveryStep Care & Support Services (Des Moines): $50,000 – Community Based Doula Program |
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Food & Climate Foundations Course Develop an action-oriented understanding of the connection between food, climate, and human health in this 3-part, CEU-eligible course hosted by the Planetary Health Collective. Click here to learn more and to register. |
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"Seeking research participants for Graduate Thesis about childhood mealtime patterns" Dear member of the Iowa Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics: My name is Stacey Runde, and I am a Graduate Student in the Department of Dietetics at Marywood University. I am conducting a research study. Its purpose is to examine the mealtime behaviors of parents and their children as well as parents’ attitudes about those behaviors. You are invited to participate in the study if you qualify. To qualify, you must: ● be 18 years or older ● be a parent to at least one child between the ages of 9 months and 18 years of age. ● be a member of the Iowa Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics ● be a currently registered RDN ● be a citizen of and currently residing in the United States ● be able to read and interpret English fluently. The research will take place online through Qualtrics. It will take about 20 minutes to complete. Benefits may include advancement to the field of nutrition and dietetics, specifically in the area of childhood eating and nutrition Survey Link: https://marywood.iad1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_d4NwoKBhEvONEi2 This study has been approved by Marywood University’s Exempt Review Committee.
Sincerely, Stacey Runde Cell: 309-310-3789 Email: srunde@m.marywood.edu |
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You lead a busy life, no matter what stage of your nutrition career. You’re consumed with developing your practice, adjusting to a new job, avoiding burnout, staying healthy and keeping your mind sharp all while trying to balance your personal needs and growth.
Finding time to fulfill required continuing education is essential for success. New RDNs may find that CPEs offer training they need to provide the care clients are seeking. Even those with established careers understand that adding skills is valuable. Specific, specialized training means you can help your patients and clients live better lives – and our CPE On-Demand program helps to fit that training into your busy life at your discretion.
Take a look at all the CPE On-Demand modules
Be the first to receive new module alerts!
Sign up for CPE On-Demand today
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UPCOMING MEETINGS AND EVENTS |
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