Academy National Honors and Awards Recipients

Marjorie Hulsizer Copher Award

Esther F. Myers

PhD, RDN, FAND

The Marjorie Hulsizer Copher Award is the highest award bestowed upon a member of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. The 2020 Award is presented to Esther F. Myers, PhD, RDN, FAND, an internationally known author, lecturer, educator and researcher in dietetics and evidence analysis.

Dr. Myers is the CEO of EF Myers Consulting, Inc., formed in 2009, which focuses on collaborative initiatives in international practice-based research and the dissemination of evidence analysis principles, the Nutrition Care Process and Model (NCPM), and International Dietetics and Nutrition Terminology (IDNT) using quality improvement and change management concepts.

From 2000 to 2012, Dr. Myers was Chief Science Officer for the Academy, where she was instrumental in establishing a system to complete systematic reviews on nutrition topics using the Evidence Analysis Library and Evidence-Based Nutrition Practice Guidelines. Dr. Myers was also valuable in the development of the Nutrition Care Process and International Nutrition and Dietetics Terminology, the standardized language system for nutrition care and electronic health records.

Before her Academy position, Dr. Myers completed a 25-year U.S. Air Force career that began with a dietetic internship and culminated in serving as Chief Consultant to the USAF Surgeon General. She then provided key support to the U.S. Department of Agriculture for the formation of the Nutritional Evidence Library (NEL) which supported the 2010 and 2015 U.S. Dietary Guidelines.

Return to awards list

Lenna Frances Cooper Memorial Lecture Award

Mary Lee Chin

MS, RDN

The Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics recognizes Mary Lee Chin, MS, RDN, as the 58th Lenna Frances Cooper Memorial Lecturer, which honors an Academy member who has been recognized as a notable and inspiring speaker.

As owner of her own business, Nutrition Edge Communication, for over 45 years, Mary Lee works with commodity food groups, food industry and nonprofits on nutrition trends and education initiatives. She addresses some of the most provocative and, at times, controversial food topics of today, including genetically modified foods, environmental and sustainability issues, and alternative sweeteners, exploring the science while respecting individual philosophies. Aware that many divisive and emotional food issues ignite a firestorm of debate, she advocates moving from polarizing rhetoric to open, value-based and professional dialogue.

Mary Lee has served in both elected and appointed dietetic practice group positions and appointed affiliate positions. She was an Academy spokesperson and has been a volunteer leader on Academy work groups, as well as a wide array of advisory boards and committees. She has presented to over 45 Academy state affiliates on topics ranging from agricultural sustainability to the future of food.

Mary Lee graduated from Purdue University and completed her internship at the Cleveland Veterans Administration Hospital. She received her master’s degree from Case Western Reserve University.

We are fortunate that Mary Lee will be able to share her thoughts and experiences as she delivers the 2020 Cooper Lecture, Good Nutrition Speak in a Polarized World: May We Have a Courteous Discourse?

Return to awards list

Honorary Membership

William D. Chey

MD

In recognition of:

• His role in advancing clinical and translational research addressing the benefit of diet and behavioral strategies for patients with disorders of the gut-brain interaction.
• His leadership positions in the Board of Trustees of the American College of Gastroenterology, the Board of Directors of the Rome Foundation and The International Foundation for Functional Gastrointestinal Disorders. Additionally, as the Senior Director of Nutrition and Behavioral Health Services for GI onDemand, and as Council of the American Neurogastroenterology & Motility Society.
• His advocacy of the role of registered dietitian nutritionists (RDNs) and nutritional interventions in gastrointestinal conditions, which led to his start of the GI Nutrition Program at University of Michigan in 2008 and the creation of the Food for Life Kitchen.
• His joint initiatives with RDNs to collaborate on relevant scholarly publications and scientific meetings.
• His medical innovations – he holds 3 patents.

Return to awards list

Honorary Membership

Larry K. Ellingson

In recognition of:

• His longstanding association with the Academy and support of RDNs, which is quite unusual for someone who by profession is a pharmacist.
• His initiation of a collaboration between Eli Lilly & Company and the Academy’s Diabetes Dietetic Practice Group (DDPG) to collaborate on diabetes projects.
• His encouragement of DDPG leaders to attend and present at international diabetes conferences to meet with other dietitians and diabetes specialists from outside the U.S.
• His founding of the National Diabetes Volunteer Leadership Council (NDVLC).
• His honor as the first recipient of DDPG’s Champion Award, which is given annually to recognize an individual, organization and/or business who has made significant contributions to DDPG and/or showed their support to the nutrition and dietetics profession.
• His continuing promotion of the Academy’s vision and mission by recognizing RDNs as the food and nutrition experts in diabetes care and education, domestically and globally.

Return to awards list

Honorary Membership

Virginia A. Stallings

MD

In recognition of:

• Her support of the Academy’s mission and promotion of RDNS in clinical practice and research.
• Her distinguished and impactful contributions to nutrition knowledge, leading and supporting research dedicated to understanding the influence of body composition and energy expenditure on the growth and nutritional requirements of children with chronic diseases.
• Her unwavering dedication to developing and promoting the capability of others, promotion of scientific inquiry, and spread of evidence-based clinical practice.
• Her extensive, career-long contributions to nutrition research and publications.
• Her service and leadership on national-level professional and scientific societies, including, but not limited to, the Food and Drug Administration; the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering and Medicine; the American Board of Physician Nutrition Specialists; the American Society for Nutrition; the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation; and the Dannon Institute.
• Her contributions to population health and influence on topics including school nutrition policy, women, infant and children (WIC) programming, and contributions to the Dietary Reference Intakes for Sodium and Potassium.

Return to awards list

Medallion Awards

Jacqueline Raymonde Berning

PhD, RDN, CSSD

In recognition of:

• Her exceptional leadership in the Academy; the Sports, Cardiovascular and Wellness Nutrition Dietetic Practice Group (SCAN DPG) and other professional and volunteer organizations, as well as her dedication to high standards of the profession.
• Her exemplary service as an educator, researcher and trailblazer in sports nutrition. She has excelled in promoting the role of the RDN in healthcare and sports nutrition, both to professionals and consumers, and transmits that value to training future generations of Academy members.
• Her phenomenal contributions as a mentor to new spokespersons, along with her service to the Academy as Spokesperson.
• Her strong leadership and exceptional servicethrough Academy committees, practice groups and evidence-based projects in sports nutrition and professional development.
• Her remarkable service to the University of Colorado as President of the Faculty Senate and chair of two different academic departments. She was the first female RDN to speak at a McGregor Football Clinic and the first sports RDN to be named to a National Governing Sport’s Body. She also co-edited one of the first sport nutrition books.
• Her extraordinary ability to inspire students and colleagues, plus her exemplary service and contributions to the profession.

Return to awards list

Medallion Awards

Mary Pat Raimondi Bertacchi

MS, RD

In recognition of:

• Her leadership and service in numerous national elected or appointed positions within the Academy, including the Board of Directors, as House of Delegates Director, as Legislative and Public Policy Chair, in the Political Action Committee and on the FNCE^® Planning Committee.
• Her diverse and longstanding leadership outside the Academy that has impacted health professionals beyond nutrition, including physicians, nurses and health educators. Mary Pat is skilled at building coalitions, supporting partners and finding solutions that benefit the RDN/NDTR and the health of Americans.
• Her visionary ability to see the future of the nutrition and dietetics profession while guiding others on the path to success. Mary Pat seeks viewpoints from a broad spectrum, helping her determine actions and inform other individuals and groups.
• Her consistent and influential advocacy as both a volunteer and in her former role as Vice President of Strategic Policy and Partnerships at the Academy’s D.C. office, including the authorship and fund-seeking for the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children (WIC) in Cook County, Illinois. Under Mary Pat’s visionary leadership in seeking nonprofit and community health partners, millions of low-income mothers, infants and children received nutrition education, health care referrals and supplemental foods each month. Today, the Cook County, Illinois WIC Program serves as a model program for nonprofit partnerships.

Return to awards list

Medallion Awards

Kristine Larson Clark

PhD, RDN, FACSM, FAND

In recognition of:

• Her trailblazing efforts to promote the profession of sports dietetics as Director of Sports Nutrition, Penn State University, the first university to hire a full-time RDN in 1991, and as Assistant Professor at PSU, advocating for and developing academic courses in sports nutrition.
• Her collaboration with the United States Olympic Sports Medicine Committee; as nutritionist for the Women’s Soccer World Cup teams; as trustee for the American College of Sports Medicine and Fellowship in ACSM; and as a pioneering member of the American Council on Fitness and Nutrition, Joint Commission on Sports Medicine & Science.
• Her leadership and dedication to forwarding the profession, serving as chair of SCAN and the Weight Management (WM) DPGs and volunteering in multiple roles at local, state, and national levels, such as Past President of the Wisconsin affiliate.
• Her scholarly activities, including receiving research grants, authoring numerous academic and lay publications, and giving many state and national presentations.
• Her community volunteerism, serving on the Boards of Directors for Meals on Wheels, Animal Rescue and the Special Olympics.
• Her enthusiasm for the profession, mentoring hundreds of nutrition students and dietitians with her wisdom, wit, and warmth.

Return to awards list

Medallion Awards

Alison B. Evert

MS, RD, CDE

In recognition of:

• Her elected position on the committee for the Evidence Analysis Library Update for Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes and subsequent contributions as writer and reviewer for manuscript dissemination.
• Her appointed role as co-chair of the 2010 update for the Academy’s Revised Standards of Practice (SOP) and Standards of Professional Performance (SOPP) for Dietitians (Generalist, Specialty, and Advanced) in Diabetes Care.
• Her development of organization-approved protocols for diabetes medication initiation and adjustment at University of Washington Medicine, working with a UWMC endocrinologist to develop a diabetes medication-based competency policy and procedures.
• Her role as author and editor of multiple publications and her development of patient education materials for the American Diabetes Association and the Academy, including as co-author of the Count Your Carbs and Match Your Insulin to Your Carbs booklets in the “Choose Your Foods” series.
• Her extensive service as presenter and guest lecturer in the areas of diabetes nutrition and diabetes technology for health care professionals, students and consumers.
• Her steadfast leadership in the field of diabetes and nutrition, always with an emphasis of an expanded role for RDNs and the importance of medical nutrition therapy.

Return to awards list

Medallion Awards

Joyce Ann Gilbert

PhD, RDN

In recognition of:

• Her extraordinary career as a clinician, educator, researcher, entrepreneur, business executive and the President and CEO of the Association of Nutrition and Foodservice Professionals.
• Her creative guidance while expanding initiatives and achieving organizational goals in financial management as treasurer of the Academy; as executive director of the Marilyn Magaram Center at California State University, Northridge; as vice-chair of the Center on Halsted; in the Military Graduate Dietetics Program; and on boards of many other organizations.
• Her education of current and future food, nutrition and dietetics professionals through programs, presentations, publications and mentoring.
• Her role as chair of the Commission on Dietetic Registration and the Professional Development Committee, as well as on task forces that developed numerous specialty certifications.
• Her outstanding service in the US military as a leader and role model, retiring as a Lt. Colonel.
• Her visionary and valued advocacy for initiatives that improve services for older adults, children, LGBTQ individuals and other underserved communities.
• Her passion for excellence that has created opportunities, moved the profession forward and been an inspiration for many.

Return to awards list

Medallion Awards

David H. Holben

PhD, RDN, LD, FAND

In recognition of:

• His undeniable dedication to the high standards of the nutrition and dietetics profession for more than three decades, with a focus on food insecurity and food-based STEM education.
• His exploration of the relationship of dietary patterns and diabetes, obesity, and other conditions to food and nutrition security across the lifespan and optimization of solutions for food and nutrition security to promote health and wellness among vulnerable groups.
• His demonstration of servant leadership and innovation in nutrition and dietetics, allied health, child nutrition, hospitality management, the United States Army and the community.
• His efforts to move the profession forward through innovative, cutting-edge research, prolific writing, and energetic, student-centered teaching as Professor and Gillespie Distinguished Scholar in the Department of Nutrition and Hospitality Management at the University of Mississippi, as well as Director of the Office of Food and Nutrition Security.
• His motivation of thousands of students as a role model and mentor, promotion of credentialed food and nutrition professionals, and engagement with underserved communities across the globe to reduce health disparities, from rural Appalachia to Maritime Canada to rural Ghana.
• His philanthropic activities as an Academy Foundation Second Century Leader and endowment of multiple scholarships to further our profession, nutrition and dietetics education, and community well-being.

Return to awards list

Medallion Awards

Sherri L. Jones

MS, MBA, RDN, LDN, SSGB, FAND

In recognition of:

• Her key role in bringing attention to the malnutrition epidemic and the need to provide clarity for malnutrition clinical characteristics, which led to landmark publications that have defined the last decade of work for clinical dietitians.
• Her positions as chair of the Academy’s Quality Management Committee and the Clinical Nutrition Management DPG, as well as her current role as the Pennsylvania affiliate’s delegate to the Academy House of Delegates.
• Her early adoption of the Nutrition Care Process as an inaugural member of the Academy’s Peer Network for Nutrition Diagnosis, developing the first patient controlled liberalized diet program and paving the way for RDNs to succeed in wider areas of healthcare through her role as an improvement specialist.
• Her service as a Dietetic Internship educator and mentor to countless students and RDNs.
• Her support of NDTRs by serving on the Community College of Allegheny County Dietetics Advisory Committee for Nutrition and Dietetic Technicians, Registered program.
• Her promotion of lifelong learning and education by serving as peer reviewer, subject matter expert, author and speaker on a variety of topics such as the Nutrition Care Process, Nutrition Informatics, Malnutrition Recognition, Quality Management in Dietetics Practice and the Standards of Excellence Metric Tool.

Return to awards list

Medallion Awards

Kendra K. Kattelmann

PhD, RDN, LN, FAND

In recognition of:

• Her long-standing active duty and US Army Reserve service, achieving the rank of Colonel, in which her clinical, educational, research and leadership efforts continue to impact the lives of patients, students, colleagues, and peers in domestic and international settings.
• Her exemplary record of teaching and mentorship as Didactic Program Director and university department head in times of institutional change and opportunity, with her efforts recognized in the bestowment of the title of Distinguished Professor, an esteemed honor from South Dakota State University.
• Her development of novel methodologies, approaches and well-funded, productive research programs that have led to important advancements in the professional understanding of how to facilitate optimal health and nutrition behaviors, including the prevention of obesity and chronic diseases across diverse populations.
• Her countless hours of professional leadership and service, in which she has selflessly offered her leadership talents and expertise in service of the Academy, multiple state and DPG organizations, and the Society for Nutrition Education and Behavior.

Return to awards list

Trailblazer Award & Lectureship

Christine M. Bruhn

PhD, CFS

The Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics recognizes Christine M. Bruhn, PhD, CFS, as the recipient of the 2020 Trailblazer Award and Lectureship.

Dr. Bruhn is cooperative extension specialist emerita at the University of California, Davis, recognized globally for her research and outreach programs in consumer behavior, food science, and food safety. Bruhn served as an IFT Food Science Communicator for many years and is a Fellow of IFT, the Institute of Food Science and Technology, and the International Association for Food Protection. She has championed collaboration among food science and nutrition associations to educate the public and media on nutrition and food safety issues.

Return to awards list

Media Excellence Award

Joan Salge Blake

EdD, RDN, LDN, FAND

Dr. Joan Salge Blake is a nutrition professor at Boston University and has been passionate about effectively communicating nutrition information to the public and health professionals for over 30 years. She is the host of the hit nutrition and wellness podcast, Spot On!, which breaks though the latest health and wellness information to provide accurate and usable information.

Joan is a nutrition blogger for US News & World Report’s Eat + Run Column and a freelance writer for many media outlets. She has provided over 2,000 interviews in media outlets such as The New York Times, The Food Network, Newsweek, The Washington Post, Forbes, Prevention, WebMD, and Consumer Reports. She was named by Good Housekeeping Magazine as the healthy eating expert to follow on Twitter.

Joan is the author of several books, including Nutrition & You, Pearson Education (2020). She was awarded the prestigious Whitney Powers Excellence in Teaching Award twice from the University and has lectured at both the BU School of Medicine and BU Goldman School of Dental Medicine.

Return to awards list

Excellence in Diversity and Inclusion Promotion Award

Bruce D. Rengers

PhD, RD

Dr. Rengers is a professor of nutrition at Metropolitan State University (MSU) of Denver. Prior to working at MSU Denver, Dr. Rengers was the WIC director at Denver Health. Dr. Rengers was also previously the chief nutritionist for the Colorado WIC program, WIC Director in Weld County, Assistant professor at St. Louis University, the University of Northern Colorado, Florida State University and Eastern Washington University. He was also staff nutritionist at the Brookfield Zoo in Chicago and clinical dietitian/food service director at Holy Rosary Hospital in Miles City, Montana.

Dr. Rengers has risen to leadership positions in different areas throughout his career and, in each leadership position, has worked to increase the cultural diversity of the nutrition profession and the cultural awareness and inclusion practices of nutrition professionals from all backgrounds. From his service with primarily Hispanic populations in the WIC programs he managed to his many years of service on MSU Denver’s College of Professional Studies Recruitment and Retention committee, he continually works as an educator and mentor to break down barriers and seize opportunities for promoting the profession to diverse students and professionals, providing them with the tools to become future leaders.

Return to awards list

Excellence in Practice Awards: Clinical Nutrition

Patricia Catsos

MS, RDN, LD

Patsy Catsos, MS, RDN, LD is a medical nutrition therapist, FODMAP expert, and author of multiple books, the most recent of which is The IBS Elimination Diet and Cookbook (Harmony Books, 2017). The focus of her Portland, Maine practice is digestive health, including irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), gluten-related disorders, and inflammatory bowel disease. Her pioneering efforts have ushered in a new era for treating IBS patients with diet, not medicine, and the impact of her work has improved the quality of life for countless people. Patsy completed her undergraduate studies at Cornell University and earned a Master’s degree in Nutrition at Boston University, and interned at Boston’s Beth Israel Hospital.

Return to awards list

Excellence in Practice Awards: Community and Public Health

Community and Public Health: Janelle Peralez Gunn

MPH, RD

Janelle Peralez Gunn, MPH, RD is Associate Director for Policy, Partnerships and Communication, Division of Nutrition Physical Activity and Obesity (DNPAO), at the US Centers for Disease Control (CDC). She directs partner outreach in the public and private sector in support of the CDC’s work in nutrition, physical activity and obesity, working with government and non-profit organizations to provide leadership in policy development, communications, and strategic planning. She has authored or contributed to over 35 peer-reviewed publications, served many years as a preceptor for Dietetic Interns and graduate students, and served as chair of the Public Health Community Nutrition Practice Group. Janelle received her Master’s of Public Health degree from the University of Minnesota.

Return to awards list

Excellence in Practice Awards: Consultant

Kimberly A. Kirchherr

MS, RDN, LDN, CDE, ACSM-CPT, FAND

Kimberly A. Kirchherr, MS, RDN, LDN, CDE, ACSM-CPT, FAND is President of K2 Outcomes LLC. She specializes in the connection of agriculture, food, and health for individuals and organizations. Her unique background includes leadership, program development, direct patient care, and spokesperson experience in agriculture, supermarket, media (traditional and social), and hospital-based health and fitness centers. She has served as chair of the Food & Culinary Professionals Dietetic Practice Group and president of the Illinois Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. Kim, who graduated with a Master’s in Dietetics from Eastern Illinois University, connects the dots from farm to fork in a way that people are inspired to engage and take action.

Return to awards list

Excellence in Practice Awards: Education

Rebecca Brody

PhD, RD, LD, CNSC

Rebecca Brody, PhD, RD, LD, CNSC is Associate Professor in the Department of Clinical and Preventive Nutrition Sciences, School of Health Professions, Rutgers Biomedical and Health Sciences, at Rutgers University, where she also received her doctorate. She teaches in the Master’s (MSCN) and Doctor of Clinical Nutrition (DCN) programs and has guest lectured for numerous other programs. Her commitment to teaching and scholarship is illustrated by her mentorship of over 70 MSCN and DCN students in the past 13 years, many going beyond the scope of their academic requirements to present at professional conferences and publish peer-reviewed research, and encouraging them to participate in leadership roles within the Academy and the profession.

Return to awards list

Excellence in Practice Awards: Management

Terese M. Scollard

MBA, RDN, LD, FAND

Terese M. Scollard, MBA, RDN, LD, FAND is Regional Clinical Nutrition Manager at Provident Health and Services, a large, five state health system based in Portland, Oregon, where, among other responsibilities, she has led the effort to improve the awareness and treatment of malnutrition across multiple care settings. She is also the owner and consultant at MySurgeryPlate LLC, in which she provides educational resources for professionals and the public to prevent adult disease-related malnutrition and improve surgery outcomes. Terese, who interned at The Mayo Clinic & St. Mary’s Hospital, has served the Academy in many roles, including past secretary, treasurer, and chair of the Clinical Nutrition Management Dietetic Practice Group.

Return to awards list

Excellence in Practice Awards: Research

Heidi J. Silver

PhD, RDN

Heidi J. Silver, PhD, RDN is Research Professor of Medicine and Director of Diet, Body Composition, and Human Metabolism Core at Vanderbilt University Medical Center. Her research is an integral component of an emerging dynamic translational research program in obesity, the metabolic syndrome, and diabetes. She supervises a team of RDNs and research assistants who perform diet and nutrition assessments, nutrition education, nutrition counseling and nutrition therapy. Dr. Silver, who received her doctorate in Clinical Nutrition from Florida International University, Miami, has trained over 500 RDNs in diet assessment methods. Additionally, she has published 42 articles in peer-reviewed journals and been invited to speak and present research findings at 63 national meetings and 8 international meetings.

Return to awards list