July 2017 Newsletter

July 2017 Newsletter

Greetings to all of our Members of MSAND! 

Dr. Connie Black and I were given the opportunity to attend the Public Policy Workshop in Washington D.C. this past month. We spent one day in conferences with our National Academy Presidency learning about the items we were going to discuss on the Hill the next day. The 3 main items were wanted to focus on with our respective representatives were: 1. Continue support for the Farm Bill, 2. Continue support for the Prevention Fund, and 3. Recognizing the Academy for 100 years of dedicated service. We met with representatives for Senator Wicker and Senator Cochran took some time to meet with us personally. He even provided a verbal confirmation that he would support the Resolution to recognize the Academy for 100 years of service. We also able to meet with representatives for all of our Congressmen and received one verbal confirmation of support for the Resolution to recognize the Academy for 100 years of service from Congressmen Palazzo’s Office.

We had a great team of dietitians to represent Mississippi including myself, Dr. Connie Black, Brent Fountain, Linda Pennington and Elise Smith

This was a great opportunity to share our concerns and views on behalf of our profession and our state. I challenge all of you to get involved with your local and national representatives so they can see the importance of our field and how many Dietitians call Mississippi their home.

“IF NUTRITION IS YOUR PROFESSION, PUBLIC POLICY SHOULD BE YOUR PASSION!”

Best,
Ashley Thomas, MS, RDN, LDN
President 2017-2018, MS-AND

MS-AND Volunteer Needed – Nominating Committee

Would you like to get to know other dietitians practicing in Mississippi? Serving on the MS-AND Board of Directors is a great way to do that! There are several positions to fit a variety of skill sets such as Secretary, Chair of the Council on Professional Issues, Nominating Committee member, and several more. The Board of Directors meets about 5 times a year (a couple of the meetings are conference calls and the others are face-to-face). The Academy’s fiscal year begins June 1 to May 31st. Mary Beth Sheffield served on the Nominating Committee and enjoyed getting to know dietitians all across Mississippi that she wouldn’t have gotten to know otherwise. Serving on the Nominating Committee is a 3 year term. The first 2 years, she was a member of the committee and the 3rd year she served as chair of the committee. She worked with the other 2 members to fill vacancies on the Board of Directors and to select award recipients (such as Outstanding Dietitian of the Year, Recognized young Dietitian of the Year,and Emerging Dietitian). Through this experience, Mary Beth says she really enjoyed networking with other dietitians, gaining valuable professional experience, and learning new policies related to the field of dietetics. She also enjoyed learning about other dietitians’ work experiences. “I am very thankful for the opportunity to be on the Board of Directors. It’s definitely an experience I could not have found anywhere else.” If you are interested in knowing more about upcoming positions to be filled on the Board of Directors, check the MS-AND website at eatrightmississippi.org Refer questions to the current chair of the nominating committee, Carol Ball, at [email protected] or 662-312-6315.

FDA and USDA Updates

The Food and Drug Administration announced on June 13 that the compliance date for the Nutrition Facts Label final rules will be extended. This extension is based on feedback from industry and consumer groups. For more information about the changes to the Nutrition Facts Label visit: https://www.fda.gov/Food/GuidanceRegulation/GuidanceDocumentsRegulatoryInformation/LabelingNutrition/ucm385663.htm#dates

Did you know that the USDA Snap-Ed Connection has recipes for each month of the year with ideas for healthy, thrifty meals? Check out all the options here: https://snaped.fns.usda.gov/recipes-menus/healthy-thrifty-holiday-menus

Academy Updates

Heart Failure Evidence-Based Nutrition Practice Guideline and Supporting Systematic Reviews

 
The Academy is pleased to announce the publication of the 2017 Heart Failure Evidence-Based Nutrition Practice Guideline on the Evidence Analysis Library© (EAL©). The Heart Failure (HF) 2017 Guideline provides an evidence-based summary of medical nutrition therapy for adults with heart failure (NYHA Classes I-IV/AHA Stages B, C and D).

The Guideline includes 17 recommendations based on the EAL systematic reviews, the American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association Task Force 2013 and 2016 Guidelines, and the European Society of Cardiology 2016 Guidelines, in the following topic areas:

• Medical Nutrition Therapy
• Nutrition Assessment
• Assessment of Energy Needs
• Energy and Protein Intake
• Sodium and Fluid Intake
• Physical Activity
• Educate on Self-Care
• Coordination of Care
• Monitor and Evaluate Effectiveness of Medical Nutrition Therapy

The Systematic Reviews, which supports the guideline, focuses on five sub-topics:

• Medical Nutrition Therapy (MNT)
• Energy
• Protein
• Sodium and Fluid
• Nutrient Intake and Supplementation

The EAL® is a synthesis of the best, most relevant nutrition research on important dietetic practice questions. Nearly 40 systematic reviews and 18 evidence-based guidelines are housed within an accessible, online, user‐friendly website. Access is free to Academy members – individual and group subscriptions are available. Visit www.andeal.org/hf to view the guideline.
 
Upcoming Webinar – Medicare’s new Quality Payment Program
With the aging of the baby boomer generation and more than 10,000 Americans turning 65 each day, optimizing value in the delivery and payment of Medicare services is more important than ever.
 
Signed into law in April 2015, the Medicare Access and CHIP Reauthorization Act (MACRA) created a new way for Medicare Part B providers to get paid for their services. The new Quality Payment Program (QPP) shifts payment away from fee-for-service to pay-for-performance. 
 
Join experts from the Academy’s Nutrition Services Payment Committee and the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services to learn about this new reporting and payment program and what it means for you.
 
Date: July 25, 2017
Time: 12 noon to 1:30 pm CST
Register Here
CPE: 1.5 hours (pending final approval)
Speakers:  Natalie Stephens RDN, LD, FAND and Oluyemisi Aderomilehin, MPH, CPH, CHES

ACEND – Future Education Model Accreditation Standards
The ACEND Board is pleased to announce the release of the Future Education Model Accreditation Standards for Associate, Bachelor’s and Graduate Degree Programs.  ACEND invites programs interested in being accredited under these standards to apply to be an early adopter demonstration program.  The Standards and information about the demonstration program application process can be found at: www.eatrightpro.org/FutureModel.  A copy of the June Standards Update also is posted on this webpage.
 
Please share this information with your colleagues.  If you or they have questions, please send them to [email protected] or call 312-899-4872, so we can respond to them.  Future editions of the monthly update will include these questions and an ACEND response.
 
2017-2019 Diversity Leaders Announced
The Academy is pleased to announce the 2017-2019 Diversity Leaders: Cassandra (Sandi) Holt, RDN, LDN; Prajakta Khare-Ranade, MSc, RDN, LD, CDE, FAND; Renee Conklin, MS, RD; and Suzanne (Suzie) Domel Baxter, PhD, RD, LD, FADA, FAND. The Diversity Leaders Program supports Active members from underrepresented groups within the dietetics profession. Congratulations to the new class! Learn more at www.eatrightPRO.org/diversity.
 
2017 Diversity Action Award Recipient Announced
The Academy is pleased to announce that Central Valley WIC Dietetic Internship Program has been chosen as the recipient of the 2017 Diversity Action Award. The Diversity Action Award is given to an educational institution, Affiliate dietetic association, dietetic practice group or other recognized Academy group in recognition of past accomplishments. Congratulations to Central Valley WIC!
http://www.eatrightpro.org/resource/leadership/honors-and-awards/diversity-awards-and-grants/diversity-action-award
 
Fellows Look toward the Future
Are you a leader who gets things done, serves your community and pursues lifelong learning? It’s time to be recognized as a Fellow of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics (FAND). As the Academy celebrates 100 years and moves into its Second Century, showcase your expertise to employers, colleagues, clients and the public, now and forever. Apply online today. http://www.eatrightpro.org/fellow
 
May Edition: MNT Provider
Learn about the drivers of health care innovation, practice and payment resources, and the limitations of balanced billing practices in the latest issue of the MNT Provider.
http://www.eatrightstore.org/product/E97EAA83-1BE6-42CB-A5FD-7FE7E3444BEF
 
CDR Updates

SME/Facilitator Recruitment
The Commission on Dietetic Registration (CDR) is recruiting Subject Matter Experts (SME) in obesity as well as expert facilitators to assist with the development and presentation of instructional content and adult learning-focused strategies for the Certificate of Training Program: Adult Weight Management.
 
Applications are due on Monday, August 7, 2017 for the project to be completed by winter 2018. Access more information and application form: https://www.cdrnet.org/application-for-weight-management-sme-and-facilitators. 
 
CDR Advanced Practitioner Certification in Clinical Nutrition
Because clinical nutrition is who you are not just what you do. The perfect opportunity to advance your credential has arrived:  CDR Advanced Practitioner Certification in Clinical Nutrition
 
The Commission on Dietetic Registration (CDR) is offering an advanced practitioner certification in clinical nutrition for registered dietitians (RD) with four or more years of clinical nutrition practice. Apply now for the November 2017 examination window!
 
Applications for November 2017 examination window are due August 31, 2017: https://www.cdrnet.org/board-certification-in-advanced-practice
 
CDR: Certificate of Training
Certificate of Training in Adult Weight Management Program

• September 29 – October 1, 2017 ~ Phoenix, Arizona
• October 19-21, 2017 ~ Chicago, Illinois
• November 16-18, 2017 ~ Orlando, Florida

For registration information and to view the certificate requirements, timeline, registration deadlines and agenda: https://www.cdrnet.org/weight-management-adult-program
 
Certificate of Training in Childhood and Adolescent Weight Management Program
September 7-9, 2017 ~ Memphis, Tennessee
 
For registration information and to view the certificate requirements, timeline, registration deadlines and agenda: http://cdrnet.org/weight-management-childhood-adolescent-program
 
Level 2 Certificate of Training in Adult Weight Management Program
October 19-21, 2017 ~ Chicago, Illinois
 
For registration information and to view the certificate requirements, timeline, registration deadlines and agenda: http://www.cdrnet.org/weight-management/level2?preview=true
 
Latest Academy Products

Earn CPEU with these NEW Online Certificate of Training Programs
Public Health Nutrition
Develop competency and earn CPEUs online with this program concerning the emerging and exciting area of public health nutrition. The level two program consists of five modules covering the foundations of public health nutrition, developing, implementing and evaluating a plan, and much more! This program has been developed by the Academy’s Center for Lifelong Learning and planned with the Association of State Public Health Nutritionists (ASPHN) and the Committee for Public Health/Community Nutrition (CPHCN) and the Public Health and Community Nutrition Practice Group (PHCNPG). 
 
The Latest Webinars Let You Earn CPEUs On Your Own Time
Order any of the Center for Lifelong Learning’s hot-topic webinar series recordings and earn group or individual learning credits. Here are just a few of the newest recorded webinars.
Branding: Creating Your Professional Image
Supermarket Victory: Optimizing Sports Performance through Step-by-Step Shopping
Beyond the App Game: Integrating Mobile Apps into Dietetics Practice
Orthorexia Comes of Age: Perspectives on the Healthy Eating Disorder
 
See the full list of exciting upcoming and recorded webinars.
 

MS-AND Member Discussion Board

We have created a private forum for MS-AND members to communicate with each other to share resources, ask questions, and interact more. To subscribe to the discussion board simply send an email that contains your full name and Academy ID number to [email protected] and you will be approved shortly.

Once you are subscribed you can post directly from your email by sending your questions, resource, or discussion topic directly to [email protected]. The group has been quiet so far, but please don’t be shy! This was created for us to interact more effectively with each other.

Consumer Protection Reminder

I am Constance Shelby, the Consumer Protection Coordinator for MS-AND. As we work to provide excellent service to patients, just a reminder to let us know about instances of both harm and success you hear about other practitioners to help promote the entire profession.

If you would like to report any stories of harm or success, please email them to [email protected]