President’s Message
Your 2018-2019 MS-AND Board is Ready to Roll!
Members of the 2018-2019 MS-AND Board met for a business retreat and board meeting on September 7, 2018. The group discussed operational strategies for the affiliate, including the transition from a district set up to a regional set up, as well as plans for the 2019 MS-AND annual conference were discussed.
(left to right) Roxanne Kingston, Nominating Committee Member; Laura Ewoldt, Nominating Committee Chair; Brady Taylor, President-elect; Leslie Dooley, Nominating Committee, Chair-elect; Rebecca Butz, Council on Education and Research, Chair; Jenna Moore, Diet Manuel Manager; Emmy Parkes, Public Policy Coordinator; (not pictured) Lydia West, President. Jennifer Warfel, Sectretary; Karen Lewis, Delegate; Sally Kate Collins, Northeast District President; Emily Johnson, Northwest District President; Carrie Kiley, MS-AND Executive Director; and Rachel Whitlock, the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics Affiliate Coordinator were on the conference call line.
MS-AND’s Next Steps
The members of the Mississippi Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics (MS-AND) are leaders in the fields of food, nutrition and dietetics. The MS-AND Board members want to be a source of support, assistance and encouragement for our members. One of the ways that this affiliate will continue to be there for our members will take place of the coming months as our affiliate transitions from a district arrangement to a regional arrangement. This transition will be complete as we begin our 2019-2020 year.
The 2018-2019 MS-AND Board of Directors is working with a leadership team to develop the regional groups across the state. We believe that this is a benefit for our members for several reasons, including:
- District leaders will no longer have to submit agreements to the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, an administrative duty that each district president has to complete every year under our current system;
- Each region will be led by an appointed committee rather than electing district president-elect, secretary and treasurers each year;
- Regions can be adjusted by vote of the MS-AND board based on member involvement to accommodate any regions who may be inactive;
- The financial liability of managing a district will be removed because all financial and program decisions would be submitted to and approved by the MS-AND Board of Directors;
- Fewer volunteers will be needed to manage the regions because most functions will be supported by MS-AND at the affiliate level; and
- Education programs and other opportunities will be funded through general MS-AND funds and organizational sponsorship, relieving the financial responsibilities of each district Board of Directors.
If you have any questions or concerns about this transition, please contact Lydia West, MS-AND president, at [email protected] or Carrie Kiley, MS-AND Executive Director at [email protected].
MS-AND Fall #FNDinner Party
Early in 2018, Food and Nutrition magazine encouraged dietitians to have virtual dinner parties as a way for us to sit down to eat together with friends and colleagues as a way to get to know each other better (https://foodandnutrition.org/from-the-magazine/virtual-dinner-party/). MS-AND hosted on at Weidmann’s in Meridian before the 2018 annual conference. We are working with members all over the state for our next #FNDinner Party on Thursday, November 15, 2018. Look for more details in the October newsletter.
Mississippi is Advancing the Culture of Health through the 2018 MS Public Health Association Annual Meeting
The Mississippi Public Health Association’s annual meeting will be October 18-19 at the Hilton in Jackson. MS-AND is so proud that we have two members who will present at that meeting: Rebecca Turner will present “As You Think…. So You Eat” and Qula Madkin will present “Finger Licking Good”. There will be several CPEU events for registered dietitians. Check out the MPHA website to learn more: http://www.mspha.org/annual-conference/
MS-AND Wants You!
The members of the Mississippi Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics (MS-AND) are professionals dedicated to improving the nutritional status of their clients and the public. We are the most reliable source of Nutrition Education available. MS-AND members are trained to deliver nutrition information in a variety of settings and practice in every area of our state.
We want you to be a part of our leadership team. The MS-AND nominating committee is seeking nominations for the 2019-2020 board for the following positions:
- President Elect
- Secretary
- Chair-Elect CPI
- Chair-Elect COER
- Nominating Committee Member
Please visit https://eatrightmississippi.org/volunteer/ for descriptions of each position and contact information for the nominating committee.
Celebrating the Success of Child Nutrition
The 49th annual Mississippi School Nutrition Association (MSNA) will be in Natchez, MS this year at the Grand Hotel and Convention Center. There will be plenty of opportunities for registered dietitians to attain CPEUs at the interest sessions on November 9th and 10th. Check out the Fall MSNA newsletter for more information: http://www.schoolnutrition-ms.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/133484-MSNA-Fall-2018.pdf
Who’s Going to FNCE?
A bunch of people from the Magnolia State, that’s who. We are so excited for all of the poster presentations that Mississippians will present at The Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics Food & Nutrition Conference & Expo in Washington, D.C. on October 20-23, 2018. If you are going attend FNCE, please let our affiliate president, Lydia West, know by emailing her at [email protected]. She’ll be on the lookout for all of the Mississippians who will be in our Capitol City.
September Spotlight on Malnutrition
During the month of September, the Academy’s spotlight on malnutrition will aim to increase awareness and underscore the role that registered dietitian nutritionists and nutrition and dietetic technicians, registered play in prevention and treatment of malnutrition for pediatrics, adult and senior populations, special populations, and global malnutrition.
The Academy will feature free webinars, events, and research and practice resources throughout the month. Please share this information with your Members. Additional information on webinars, materials, and events can be found here.
Here are the following areas which have corresponding research, events, and educational opportunities during each week of September:
Pediatric Malnutrition: September 4 to 7
Adult and Senior Malnutrition: September 10 to 14
Special Populations and Malnutrition: September 17 to 21
Global Malnutrition: September 24 to 28
MS-AND Board Member Spotlight
Mary Burks, RDN, LDN, SNS
City: Jackson
Workplace: Office of Child Nutrition
Position with MS-AND Board of Directors: Treasurer
Tell us what your position is responsible for, and what you like most about it:
– I am responsible for maintaining the financial records. I enjoy providing a contribution to MS-AND.
What is your favorite hobby/pastime outside of work?
– Reading and camping
What is your favorite place to visit in Mississippi and why?
– I enjoy the nature trails and the wonderful outdoors.
MS-AND Member Spotlight
Rebecca Butz, MS, RD, LD
City: Jackson
Workplace: University of Mississippi Medical Center
What do you like most about your position?
– I work in dialysis at UMMC and we are the only pediatric dialysis unit in the state so I get a very unique set of challenges that just cannot be taught in schools. I love that my clinic allows designated time for the RD to sit down with all the patients every month to help with any nutritional concerns or inadequacies. This is something I did not have in previous jobs so it is nice to have an interdisciplinary team that makes time for nutrition!
What is your favorite hobby/pastime outside of work?
– Honestly, I really enjoy running/exercising. And Jackson is an awesome place to be for people enjoy fitness/wellness, believe it or not! There’s always something going on in the metro area – boot camps, run clubs, community workout classes, pub runs, fun runs…
What is your favorite place to visit in Mississippi and why?
– Front Beach in Ocean Springs. It’s perfect for running, biking, sightseeing, bird watching, sunbathing, yoga, swimming, and I am sure so much more. Plus, some of the best food/drinks in the state is a few blocks away in downtown.
New Academy Staff Member
The Academy’s Affiliate Relations Team is growing! Rachel Whitlock has joined the team as the Affiliate Relations Coordinator. Rachel will be helping to support the affiliate team on various projects and communications, including working with MS-AND. She joined the Academy back in August and is eager to work with MS-AND and the other affiliates.