President’s Message

Hi everyone!

We are on the countdown to a great 2023 Annual Conference. I hope to see you all there. Registration is open and the early bird rates are available until March 1. Click here to learn more: https://eatrightmississippi.org/2023-annual-conference/

Things are humming right along for the Mississippi Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. The Board of Directors had a virtual meeting on January 12, 2023. It was a very productive meeting:

  • Ellen Ossorio, our President-elect, gave us an update on how conference planning is going
  • Laurel Lambert, our Professional Development Chair, gave an abstract overview
  • The board approved a nomination of Qula Madkin as the Consultation and Private Practice dietitian and Jennifer Lemacks as the Dietetic Education dietitian to the Mississippi Council of Advisors in Dietetics.
  • I gave an update on the Social Media Committee and our 2023 MS-AND Legislative Day

I hope you will read more information about these events below.

In January, I was also able to meet with the regional coordinators and make some plans for the upcoming months. Look for professional development and meet ups planned for this spring.

Also in January, members of the MS-AND Board of Directors met with members of the Louisiana Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics and the Alabama Dietetics Association to begin plans for a 2023 virtual joint symposium, which will be held late summer.

In March, a survey will be sent to MS-AND members and a separate survey will be sent to non-members to help us learn more about what you would like from a professional organization like this one as well as what we can do to better support you. We will use this information to help move this organization forward.

MS-AND will hold elections for 2023-2024 officers in March. Please consider running, or nominating someone to run, for:

  • President-elect
  • Treasurer-elect
  • Secretary
  • Nominating Committee Member
  • Professional Development Chair-elect
  • Delegate

Contact [email protected] to learn more about each of these positions.

This month Ellen, Lindsey Mixon – our Past President, and I have been working on finalizing plans for the 2023 annual conference and business meeting. I have also been working with many of the MS-AND committees to help support the movement of this organization. 

I hope that you are taking time this month to honor Black History Month and acknowledge the work and accomplishments of so many people to our profession, as well as to our country.  

Thank you for all that you do for Mississippi and for our profession!

Sincerely,
Lydia West, MPH, RDN, LD, SNS, President
Mississippi Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics

MS-AND 2023 Annual Conference

Join us for the 2023 MS Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics Annual Conference and Business Meeting on March 27 and 28th in Oxford, MS. Registration is now open. Up to 12 hours of CPE will be applied for. Visit https://eatrightmississippi.org/2023-annual-conference/ or contact [email protected] for more information.

Sponsor the MS-AND 2023 Annual Conference

Being a sponsor or an exhibitor at the MS-AND 2023 Annual Conference is a great opportunity to let others know about the great work that is going on in Mississippi. Consider one of the MS-AND packages in our sponsorship prospectus for the 2023 MS-AND Annual Conference, available here. Please pass this prospect along to your business office. It is a great opportunity to highlight businesses around Mississippi and meet with at least 150 registered dietitians, dietetic interns, as well as students in the fields of food, nutrition, and dietetics.

Completed agreements and any questions can be emailed to [email protected].

Call for Nominations

The Mississippi Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics wants you to join our team. We have a lot of great thing happening and we need you! Open roles include:

  • President-elect
  • Treasurer-elect
  • Secretary
  • Nominating Committee Member
  • Professional Development Chair-elect
  • Delegate

Contact [email protected], [email protected] (Lydia West), or [email protected] (Teresa Walker-Cartwright) for more information.

A Tisket A Tasket

Help us contribute to The Academy Foundation and The Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics Policial Action Committee (ANDPAC) by donating a fundraising basket at the 2023 MS-AND Annual Meeting. Contact Lydia West ([email protected]) with your questions or to coordinate getting your basket to conference. Some ideas for themes for the baskets are: spring, college spirit, gardening, food/restaurants, coffee lovers, jewelry, purses, camping, busy family, summer fun, art supplies, relaxation, grillers delight, golfers, book club, or cooking tools. 

Thank you for your support!

Seeking Reviewers – 2023 MS-AND Diet Manual

Hello to all!

My name is Jenna Moore. I currently serve as the 2022-23 MS-AND Diet Manual Manager. Thank you to everyone that has volunteered to review sections for the Diet Manual. I’m still seeking at least one but a maximum of two reviewers for the content of the following section with each subsection listed under it. Compensation is available for reviewers.

Chapter 6: Diets with Protein Modifications
Diet for Hepatitis; Diet for Cirrhosis without Encephalopathy; Diet for Hepatic Encephalopathy; Daily Dietary Guidelines for Adults with Renal Disease; Acute Renal Failure Diet; Chronic Kidney Disease; Food Guide for People with Chronic Kidney Disease; Food Guide for People on Hemodialysis or Peritoneal Dialysis; Food Choices for Renal Diets; Pediatric Renal Patients; Daily Nutrients and Fluid Requirements for the Child with CKD; Phosphorus, Calcium and Vitamin D in Renal Disease; High Phosphorus Foods; Vitamin and Mineral Supplementation in Renal Failure; Fiber; Urea Kinetic Modeling; Vegetarians and Renal Disease; Chronic Renal Failure in People with Diabetes; Nephrotic Syndrome; Nephrolithiasis; Intradialytic Parenteral Nutrition; Intraperitoneal Nutrition; Eating Out with Renal Disease; Brown Bag Meal Ideas; Nutrition Education Materials, Cookbook and Supplement Information

I’ll send the corresponding section to you in Microsoft Word format via e-mail. Please place any additions/suggestions in red text and deletions in a crossed-out format, so I’ll know what has been changed. The changes will need to be back to me no later than March 1, 2023. There is a limit of two reviewers for the section. A stipend will be provided for each reviewer.

Thank you so much for your help in advance. I look forward to receiving your input.

Sincerely,
Jenna Moore, MS, RD, LD
2022-23 MS-AND Diet Manual Manager

Health Advocacy Day

MS-AND will host an inaugural health advocacy training day on March 1st. We are applying for 4 ½ hours of virtual continuing education credit and 1 ½ hours of in-person continuing education credit. Please watch our social media (@eatrightms on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter as well as our next e-blast for registration information).

Registered Dietitians are well Represented in Mississippi School Nutrition Programs

The Mississippi School Nutrition Association 2023 Annual Conference Planning Committee met in January. There were many registered dietitian nutritionists who serve on this committee. The MSNA Annual Conference will be held November 2-4, 2023 in Biloxi, MS. Visit https://www.schoolnutrition-ms.org/ for more information.

Central Region’s February Lunch and Learn

The Central Region of MS-AND had a lunch and learn on February 8 at Panera Bread in Flowood. Virginia Boles, MS, RDN, LD presented “Navigating Eating Disorders in Mississippi”. Their next event will be in April.

MS-AND President Speaks at MS Department of Transportation Lunch and Learn 

On Wednesday, February 15, MS-AND President, Lydia West, presented “Heart Healthy Ideas that will Power you through your Day” to staff at the MS Department of Transportation at a employee wellness lunch and learn. The organization is working to support employees health and wellness through many activities, including monthly lunch and learn sessions on a variety of topics. 

Participants in the February event also learned about The Physical Activity Guidelines and Move Your Way. They also sampled a Quinoa Salad with Broccoli and Tomatoes, as well as Blueberry Vanilla Energy Bites, both recipes developed by To Taste.

Seeking Members’ Input: Critical HOD Issues

As an Academy member, you have a finger on the pulse of trends affecting the nutrition and dietetics profession. Learn more about how the House of Delegates addresses critical issues — and submit your suggestions for consideration. 

Learn More

Dietary Guidelines Affinity Group

Child Nutrition Programs Proposed Rule: Revisions to the CACFP & SFSP Webinar

 

The Academy is a proud co-sponsor of the FNS webinar, “Child Nutrition Programs Proposed Rule: Revisions to the CACFP & SFSP Webinar,” taking place on Wednesday, March 1 at 2:30 p.m. (Eastern Time). USDA will provide an overview of the proposed rule Child Nutrition Programs: Revisions to Meal Patterns to be Consistent with the 2020 Dietary Guidelines for Americans and its impact to operators of the Child and Adult Care Food Program and Summer Food Service Program. There is no cost to attend – click here to register.

Farm Bill 101: Demystifying the Largest Piece of Legislation That Directly Affects SNAP 

On Tuesday, February 21 at noon (Eastern Time), FRAC is hosting a webinar that will provide attendees with all they need to know about the Farm Bill, including what state partners can do to promote SNAP benefit adequacy and equitable access. With the hunger cliff looming, elevating the needs of people with lower incomes in the Farm Bill is more important than ever. Click here to register for this complimentary webinar.

Academy Members: Join the Academy’s Affinity Groups!

Learn more and register here

Free NAS Workshop: Artificial Intelligence in Health Professions Education

Registration is open for a free workshop in March, sponsored by the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering and Medicine, on “Maximizing the Promise and Mitigating the Peril of Artificial Intelligence in Health Professions Education.” The March 15-16 workshop will be in-person in Washington, D.C., and also online, on with a pre-workshop session on March 3. There is required reading for the workshop

March 9-11: Sports and Human Performance Nutrition DPG’s First In-Person Symposium
Learn about innovations and applications in sports and human performance March 9 to 11 in Houston, Texas.
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March 30 and April 6: Healthy Aging DPG’s Virtual Conference
HA’s 2023 virtual conference on March 30 and April 6 will address emerging trends in the older adult.
Learn More

April 27-29: Clinical Nutrition Management In-Person Symposium
CNM’s 2023 symposium New Heights: Elevating Nutrition and Dietetics Practice will be held in in Raleigh, N.C., April 27 to 29.
Learn More