Darlene Dougherty, Dedicated Advocate for the Profession, Receives Academy's Highest Honor

October 8, 2025

CHICAGO – Darlene Dougherty, MS, RD, FAND, LD, champion for the field of nutrition and dietetics, will receive the 2025 Lifetime Achievement Award, the highest honor given by the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, the world's largest organization of food and nutrition professionals.

Dougherty will accept her award on October 11 during the Academy's Food & Nutrition Conference & Expo^® in Nashville, Tenn.

With a career spanning more than 50 years, Dougherty has served as a leader of the Academy at every level, including President of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. She has held elected and appointed leadership roles at the national, state, district and dietetic practice group levels. Through her leadership, Dougherty has contributed to the Academy's governance, policy and professional development efforts.

An Academy member since 1966, Dougherty has dedicated her expertise to inspiring future generations of food and nutrition professionals, serving as a mentor and encouraging them to take on their own leadership roles within the Academy.

As stated in a nomination letter by the 2024 Lifetime Achievement Award Winner Dr. Evelyn Ford Crayton, EdD, RDN, LDN, FAND: "Darlene's contributions to nutrition and dietetics extend far beyond leadership; she has been a pioneer in education, business, management and legislative advocacy. She has developed curricula for universities, authored and edited key publications, contributed to scientific research and led legislative efforts in multiple states. Her work has been instrumental in expanding opportunities for dietitians in business, technology and entrepreneurship, reinforcing the value of dietitians in a variety of professional settings."

Today, Dougherty is a medical nutrition therapist at Banner Lassen Medical Center where she ensures clients get the nutrition expertise they need and also develops and maintains the medical center's diet manual and training modules. In addition, she runs her own business as a management consultant.

More information is available on the Academy's 2025 national honors and award winners.

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Representing more than 112,000 credentialed nutrition and dietetics practitioners, the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics is the world’s largest organization of food and nutrition professionals. The Academy is committed to improving health and advancing the profession of dietetics through research, education and advocacy. Visit the Academy at www.eatright.org.