The links below provide information and resources to assist nutrition and dietetics faculty and preceptors on the topic of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI). ACEND® is in the process of developing a library of reputable educational materials on DEI. This page will be updated on a regular basis with new resources. If you need further assistance, please contact ACEND Staff.
This series of four webinars is intended for programs to use within their training of faculty, students and/or preceptors to meet the 2022 Accreditation Standards. All ACEND® stakeholders (faculty, administrators, preceptors, students, interns, etc.) are invited. All sessions will be recorded and made available. Recordings of previous webinars are also available.
Training 1: Unconscious Bias
This webinar is recommended as a training for preceptors; however, it may also be used for training of faculty and/or students/interns.
Training 2: Debiasing Training
This webinar is recommended as a training for preceptors; however, it may also be used for training of faculty and/or students/interns.
Upcoming Webinars:
Cultural Competence and Cultural Humility
This webinar is recommended as a training for students/interns; however, it may also be used for training of faculty and/or preceptors.
Date: February 17, 2023
Time: 11 a.m. – noon (Central time)
Racism in Dietetics Practice
This webinar is recommended as a training for faculty; however, it may also be used for training of preceptors and/or students/interns.
Date: May 23, 2023
Time: 11 a.m. – noon (Central time)
ACEND® offers a series of webinars to address diversity, equity and inclusion in its accredited programs. The webinars are free and provide 1.5 CPEUs each. All ACEND® stakeholders (faculty, administrators, preceptors, students, interns, etc.) are invited.
Recorded Webinars:
Academy Member Interest Group Panel Discussion: Strategies to Improve Diversity and Inclusion in Dietetics Education
Supporting our LGBTQ Students and Dietetic Interns
Closing Equity Gaps in Higher Education: Lessons for Leveling the Playing Field for All Students
Supporting and Building Resilience in BIPOC Students and Dietetic Interns
Legal and Ethical Admissions Processes that Promote Diversity Webinar
Strengthening the Patient Connection: Deconstructing the Complexity of Racism and Food Webinar
Help all Students to Thrive: An Introduction to Culturally Sustaining Teaching
Holistic Admission Resources
Improving diversity, equity and inclusion in higher education is a complex issue that requires strong leadership and thoughtful and comprehensive changes. Below, find resources about implementing a holistic admissions process that is fair and inclusive.
LGBTQ Resources
Following is a list of resources to support our Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer (LGBTQ) students, interns, faculty, preceptors and patients/clients.
The Safe Zone Project Training
A free online 2-hour training that builds awareness on topics related to sexual orientation, gender identity and gender expression
Speakers: Tamara Melton, MS, RDN and Hannah Thornton, MS, RD, LD
This content is provided for informational purposes only. If you are looking to obtain CPEUs for participation, please see one of the following:
Check back soon for upcoming webinars and resources.
ACEND® has begun to identify Noteworthy Nutrition and Dietetics Education Practices on the topic of diversity, equity and inclusion among ACEND®-accredited programs. We would like to highlight programs for their DEI noteworthy practices on the ACEND® website. Noteworthy Practice Submissions are due October 14, 2022.
Noteworthy practices in the following DEI topic areas are requested:
Program directors or other individuals associated with an ACEND®-accredited program are asked to complete the submission form of their DEI noteworthy practice and email it to ACEND® for review. Submissions will be reviewed by an ACEND® Board review team and selected entries will be posted.
Email completed submission forms to ACEND@eatright.org with the subject line: DEI Noteworthy Practice Submission. View Noteworthy Practice Rubric used by ACEND®'s DEI Task Force.
VA Greater Los Angeles Healthcare System Dietetic Internship
Jillian Redgate MS, RD
Noteworthy Practice Category: Educational Activities in the Classroom and/or During Supervised Practice
The VA Greater Los Angeles Healthcare System (VAGLAHS) Dietetic Internship has implemented a 26-week multimedia (podcasts, articles, videos, and interactive web content) Diversity, Equity, and Belonging (DEB) curriculum for the 2021-2022 academic year. The objectives are to improve interns' cultural competence and humility, increase awareness of implicit biases, and understand how increased competence, humility and awareness of biases can improve patient care. The curriculum aims to teach interns about the principle in the 2018 Code of Ethics for the Nutrition and Dietetics Profession: "Social responsibility for local, regional, national, and global nutrition and well-being (Justice)" and meets the ACEND competencies CRDN 2.11, CRDN 2.14, CRDN 3.5 and CRDN 3.10.
Volunteers from diverse backgrounds reviewed the material and provided helpful recommendations. Topics include privilege, anti-racism, health at every size, race-based medicine, the effects of chronic stress and trauma on health, microaggressions, mental health stigma, ableism, intersectionality, DEB at work and in dietetics, and numerous weeks exploring specific groups including Black, Latinx, AAHNPI, Indigenous, Jewish, Muslim and LGBTQ+ people.
The interns completed 3 Harvard Implicit Bias Tests prior to beginning the curriculum and anonymously recorded their scores. They were surveyed after the first 6 weeks with positive results, indicating they felt the curriculum was improving their cultural humility, competency, and helping to improve their care of patients/clients. They will repeat Harvard Implicit Bias Test results after week 26, ideally with improved scores. We plan to update the curriculum annually to ensure the material remains fresh and relevant.
