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Spotlights

Learn about IDEA projects from the Academy, its organizational units and affiliates as they share their insights and experiences — serving as inspiration for other initiatives, developing collaborative relationships and demonstrating that together, we can achieve the Academy's inclusion, diversity, equity and access impact goals.

In 2020, the New York State Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics (NYSAND) appointed a Diversity and Inclusion (D&I) Liaison to plan and facilitate D&I outreach and initiatives that meet Academy and NYSAND strategic plans, promotes and increases representation of diverse individuals in the profession and increases cultural competency of its members. Additionally, NYSAND districts have appointed diversity positions and hosted events to further advance D&I efforts on the local level.

Program Components

  • Inclusion and Diversity: How YOU Can Increase Diversity and Inclusion in the Field of Nutrition and Dietetics: Virtual webinar led by Naudia Jones, RD, CDN (she/her) and Jane Calvert, RD (they/them) to help dietitians and nutrition professionals develop skills to foster a more inclusive environment for students, interns, and colleagues from diverse communities while examining personal biases and how this impacts working with diverse communities.
  • Academy D&I Mini-Grant: These funds will be used to provide full membership scholarships and scholarships to NYSAND's annual meeting for students, RDNs and NDTRs from underrepresented groups in dietetics and to conduct member surveys.
  • Virtual Meetup & Workshop: A meet and greet event and workshop to discuss D&I and its future in NYSAND and the profession.
  • NYSAND DEI Committee: Comprised of students, RDNs and retired RDNs from underrepresented groups in dietetics who will help carry out D&I efforts.
  • Spotlight on Diversity: Column in NYSAND's monthly newsletter that highlights D&I outreach and initiatives across New York State.
  • Greater New York Dietetic Association's (GNYDA) Mary Swartz Rose Memorial Lecture: This lecture, entitled "Nutrition Considerations of Gender Affirming Therapies in the Transgender Community," was led by Zachari Breeding, MS, RDN, CSO, LDN, FAND, who discussed nutrition care and interventions for the transgender community.
  • GNYDA Diversity Roundtable event: This virtual event moderated by Maya Feller, MS, RD, CDN and Vanessa Rissetto, MS, RD, CDN, featured a panel discussion on diversity, why it's important, actionable steps that can be taken and more. Panelists include Jonathan Valdez, MBA, RDN, CSG, CDN, CCM, CDCES, ACE-CPT and Kameron Rowe, MS, RDN, CDN.
  • Westchester Rockland Dietetic Association's (WRDA) 2019 Clinical Update: WRDA's 2019 Clinical Update event entitled "Diversity and Cultural Considerations in Nutrition" featured four speakers who spoke on the importance of diversity in nutrition.
  • WRDA Student Career Panel Video: WRDA hosted its 4th Annual Student Career Panel, which introduces high school and college students in Westchester and Rockland counties to the nutrition profession. The event's goal was to demonstrate and encourage D&I within the field.
  • Long Island Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics (LIAND) webinar: This webinar, entitled "Believing Children are Our Future: Serving Equity and Impartiality with Child Meals," was led by Teresa Turner, MS, RD, LDN, SNS, FAND, who discussed Social Determinants of Health and how systemic racism impacts equity and the behaviors and mindsets of those we serve.

In 2020, the DBC Leadership Team launched the DBC Diversity and Inclusion Communications Program, which provides members with essential tools and education to recognize, value, and effectively address the needs of various audiences, including but not limited to culture, ethnicity, gender, race, age, body size/image, capability (rather than disability), religion, sexual orientation, socioeconomic status, geography, education and philosophy.

Program Components To-Date

The South Carolina Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics (SCAND) implemented a Diversity and Inclusion (D&I) Strategic Plan for 2020-2021 and has made tremendous strides towards accomplishing its objectives. Like the Academy did with its revised Strategic Plan, D&I is now a focus area on the overall SCAND Strategic Plan. The SCAND D&I Strategic Plan includes 5 key points: Accountability, Marketing, Visibility, Relationships, and Leadership.

Program Components To-Date

  • SCAND D&I Web Page: content includes links to articles by or featuring practitioners in SC, videos by practitioners of color in SC, webinars, and Academy communications.
  • Academy D&I Mini-Grant (2020-2021): funds were used to pay Academy dues and SCAND 2021 Annual Meeting registration for 11 individuals (seven students, one intern, two RD/RDNs, one DTR/NDTR) from underrepresented groups in S.C.
  • Academy D&I Mini-Grant (2021-2022): funds were used to offer three D&I webinars for free to Academy members/non-members and engage students/interns in S.C. to plan their own affiliate student association to focus on D&I and student resources. The mini-grant application was jointly created by the SCAND D&I Liaison and a distance intern of color, whom the liaison precepted for 80 hours in January 2021. The webinars are:
  • Career Presentations: created presentations on becoming RDNs and NDTRs at high schools (especially underrepresented populations) and HBCUs in SC. Each district identified a District D&I Ambassador to give the presentations, which include three different audiences - high school students; college students, but undeclared or undecided major; and college students majoring in nutrition, food science, and/or dietetics.
  • Leadership: district and state nominating chairs and Presidents were reminded verbally and via email to actively invite underrepresented RDNs to run for elected office or serve in appointed positions.
  • Social Media Campaign: Eight videos featuring seven RDNs and one DTR in various professional positions were released in February 2021. The speakers share their stories of becoming dietetics professionals of color. The videos can be found at the SCAND D&I Web Page.
  • Webinars:

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