Outstanding Preceptor Award Winners

At the request of the Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics, the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics Foundation funds six awards on behalf of the Nutrition and Dietetic Educators and Preceptors group and ACEND^® to recognize preceptors who are exemplary educators and mentors. The award recipients receive a $1,000 award, funded by the Academy Foundation.

Please be on the alert for opportunities that will be available to you to recognize and support the contribution that preceptors are making to the profession.

2026 Outstanding Preceptor Award Winners

North East

Jennifer Salt Taylor, MS, RDN, CHES
Rutgers Cooperative Extension of Passaic County

Nominated by:
Jane Pilanski, MS, RDN
Montclair State University

North Central

Calla Ziegler, MS, RDN, LDN
Lt. Col. Luke Weathers, Jr. VA Medical Center

Nominated by:
Jyotsna Sharman, PhD, MS, MBA, RDN, LDN, FAND
Lt. Col. Luke Weathers, Jr. VA Medical Center

South Central

Kasey Spilman, MS, RD, CNSC, LD
Northside Hospital

Nominated by:
Sunitha Zechariah PhD, RD, LD, CNSC, FAND
Morrison Healthcare Dietetic Internship

South East

Mallory Foster, RD, CNSC, CCTD
UVA Health

Nominated by:
Angie Hasemann Bayliss, MS, RDN
UVA Health

West Coast

Kristina Brown, RDN, MPH
Vista Manor Nursing Center

Nominated by:
Kasuen Mauldin, PhD, RDN
San Jose State University

West Central

Roaxana Poskey, MS, RDN, CNSC, FAND
Michael E. DeBakey VA Medical Center Dietetic Internship Program

Nominated by:
Kristy Becker, MS, RDN, LD, FAND
Michael E. DeBakey VA Medical Center Dietetic Internship Program