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2025 National Honors and Awards Recipients

The following individuals have been selected in recognition of outstanding service and contributions to the nutrition and dietetics profession.

Published June 4, 2025

In recognition of outstanding service and contributions to the nutrition and dietetics profession, the following individuals have been selected by the Honors Committee and Board of Directors to receive top Academy national honors and awards.

Congratulations go to the following recipients for outstanding leadership and contributions to the profession and practice of nutrition and dietetics.

2025 Honors and Awards

Lifetime Achievement Award
Darlene Dougherty, MS, RD, FAND, LD

Distinguished Lecture Award
(Presented at FNCE® 2026)
Robert Earl, MPH, RDN, FAND

Honorary Membership
James Kirby, PharmD, BCPS, FAPhA

Medallion Awards
Keith Thomas Ayoob, EdD, RD, FAND, CDN
Mridul Datta, PhD, RD, LD, FAND
Sylvia E. Klinger, DBA, MS, RDN
Sudha Raj, PhD, RDN, FAND
Hollie Raynor, PhD, RD, LDN
Alyce M. Thomas, RD, FAND

Media Excellence Award
Vandana Sheth, RDN, CDCES, FAND

Outstanding Interprofessional Practice
Rebecca Levin, MS, RDN, LD

Outstanding Nutrition & Dietetics Technician
Vera Bartasavich, M.Ed., NDTR, MCHES©

Excellence in Practice Awards

Business and Industry
Amaris Noguera-Bradley, MPH, RDN

Clinical Nutrition
June Thompson, FNKF, MS, RDN, LDN, FAND

Education
Hope Barkoukis, PhD, RDN, LD, FAND

Entrepreneurial
Patricia Thompson, MS, RD

Informatics
Susan Evanchak, RDN, LDN

Management
Cindy Kanarek Culver, MS, RDN, LDWORK, FAND

Policy & Initiatives
Kay Mavko, MS, RDN, LD

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