WRDA Clinical Update 2017- “An Ounce of Prevention…Food for Healthy Living”
By Co-President Elects Kathleen Ryan MS, RD, CSO, CDN and Melissa Keeney MS, RDN, CDN, CDE
The Westchester Rockland Dietetic Association’s (WRDA) annual clinical update was on December 7, 2017. Around 100 nutrition professionals attended this year, including Registered Dietitian Nutritionists (RDN), Dietetic Technicians, Registered (DTR), and nutrition students. This year, the clinical update focused on disease prevention “An Ounce of Prevention…Food for Healthy Living”.
To start the event off, Niharika Jaiswal, WRDA’s President gave the opening remarks. Next, Diana Monaco, NYSAND’s Immediate Past President spoke about getting involved in the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics and the New York chapter, NYSAND. It was then time to begin the presentations. Kathleen Ryan and Melissa Keeney, WRDA’s Co-Presidents Elect provided the biographies and introductions for each speaker. A mid-morning highlight to this year’s update was a Public Policy Update by Ann Darcy.
The presentation topics and the speakers for the Clinical Update were:
Presentation: Sustainability and Culinary Nutrition Trends, Q&A
Presenter: Andrea Canada, MPH, RD from SPE Certified
Presentation: Microbiome Nutrition for the RDN
Presenter: Mary Beth Augustine, RDN, CDN, FAND of Mary Beth Augustine (MBA)
Presentation: Improving Patient Engagement Using Culinary Nutrition Tools and Programming, Q & A
Presenter: Jeanne Petrucci, MS, RDN and Julie Harrington RDN, CPC from Living Plate
Presentation: Treating Heart Disease with a Plant-Based Diet, Q & A
Presenter: Lauren Graf MS, RD from Montefiore Einstein Cardiac Wellness Program
Each speaker this year presented innovative ways that nutrition professionals can assist their clients to live healthfully. Andrea Canada discussed current food trends and how an RDN can add value and a health sustainability focus to a foodservice operation. Mary Beth Augustine discussed the microbiome, including the evidence for medical nutrition therapy and a risk characterization framework for clinical decision making. She also discussed emerging research topics regarding nutrition, healthcare, and the microbiome. Jeanne Petrucci and Julie Harrington discussed ways to engage clients with culinary nutrition, and how to grow your business by offering culinary nutrition program. They then provided us with a food demo and samples while discussing how the audience can incorporate this concept into their own practice. Lauren Graf discussed the role of plant- based diets in managing cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and chronic kidney disease. She shared some remarkable patient stories.
A huge thank you to our raffle sponsors. The WRDA raised $340 at the meeting through the raffle. Diana Monaco won the Capri Beauty gift certificate, Abby Walker won the cookbooks and Field Goods coupon, Roberta Gershner won attendance to next year’s Clinical Update, Terry Schlanger won next year’s WRDA Membership, Niharika Jaiswal won the gift certificate to Rouge Tomate, Jennifer Sukhdeo won the 2nd Century Initiative basket, and Ellen Pospishil won the PAC basket. Thank you to all those who participated in the raffle!
A big thank you to our generous product sponsors this year, including Peanut Butter & Co, Harvest Snaps, Purely Elizabeth, Biena Snacks, JCC of Rockland, Celebrate Vitamins, KIND, Manitoba Harvest, Shoprite, Once Again, and Kite Hill.
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