On Feb. 1, voting begins for the 2012 Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics (formerly the American Dietetic Association) elections.  I am honored to have been nominated for House of Delegates Director and ask for your support.

Serving as Maine's HOD Delegate from 2006 to 2009 confirmed what I have known since I first joined ADA as a student - ours is a strong organization with incredibly talented members.  In the many volunteer positions I have held at both the state and national levels, my goal has always been to help our strength and talent benefit the people we serve, our health-profession colleagues, and policy-makers in government.

Our energy and expertise are needed now more than ever, for two reasons.  First, the epidemics of obesity and diabetes, combined with an aging population, rising health-care costs and strained budgets require a renewed focus on wellness and disease prevention that is the hallmark of our profession.  Second, as the public and policy-makers are increasingly besieged by false claims and erroneous information from ill-trained competitors, it is essential that all Academy members join together to promote our science-based approach.

My 26-year career as a Registered Dietitian and Certified Diabetes Educator has given me experience in both of these areas.  From working with the Native American tribes in Maine, the parents and children of Head Start, and my diabetes and nutrition clients at the PenBay Diabetes and Nutrition Care Center, I have seen the real improvements we bring to peoples' lives.  As a member of the ADA Legislative Public Policy Committee and as State Policy Representative for the Maine Dietetic Association, I have met with national and state legislators of both parties, as well as top agency officials.  Without exception, they value the knowledge and insight our profession provides.  Further, as MDA's Communications Coordinator/Media Representative, I have developed effective strategies to get our message out through our newsletters, web site, email alerts and, now, Facebook.

At MDA, we make a special effort to get all members involved - RDs, DTRs and dietetic students.  This initiative enlarges the talent pool we can draw from and promotes the development of future leaders.  And it helps ensure that our informed voices are heard - in the recent petition campaign asking the President to urge the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services to reconsider its decision excluding dietitians as billable providers for intensive behavioral therapy for obesity, MDA led the nation in the percentage of members participating.  This demonstrates that outreach to all members pays dividends, and it is an effort I will vigorously promote nationwide as an HOD Director.

Please visit the Academy's election website  www.eatright.org/elections to learn more.  Voting runs from Feb. 1 through March 3, and I encourage you to help choose our organization's leaders. As you do, please support Marcia Kyle, RD, LD, CDE for House of Delegates Director.  Thank you.