Letter from our President
This has been an incredible fall with warm temperatures and beautiful foliage; a great opportunity to enjoy the Maine outdoors. While summer may have faded, our 'MAND Summer Fun' photo contest was a definite highlight for us. The entries were great, featuring everything from Maine treats to fantastic destinations like Pine Point Beach and Mount Battie. A contest winner was chosen and will be receiving a free registration to our annual conference! Thank you to all who participated. Speaking of the conference- the MAND conference committee has been hard at work planning our annual spring conference. Look for a “Save the Date” soon and plan to join us for a host of informative speakers and sessions. In other exciting news, Mary Emerson, MAND Public Policy Panel member and school nutrition director for the Westbrook School District, was featured in the Food and Dining section of the Maine Sunday Telegram in October, where she discussed the No Kid Hungry grant she was awarded. Her efforts to provide nutritious, delicious, and culturally-diverse meals in her school district are inspiring! Finally, join fellow MAND members in reading our latest book club feature “Garlic and Sapphires: The Secret Life of a Critic in Disguise” by Ruth Reichl. More information about the book and our next book club meeting is included in this newsletter. I plan on attending the next book club meeting– I hope to see you there! Until then, have a great fall!
Mona Therrien DCN, RD, LD
2021-2022 President
Maine Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics
Member spotlight– Sarah gilbert
Tell us about yourself!
My name is Sarah Gilbert and I've been an RD for just over 5 years. I'm originally from northern Virginia but have lived/worked in North and South Carolina before coming to Maine in 2019. I'm currently a renal dietitian covering 2 dialysis units in Biddeford and Bath, but have held other roles in the clinical setting and will be starting a role as an adjunct faculty with UNE soon. I completed my BS at Radford University in 2015 followed by my internship in South Carolina in 2016. I also completed my Master's online with Arizona State University. I live in southern Maine with my 3 year old daughter and a 13 year dachshund mixed dog.
What are some of the favorite things about your current job(s)?
One of my favorite things about my current job as a renal dietitian is building a relationship with the patients. Whether they are on dialysis for a few months or years, you see them all the time and really get to know them. This relationship is so helpful as I can tailor the education to fit their individual needs. I also love being a part of a strong interdisciplinary team; the RD plays an important role with the RN, social worker, and MD and helps with not just dietary education but with bone mineral management (adjusting vitamin D, phosphorus binders, etc.), among other things. It truly is a team effort to provide the best care for the patient.
Why did you choose to practice in Maine?
After living in the south for so long, I missed having 4 seasons, even the snow. I came to Maine not just for the weather, but the abundance of different opportunities for me and my daughter.
What are your favorite hobbies or pastimes when you’re not working?
Some of my hobbies include going to the beach, walking and exploring the area with my daughter and dog, shopping, and cooking.
What is your favorite food?
Pizza! Any and all kinds!
Do you have any advice for new dietitians, dietetic interns, or students?
My advice would be to give every area of work a shot; you never know what you truly have a passion for until you try it. I didn't think I would like being a renal dietitian but I gave it a shot and I truly love working with this group of patients.
MAND Updates
News from the Membership Committee
We are working on another membership survey that is expected to go out in the next month in an e-mail to all members- stay tuned for more information. It helps us to know what are members need and want!
Volunteer Leadership Opportunities - Nominating & Awards Committee
The Nominating & Awards Committee wants to remind our members that we always welcome and encourage anyone who has interest in volunteering with MAND to consider joining the MAND board. Check out position descriptions and more information about the board year on our website (https://www.eatrightmaine.org/copy-of-members-1). Elections occur in the spring each year but we accept applications all year! We also have our MAND committees, including the Public Policy Committee, Conference Committee, and Membership Committees who always welcome new volunteers to share their ideas and experience in these areas. Be on the lookout early 2022 for more information about our annual awards and how to nominate a worthy colleague. Any questions about board nominations and awards are welcome at maineandnominatingawards@gmail.com.
Conference Planning Committee update
MAND's conference planning committee is working on planning for our annual spring meeting by gathering speaker applications. The conference will be held in person April 8th, 2022 at the Hilton Garden Inn in Freeport, Maine, with the possibility of being virtual as we keep an eye on the ongoing pandemic. Click here for more information.
Email: maineANDmembership@gmail.com
News from the Communications Committee
MAND has a variety of ways that we communicate with members including the Maine Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics website, our quarterly newsletters, facebook posts, twice monthly email blasts, and occasional special emails for topics that just can’t wait.
Do you have any nutrition news to share? As nutrition professionals we are interested in finding out what our colleagues are up to around the state. Take a minute to send us your nutrition news by filling in this short form: Seeking input: Nutrition news to share in Maine We would love to hear from you! The members only page of the website password is: strategy
News to share from our members
The University of Maine School of Food and Agriculture in partnership with UMaine Cooperative Extension, Maine Farm to School Network, Maine Agriculture in the Classroom, and ReTreeUS will be hosting the first Maine Farm to School Institute this Summer, August 2022. We will be inviting 6 middle/high school teams in Maine to attend a 3-day workshop at the Ecology School where they will learn and develop an action plan to grow their farm to school activities with the goal of improving nutritional health, knowledge of agriculture, and to build partnerships with rural producers; holistically addressing school food security. This work is supported by the Food and Agriculture Service Learning Program [grant no. 2021-70026-35911] from the USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture.
For more information contact: jade.mcnamara@maine.edu
HOD Update
What’s New: the Academy
Free November 9 Webinar: ‘Fatphobia and Weight Bias in Dietetics’
While health care professionals have been known to exhibit weight bias and fatphobia, research shows that dietetics students and practicing RDNs also show moderate levels of fatphobia and explicit weight bias. The Indians in Nutrition and Dietetics member interest group offers a free, November 9 webinar titled “Fatphobia and Weight Bias in Dietetics: Finding Balance.” Evidence-based recommendations for reducing weight bias in the profession will be provided, as well as guidelines for how to modify how future RDNs are taught about obesity to decrease weight bias. Learn More
New: Policy and Advocacy Certificate of Training
No one is more passionate about nutrition than Academy members, but advocating for change can be challenging. That’s why the Academy has developed the all-new Policy and Advocacy Certificate of Training. Offering 8 CPEUs, the certificate features four modules designed to enhance your advocacy skill set and provide you with the ability to start advocating for change. Learn More
Seeking Applicants: Student Member of the Board of Directors
The Foundation is seeking applicants for the position of student member of the Foundation’s Board of Directors. This two-year volunteer position is an excellent opportunity to gain leadership experience and skills in donor relations, fundraising, awarding grants and financial oversight. Learn More
The Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics Foundation- worth knowing about!
· The Foundation’s Mission: Through philanthropy, empower current and future food and nutrition practitioners to optimize global health.
· The Foundation’s Vision: A world where all people thrive through the transformative power of food and nutrition.
The Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics Foundation is the only charitable organization devoted exclusively to supporting nutrition and dietetics professionals by empowering them to help consumers live healthier lifestyles. The Foundation serves as the philanthropic arm of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics and does not receive any portion of member dues, relying solely on donations to thrive. The success and impact of our programs and services are directly attributed to the generous support of our donors. Click here for more information.
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