Letter from our President
As the daffodils bloom and the tulips show their colors, I’m thankful to live in a State like Maine. It’s open spaces and rural locations have made social distancing an easier task than in more populated States. I hope our MAND membership is enjoying the abundance of new life this spring and staying safe and healthy during these unsettling times.
Recently, I “Zoomed” a 2020 MAND Board Update, sharing the highlights and accomplishments of the past year. It was fulfilling to take a look back at the year and see all that the board has achieved.
A few highlights:
Transitioned a face-to-face conference into a virtual series within a matter of weeks;
Reevaluated our Legislative outreach, launching the Legislative Luncheon, with a new venue and time, to reach legislators more effectively;
Provided 2 free CEUs that helped members meet Academy requirements;
Supported two future dietetic professionals in their educational pursuits with the Future Dietetic Professional Scholarship;
Supported the Good Shepard Food Bank with a monetary donation.
Read on to find conference details, election results and don’t miss our recognition of the 2020 Affiliate Awardees and Scholarship recipients. Congratulations to all of the deserving awardees!
I’d like to close out this message with a heartfelt thank you to the 2020 MAND Board. Thank you for all the time and effort you put in to forwarding the dietetic profession in Maine. It’s been such a fun and rewarding experience working with all of you! While I wish we could close out the 2020 Board year in person, I’m glad that we are all safely distancing and staying connected virtually.
In good health,
Heather Healy, RDN
2019-2020 President
Maine Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics
RD Spotlight– Kristine Kittridge, MS, RD, LD
Tell us about yourself!
I live in Lewiston but grew up in Orono (where I attended pre-K through grad school!) and I work at Maine Medical Center as an inpatient clinical dietitian. I enjoy volunteering; outside of MAND, I also serve on the board of YWCA Central Maine here in Lewiston, as well as on the Lewiston Planning Board. When not working or volunteering, I like trying new recipes, supporting local restaurants and breweries, and spending time with friends and family at our family camp on Alamoosook lake in Orland, ME.
What are some of the favorite things about your current job(s)?
I really love working with complex inpatient medical situations, so working at Maine Medical Center I always have new opportunities to challenge myself and grow as a practitioner. The team supports our ongoing education as a department into what the newest research and professional recommendations suggest guiding our practice, and I enjoy that there is the opportunity to do research to improve standards and practices in our field.
Why did you choose to practice in Maine?
For me, it was an easy decision because I grew up here and I'm close with my family. I also really enjoy all that Maine has to offer in terms of the environment (beaches, mountains, lots of green space, seasons).
What are your favorite hobbies or pastimes when you’re not working?
I like cooking and baking, making homemade mead (and beer sometimes), wine tasting, reading, listening to podcasts/audiobooks, and watching reality television and documentaries.
What is your favorite food?
Probably pizza. It's a perfect combination of bread and cheese, and the versatility means it's never boring. If I had to pick a specific kind, I'd say Greek pizza because I've loved olives since I was little.
Do you have any advice you’d like to share with new dietitians, dietetic interns or students?
It's okay if you're not sure exactly what area you'd like to practice in. When I graduated, I was still interested in a lot of different areas of the field of dietetics, and spent the first 3-4 years trying different jobs to get a feel for what was the right fit for me (I"m really lucky that things kind of fell into place in terms of opportunities and where I lived). When I started my internship I proudly proclaimed I would never be an inpatient RD, and then after trying inpatient, outpatient, health coaching, and community/public health, I was able to confidently say that inpatient clinical work is what I'm most passionate about. Also, getting involved with MAND and the AND early on into your career, or while you are a student, is a great way to open doors and have opportunities for networking and learning from RDs from a variety of backgrounds.
Maine Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics
Spring 2020 Webinar Series
Registration Open Now! Nutrition Profession Power-up!
Five exciting and dynamic topics planned for our spring conference will now be available via webinar!
You can choose just one session or the series at a discounted rate.
All sessions run for one hour starting at 12pm noon.
Tuesday May 26, 2020: From Illness to Wellness: Career Change and Finding What You Love to Do.
Lisa Andrews MEd, RD, LD
Friday June 5, 2020: Cannabis: Weeding Fact from Fiction
Janice Newell Bissex MS, RDN, FAND
Thursday June 11, 2020: Microbiome Based Strategies for Managing GI Conditions
Patsy Catsos MS, RDN, LD
Tuesday June 16, 2020: Plant Power! An Educational and Culinary Dive into Plant-Based Eating
Lisa Pitts RDN, Stephanie Health
Tuesday June 23, 2020: The Diet Climate Connection
Joanne Burke PhD, RD, LD
Thank you to our Platinum Sponsor
Food Science and Human Nutrition Program
Student corner: COVID-19 sparks unity
On Wednesday, March 11th 2020, the U-Maine community received an email with news that no one wanted to hear- all students would need to pack up their belongings to return home to finish the semester online. This news came with emotion and uncertainty that neither professors nor students had experienced before. As a college community, we were faced with the challenge of abruptly transitioning to online learning; despite this challenge, I feel the University handled this dreadful situation with the utmost integrity.
As a senior nutrition student, I know for myself and fellow classmates that losing our last semester at U-Maine caused an abundance of heartache; we were looking forward to the grass becoming green on the mall and the flowers beginning to bloom while we soaked up our last days at the place we’ve called home for the past four years. Despite this upsetting news, the dedicated faculty at U-Maine, specifically in the nutrition department, made this transition seamless. As we said our goodbyes on our last days of class, it made me realize the degree of passion and commitment that our nutrition professors have for us students and our education. As a student, I felt fully supported in this transition to online learning; my professors made it clear that they would be easily accessible if we needed any extra help or had any questions. One professor in particular even offered financial assistance to those of us who were worried about affording food or other necessities. I think it’s incredible the way that our University so quickly came together and continues to stand united through these trying times.
As I think back to this semester and the lessons that I will bring with me after I graduate, I think the biggest one that comes to mind is the value of helping others. I believe that in our field of nutrition, whether a student as myself or a well-versed professional, the theme remains: our end goal is to help others. This situation is an important reminder of the reason I have chosen this field of study. Although COVID-19 took away valuable experiences such as teaching in the community through our capstone project, it allowed us to recognize our why and strengthen our resilience, which I know will lead us to becoming stronger professionals in the field of nutrition.
Maegan Perrault
Senior undergraduate
2019-2020 MAND Student Representative
Welcome to the 2020-2021 New Board Members
President-Elect: Mona Therrien, DCN, RDN, LD
Communications Chair: Eileen Molloy, MS, RDN, LD, CDE
NDTR Representative: Christina Watts, DTR
We are still looking for volunteers for Treasurer Elect and Nominating and Awards Committee Member. Both are three year terms. Please email eatrightmaine@gmail.com if you are interested in volunteering.
2020-2021 Board of Directors
President: Kristine Kittridge
President-Elect: Mona Therrien
Secretary: Susan Sullivan
Treasurer: Kristine Taylor
Delegate: Rachel Hall
Communications Chair: Eileen Molloy
Public Policy Coordinator: Ria Saunders
Nominating and Awards Chair: Tara Gould
DTR Representative: Christina Watts
Congratulations Scholarship and Award Winners!
Congratulations to our Future Dietetics Professional Scholarship winners! Each student receives $500 to be applied to the Fall 2020 semester: Graduate Student: Maegan Perrault Undergraduate Student: Kaylee Porter Congratulations to our MAND Affiliate Award winners! Winners are recognized in the Journal of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics and receives a congratulatory letter and certificate signed by the president of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics: Outstanding Dietetics Student Award – Maegan Perrault Outstanding Dietitian of the Year – Mona Therrien Emerging Dietetic Leader – Chelsea Champagne (Yates) Recognized Young Dietitian of the Year – Tara Gould Recognized Dietetic Technician of the Year – Jeanne Riley
Congratulations to Patsy Catsos - National Award Winner
Congratulations to long-time MAND Member Patsy Catsos on being deservedly recognized by her colleagues and the Academy Honors Committee for the Academy’s Excellence in Practice in Clinical Dietetics Award. Her forward thinking research in IBS has been instrumental in helping the people we serve in the management of GI conditions and more.
Patsy is a speaker in our MAND Webinar Series, don't miss her session on Strategies for Maintaining GI Conditions on Thursday June 11th from 12:00-1:00pm. She is an inspiration to us all!
“Receiving this recognition for my work is a once-in-a-lifetime thrill! I am so grateful the role my MAND board work played in my career. Working toward common goals with such inspirational and hard-working MAND colleagues helped me mature into a more confident writer and public speaker so that I could effectively share my FODMAP and IBS work with others. Dear MAND friends and colleagues, please accept my sincere thanks for all you have taught me, for your encouragement, and for supporting my nomination for this award."
- Patsy Catsos
Webinar Recording Available
Did you miss our webinar "Your Academy in Action During Challenging Times"? We have the recording available for 1 CEU on our website!
Click here to access our webinar recordings, and use the password strategy to access!
What’s new: the Academy
Did You Know? Educational Opportunities
The Academy offers an array of resources to cultivate your skills through multidisciplinary learning opportunities and enhanced technology. Select from a variety of free and member-priced resources to best fit your professional development needs. Learn More
Academy Updates on COVID-19
The Academy is providing members with valuable resources and information during the COVID-19 pandemic. Visit this page for updates from the Academy.
Free COVID-19 Resources from Nutrition Care Manual®
To aid in providing care to clients and patients with COVID-19, Academy members have free access to the new 2020 Nutrition Care Manual® critical illness and disaster preparedness sections. Access them through the online Coronavirus Professional Resource Hub. Learn More
From the CDC: What School Nutrition Professionals and Volunteers at Schools Need to Know about COVID-19
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has released a COVID-19 resource for school nutrition professionals. This webpage includes: tips for how school nutrition professionals can protect themselves and slow the spread of COVID-19; steps employers should take to protect their employees; and additional COVID-19 resources.
New: Chronic Kidney Disease Nutrition Management Certificate of Training
Gain proficiency in chronic kidney disease with a new online program. Case studies within detailed modules will guide you through scenarios practitioners are likely to encounter with patients and clients. Learn More
Examination Study Resources
The Study Guides for the Registration Examination for Dietitians (10th ed., catalog #062517) and for Dietetic Technicians (7th ed., catalog #063017) are now available. Each guide includes a comprehensive outline based on the examination content specifications implemented January 1, 2017; suggested references and tips; print copies of the practice examinations; and two single-use vouchers to use when accessing the online exams. The cost of each study guide is $60. Learn More
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