MAND Winter 2026 Newsletter
- jmaynard54
- Feb 25
- 11 min read
Hello MAND members, and welcome to the winter newsletter!
This winter will go down as the coldest I’ve experienced since moving to Maine. I’ve tried to embrace it with daily cold plunges in Blue Hill Bay; however, the risk of serious frostbite kept me out of the water in late January and early February.
As I enter the final quarter of my two-year presidency, it has been a busy and fulfilling time. The Board of Directors has successfully transitioned executive management functions into our core operations without disruption. I want to thank the Board and our committees for the tremendous work behind this accomplishment and for their continued commitment to delivering value to our members and supporting the MAND community.
The Conference Planning and Sponsorship Committees have been hard at work preparing the 2026 Spring Conference on April 10 at UMaine in Orono — I hope to see you there. Tammy Randall, President-Elect of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, will serve as our keynote speaker. She will highlight the Academy’s new strategic plan and profession visibility campaign — A Seat at Every Table. She will also discuss the changing nutrition policy landscape, including the new Dietary Guidelines for Americans. While Kristine Kittridge, MAND’s House of Delegate representative works hard to ensure our voice is heard at the national level, come prepared with questions.
It’s also time to begin thinking about MAND Awards and Scholarships. Do you know someone who deserves recognition? If so, please complete the nomination form by March 1st. Awards will be presented at the Spring Conference, and recipients must be members of the Maine Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics.
Our Food and Nutrition Security Committee has been developing a new resource webpage to help members strengthen their expertise in food insecurity and support improved health and well-being across Maine communities. In addition, our Membership Committee received Board approval to launch a pilot Journal Club.
Our Public Policy team has been actively advocating for the Licensure Compact, updates to state dietetic licensure, and the reintroduction of the MNT Act. They have also provided Senator Collins with real-world examples demonstrating how expanded access to medical nutrition therapy improves health outcomes for Mainers. This important legislation would broaden covered conditions beyond diabetes and renal disease, significantly expanding access to care for vulnerable populations.
Be sure to follow MAND on LinkedIn and Instagram — our Communications Committee works tirelessly to keep members informed.
As we move toward the close of our year, several Board positions will open for the 2026–2027 term. Please reach out if you have questions, comments, concerns, or interest in becoming more involved.
Lastly, March is National Nutrition Month®, and this year’s theme is Discover the Power of Nutrition — so let’s celebrate.
Laurie Copithorne, MS, MBA, RD (CDN), FDC
2025-2026 President
Follow us on LinkedIn, Facebook, and Instagram #EatRightMaine, #MaineNutrition, #MaineDietetics
Member Spotlight- Denise Gaudette- RDN
Please tell us about yourself!
I have worked in the field of food and nutrition since high school, beginning with my first job in the kitchen at Maine Medical Center. After earning an associate degree in Dietetic Technology from Southern Maine Community College and a bachelor’s degree in Health Science from the University of Southern Maine, I held a variety of roles, including positions with the WIC Program, as a dietetic technician in a hospital, a food service director, and a research assistant. Through these experiences, I realized that the roles I was most passionate about all required becoming a registered dietitian. This led me to the University of Maine, where I earned my bachelor’s degree in Human Nutrition and Dietetics. I have been a registered dietitian since 2014 and have worked at Good Shepherd Food Bank focusing on community nutrition for the past 10 years. I am also involved with the Maine Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics as the President-Elect, and also on the Food and Nutrition Security Committee. We are excited about the launch of a nutrition security resource hub on the MAND website
Why did you choose to practice in Maine?
I was born and raised in Maine and am now raising my own children here. I enjoy all the seasons, lakes, oceans and mountains of Maine. While I enjoy traveling and experiencing new places, Maine’s communities and way of life continue to shape both my personal values and my professional commitment. Maine will always be my home.
What professional values or philosophies are most important to you?
When it comes to food and nutrition, I recognize that everyone is at a different point in their journey. I approach nutrition education with compassion and an understanding that food choices are influenced by many factors, including access, culture, time, and available resources. My goal is to ensure individuals and families understand the basics of making healthy choices so they can make informed decisions that are realistic, meaningful, and aligned with their own needs and circumstances.
What are some of the favorite things about your current job(s)?
Every day brings something new. I have the opportunity to collaborate with community partners and participants through cooking and nutrition classes, as well as offer virtual trainings. I’ve learned so much from the individuals I’ve worked with and have built meaningful personal and professional connections across the state. I have enjoyed partnering with local libraries to provide basic nutrition education for infants and young children, cooking alongside seniors and veterans, and learning from their experiences. I’ve also had the chance to work with afterschool programs, classroom teachers, and summer programs to support nutrition education in a variety of settings.
What are your favorite hobbies or pastimes when you’re not working?
I enjoy gardening whenever I can. We grow some vegetables every year, but I especially love growing flowers and putting together bouquets. We spend a lot of time at the lake where I grew up, and in between that we make time to bike, hike, ski, ice skate, and enjoy being outdoors as much as possible.
What is your favorite food?
Potatoes are so colorful and versatile; they can be baked, boiled, mashed, roasted, in a stew or soup, and of course fried!
What is one piece of advice you would want to share with new dietitians, dietetic interns, or nutrition students?
No matter what area of nutrition you work in, don’t be afraid to ask questions and make connections. You’ll keep learning along the way through additional education, lived experience, reading, and networking. The more you put into your work and your growth, the more you’ll get out of it.
Moving MAND Forward- Annual Conference
Date: April 10, 2026
Location: Wells Conference Center, University of Maine (Orono)
The 2026 Maine Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics Annual Conference, Moving MAND Forward, will feature a dynamic and diverse group of speakers addressing some of the most relevant topics in nutrition practice today.
Attendees can expect:
• An interactive culinary session exploring global flavors and culturally meaningful nutrition
• A clinically focused overview of pediatric parenteral nutrition management
• A statewide panel discussion on food security and cross-sector collaboration
• Engagement with national leadership within the Academy
This conference is designed to strengthen clinical skills, expand cultural competence, and support leadership development across practice settings. Check out the agenda on our website for speaker and topic details!
Click here to Register.
We look forward to moving the profession forward — together.
6 CPEUs pending. Conference Registration Pricing:
Members $90, Non-members $150, Students $50, Board Members $75.
Hotel block: Hotel Ursa (on UMaine campus): Click here for more information
Book by 3/9/26!
Stay tuned for more info about our social event,
which will take place the evening before the conference
2026 Legislative Event
What better way to celebrate National Registered Dietitian Nutritionist (RDN) Day than by advocating for nutrition policy? Join us at the State House on March 11, 2026, 12:00 -1:00 PM to have your voice heard on policies that directly influence our profession and impact our community. This year we will be focusing on the significance of Medical Nutrition Therapy (MNT) expansion, the Dietitian Licensure Compact, and nutrition security in supporting wellbeing and disease prevention. Members who RSVP will also receive a zoom link for March 9th, 6:00- 7:00 PM to review key talking points to use when networking with legislators. This event offers a meaningful and unique opportunity. You will be supporting both the public and the dietetics profession by sharing your expertise and shaping policy decisions. Light snacks and beverages will be provided.
Interested in attending? Complete this RSVP form.
Know of a legislator who has continually supported health equity and impactful nutrition policy? Nominate them for our 2026 Nutrition Public Policy Leadership Award.
Medical Nutrition Therapy Expansion Efforts
Medical Nutrition Therapy (MNT) is a cost-effective and evidence-based approach for disease prevention, management and treatment. Furthermore, it is a vital and effective treatment of multiple disease states, including obesity, diabetes, hypertension, dyslipidemia, HIV infection, unintended weight loss in older adults and other chronic conditions. Despite this, those who are most vulnerable to experiencing multiple disease diagnoses are unable to access MNT due to healthcare barriers. The MNT Act directly addresses this issue by amending the Social Security Act to provide Medicare Part B coverage of outpatient MNT for:
· Prediabetes
· Obesity
· High blood pressure
· High cholesterol
· Malnutrition
· Eating disorders
· Cancer
· Gastrointestinal disease including celiac disease
· Cardiovascular disease
· HIV/AIDS, and
· Any other disease or condition causing unintentional weight loss.
Additionally, the MNT Act would grant the Secretary of Health to include other diseases based on medical necessity. This policy authorizes nurse practitioners, physician assistants, clinical nurse specialists and psychologists to refer their patients for MNT. As you can imagine, this would greatly improve the number of patients that RDNs are able to see.
The Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics’ Policy Initiatives and Advocacy (PIA) team collaborated with MAND in December, requesting input from Maine RDNs on the benefit of MNT expansion. We were truly amazed by the number of testimonies submitted by RDNs from across the state; all of which were provided to Senator Susan Collin’s team in early December. It is anticipated that Senator Susan Collins will reintroduce the bill in the senate in early 2026. Updates regarding the MNT Act will be distributed through MAND’s bimonthly email updates.
Dietitian Licensure Compact
The Dietitian Licensure Compact is a legally binding agreement among states that provides a pathway to practice through which dietitians can obtain compact privileges. These compact privileges authorize RDNs to practice in other member states without obtaining an additional state license. Each state must enact the compact model legislation via a state’s legislative process to join. Additionally, seven states must sign on to the compact prior to initiation. In recent years, a total of 15 states has joined the compact, with several more pending the legislation. Our policy and advocacy team has continually worked to have Maine be eligible for compact privileges. Last year, the compact bill did not advance out of committee during a work session, likely due to concerns about the perceived administrative burden on the Dietetic Licensure Board as one of the initial compact states. This year, we are feeling optimistic due to the change in circumstances of no longer being one of the initial, governing compact states. Potential sponsors have been identified and we aim to reintroduce compact language in either this legislative session or next. In this process, we will continually be working with the Department of War, the Academy’s PIA team, and the Council of State Government for best strategies for moving forward.
Interested in advocating for the compact? Connect with our public policy panel at mandandppc@gmail.com.
MAND Delegate Report
The House of Delegates has been busy discussing important issues facing the field of dietetics! If you ever have an issue you think the delegates should discuss, submit a topic via our professional trend form (LINK: Professional Trends). This is what informs the work that we do!
In December, the House of Delegates discussed how changing science may impact our profession. We received a presentation from the Council on Future Practice on the subject, and I’ve included a backgrounder document here for you to review.
At the February meeting, the delegates were briefed on the topic of health care disruption; specifically, considering four different models that are becoming widely available for alternatives to the traditional health care model. These include concierge medicine, lifestyle medicine shared appointments, telehealth/telemedicine, e-commerce and retail-based medicine. We discussed how this healthcare model may bring both opportunities but also threats to our profession. Attached below is a resource providing more in-depth information on these models- I encourage you to review it!
Please feel free to reach out to me with any questions at maineANDdelegate@gmail.com. If you’d ever be interested in being a proxy for one of the meetings for me in case I can’t attend, please also let me know!
Food and Nutrition Security Committee Launches New Resources Hub on MAND Website
Have you noticed the new Nutrition Security tab on the MAND website home page? This public-facing section of the website houses the Maine Food & Nutrition Security “hub,” a collection of links to a wide variety of programs and resources to assist both MAND members and Maine citizens in locating and accessing food assistance in our state.
“Creating a ‘one stop shop’ for links to state and local food security resources was one of the top requests when we polled the MAND membership last year,” explains Food and Nutrition Security Committee member Sue Sullivan. Not only can MAND members utilize the hub as a quick way to get the links and information they need, but they can point consumers to it as well.
The resources are divided into eight sections within the hub, making for a streamlined and organized interface:
● Food & Financial Assistance Programs
● Food Access & Local Food Systems
● Food Pantries & Emergency Food
● General Resource Directories
● Meals & Nutrition Programs
● Nutrition Education & Skill Building
● Senior Nutrition Programs
● Advocacy
The links will be reviewed regularly by Committee members to keep them current, and more resources will be added over time. “The need for food assistance has recently increased, and we know MAND members want to help. This is an easy way to locate and utilize pertinent food security resources,” adds Sullivan.
Do you have an idea for a link or resource for the “hub”? Please let us know! Fill in this short form by clicking here or email us at eatrightmaine@gmail.com.
MAND 2026-2027 Volunteer Leadership Opportunities
We are looking for leaders for the upcoming membership year, June 1, 2026 - May 31, 2027. Positions that are part of the voting Board of directions are subject to membership approval by vote. Please email our Nominating Committee Chair or Executive Director if you have questions about these positions at MaineANDNominatingAwards@gmail.com or eatrightmaine@gmail.com.
Current Opportunities Include:
President-Elect
Delegate-Elect
Communications Chair
Nutrition Services Payment Specialist
Nominations & Awards Committee Chair
Nominations & Awards Committee Member
Dietetic Technician Representative
This is a fantastic opportunity to collaborate, lead, and shape the future of nutrition in Maine. If you’re looking to contribute your skills and passion, please fill out the form.
What's New- The Academy
Nutrition Focused Physical Exam on-Demand Trainings
Earn 10.0 CPEUs and build your knowledge to perform a head‑to‑toe NFPE exam. This engaging, interactive course includes seven self-paced modules that provide a general overview of malnutrition and NFPE, analysis of specific areas of assessment and case studies to apply your learning.
Sports Nutrition Care Manual®
This online resource includes information on a variety of sports-related topics, including vegetarian athletes, youth athletes, collegiate athletes, weight management (both weight gain and loss) for athletes, and nutrition rehabilitation for injury or surgery.
Applications Due March 2nd- Academy Spokesperson
Since its inception in 1982, the Academy's Spokesperson Program has been instrumental in bringing the Academy's messages of healthful eating and nutrition to millions of Americans each year via every form of news media. The program is seeking new members for the period of June 1, 2026 to May 31, 2027. Experts in the following specialty areas are encouraged to apply: pediatric/youth nutrition; healthy aging; mental health nutrition; supplements; school meals; and sports nutrition. Learn more.
Fructose Malabsorption: Mechanisms, Diagnosis and Nutrition Management
Fructose malabsorption is a common cause of gastrointestinal symptoms that often overlaps with IBS. Taking place on Thursday, February 26 at noon (Central time), this live webinar reviews underlying mechanisms, symptom patterns, and diagnostic approaches, while distinguishing it from hereditary fructose intolerance. Attendees will learn practical, evidence-based nutrition strategies for individualized assessment, management and food reintroduction. Learn more.
On-Demand Session- The Hormone Story- A Dietitian's Role in Optimizing Reproductive Health
This session provides an in-depth look at the physiological intricacies of the hypothalamic-pituitary axis, thyroid function, reproductive hormones, and relevant laboratory tests. Topics include menstrual cyclicity, optimizing nutritional status, and mitigating environmental exposure load. Participants will engage in captivating learning activities and leave with practical strategies to enhance reproductive health for your clients. Learn more.
On-Demand Session- Emotional Intelligence: A Key to Lifelong Career Success
Through an inspiring review by two Academy members on the importance of learning and applying the concepts of the critical leadership trait of emotional intelligence, participants will gain new ideas for application in their own personal and professional relationships. Learn more.
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