Each February, the Bluegrass Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics holds their annual awards program. The awards presented recognize excellence in dietetics – from students to educators to those engaged across the profession. This year, four awards recognized individuals with close ties to the School of Human Environmental Sciences.
Senior dietetics student Taylor Satterly received recognition as the Outstanding Student in a Dietetics Program. Taylor is currently completing requirements for her undergraduate degree and plans to pursue a master’s degree in dietetics and a dietetic internship. Her career goal is to work as a clinical dietitian, perhaps with either renal or diabetes patients. When she is not busy with schoolwork and dietetics-related volunteer activities, she enjoys volunteering for her hometown’s humane society, spending time with family, and hanging out with friends.
Liz Combs, MS, RD, Lecturer in the Department of Dietetics and Human Nutrition, was recognized as the Outstanding Dietetics Educator of the Year. Professor Combs is Director of the Coordinated Program in Dietetics and teaches introductory nutrition, lifecycle nutrition, advanced medical nutrition therapy, and courses for the dietetics supervised professional practice/internship. She joined the department in the fall of 2011 as academic coordinator and transitioned to her current position as lecturer in the fall of 2013. Combs was nominated by Emily Rogers, a junior in the coordinated program.
Yolanda Jackson, MS, RD, alumnus of the Department of Dietetics and Human Nutrition, was announced as recipient of the Young Dietitian of the Year Award. Currently, Yolanda is a clinical dietitian with Morrison Management Specialists. She completed her Master of Science in Hospitality and Dietetics Administration in 2012. Her thesis research examined a cross-cultural comparison of perceptions about school feeding programs from Ghanaian and U.S. adults.
Lauren Brinkman Roberson, RD, recent graduate and current master’s student in the Department of Dietetics and Human Nutrition, received the Excellence in a Dietetics Internship award. In 2013, Lauren completed her community rotation at the Bath County Extension Office, and medical nutrition therapy and food service rotations at Harrison Memorial Hospital. Lauren worked part-time at Harrison Memorial Hospital as a clinical dietitian and part-time dietary aide. As a current master’s student, she is working as a teaching assistant in the Department of Dietetics and Human Nutrition. She is scheduled to defend her thesis April 21, 2014 and will graduate with a Master of Science in Dietetics Administration in May 2014. Her career goal is to work as a dietary manager or in community nutrition education.
Congratulations to these outstanding dietetics students and professionals!
Posted 3/18/14