VDA Award Recipients
At VDA’s recent Awards Reception held in conjunction with VDA's 2011 Annual Meeting in April in Fairfax, the following members were recognized for their outstanding achievements in dietetics and extraordinary contributions to our profession and Association.
Lynda Fanning, MA, MPH, RD - Distinguished Dietitian of the Year
While this year's recipient of VDA's highest honor is from the Blue Ridge District, she has impacted the application of cutting edge dietetics practice throughout our Commonwealth. Just recently retired as the Clinical Nutrition Manager of Nutrition Services at UVA Health Systems in Charlottesville, Lynda Fanning is a passionate and capable leader who inspired and motivted her 42 RDs, management staff and interns to go above and beyond their own perceived potentials to deliver quality nutrition care. In this position, her achievements were many relating to patient care, program development and education. In addition, Lynda took ownership of the purchase and distributuion of enteral products in her institution, recouping $300,000.00 in lost revenue and implemented traineeships, international webinars and Weekend Warrior courses to raise the standard of dietitians' nutrition support practice. Lynda was the recipient of Morrison Managment Specialists' Regional Clinical Nutrition Manager's Award twice.
On the volunteer side, Lynda has likewise served VDA as a visionary leader in many capacities. As Member Services Division Coordinator she energized our minority mentoring initiative in which one of her students subsequently became a District President. During her term as President of VDA, Lynda worked collaboratively with the policy and advocacy team to frame our legislative agenda, implement the Leadership through Legislation Workshop and strenghten our grassroots efforts with the development of a guide and fact sheets to help members become comfortable in this arena. All are still used today. Her presidency was also dedicated to improving the health of Virginians by introducing and promoting sustainable food systems in which she shared her enthusiasm statewide with members. This began a ground swell in our Association and landed Lynda a charter position with the Virginia Food System Council where she serves on their Executive Committee.
In her "retirement", Lynda remains active with the Charlottesville Central Market, UVA Food Collaborative and Charlottesville Obesity Task Force. In her spare time, she is attending the Charlottesville Neighborhood Leadership Institute in which she will graduate in June.
Congratulations, Lynda, on being selected as VDA's Distinguished Dietitian of the Year 2011! We salute your career accomplishments, volunteer spirit and service to dietetics and dietitians in Virginia.
Angie Hasemann, RD - Recognized Young Dietitian of the Year
From the Blue Ridge District, Angie is currently an outpatient dietitian at the University of Virginia Health System's Children's Fitness Clinic in Charlottesville. She has also served as an instructor for an introductory nutrition course at UVA's Curry School of Education. Angie received her Bachelor's Degree from Kansas State University and completed her dietetic internship in Augusta, GA. Angie is finishing her term as President of the Blue Ridge District Dietetic Association this month and also serves as VDA's representative to the Let's Move Cities and Towns initiative in Virginia. Starting June 1, she will take the Asst. Team Leader position for Member Services on the VDA Board at the state level and serves as the Recruitment and Retention Chair for ADA's Weight Management Dietetics Practic Group nationally. For her outstanding work and expertise in the field, Angie has been honored as a Clinical Ambassador for Pediatric Obesity by Morrison Management Specialists. She is incredibly committed to community outreach and health promotions for pediatric patients - her resume boasts many community endeavors and media exposures. A colleague elogquently has this to say about Angie - This is the first time in my 32 year nutrition career that I've seen such a commitment to service, excellence and innovation in a young practitioner.
Shari Goldsmith, MS, RD - Emerging Dietetic Leader
From Northern District, Shari is currently an Assistant Professor at Northern Virginia Community College. She received her Bachelor's Degree in Human Nutrition and Food from Cornell University then went on to complete her Master's Degree in Health Education at Russell Sage College in Albany, New York. In addition to her teaching experience, Shari has practiced in clinical, renal and consulting settings. She is currently serving as the President of Northern District Virginia Dietetic Association and was on the Planning Committee for VDA's Annual Meeting this spring. Those who work with Shari at the local level know her as a "take charge" kind of person. She has served her local and state dietetic associations at many levels and is currently cyber-mentoring a student at Cornell University. Clearly, Shari is committed to the education and success of students, and this is quite evident to those whom she instructs. One of her students remarked that I have rarely had the privilege of studying under an instructor as enthusiastic and inspiring as Shari Goldsmith. She conveyed her passion for dietetics in such a way that was educational, enlightening, and memorable.
50 Year ADA Members in Virginia
Barbara Morlang - Hollins, VA
Mary Walker - Alexandria, VA
Joanne Weisskopf - Springfield, VA
Professional Development Award Recipient: Crista Galvin-Cox (RDA)
Graduate Scholarship Award Recipient: Meghan Ames (Johns Hopkins University)
Margaret MacDonald Scholarship: Rachel Cornett (Virginia Tech)
ADA Outstanding Student Award: Jordan Bergloff (Virginia Tech)