VDA Award Recipients
At VDA’s recent Awards Reception in Virginia Beach, the following members were recognized for their outstanding achievements in dietetics and extraordinary contributions to our profession and Association.
Kathleen, MS, RD - Distinguished Dietitian of the Year
For 55 years, the Distinguished Dietitian Award is VDA's highest honor bestowed upon a deserving member. From the Tidewater District, Kathleen Walters is this year's stellar recipient. As VDA's Immediate Past President, she has worked steadfastly in the pursuit of excellence for our association over many years through the ranks of numerous committee assignments and elected positions. With dedicated vision and tireless effort, Kathleen has recently coordinated the update of VDA's website and co-chaired this year's Annual Meeting in Virginia Beach. Throughout her career with the health department, she has served Virginia residents from birth to the elderly by making the most of every opportunity to intervene where nutritional needs are identified. Kathleen has worked diligently to establish strong local networks to facilitate better access to care for those in need. She has served as an outstanding role model to many young people in our field with her vast knowledge base, ethics, insight and unwavering commitment to the profession of dietetics. To paraphrase the words of a colleague, when Kathleen talks, people listen. When she leads, people follow. And where she is positioned in life and career, people aspire to walk in her footsteps.
Laura Cason, RD - Recognized Young Dietitian of the Year
From the Blue Ridge District, Laura completed her BS degree at James Madison University, Dietetic Internship at Radford Universtiy and is currently pursuing a Masters of Education & Health Promotion at Virginia Tech. Following a wealth of clinical and consulting assignments in her early career, Laura has found a passion for long term care that she now brings to the Bridgewater Retirement Community. In all positions, Laura has gained the respect of her colleagues as providing excellent coordination of care and individualized client attention with evidence based practice that separates her from the crowd. Laura currently serves VDA as Member Services Division Coordinator in which she has developed a new promotional piece on the "Top Reasons to Volunteer with VDA" that will be used to solicit new energy and talent for our Association. She is BRDA's Website Liaison following tenures as President; President-Elect and Nominating Committee Chair. Laura is committed to always pursuing the best interest of her clients, expanding her knowledge in the field of health and nutrition and dedicating her time and talent to serve the association and community.
Michele Powers-Farber, RD, - Emerging Dietetic Leader
Michele is a member of the Northern District. Armed with degrees from Johnson & Wales University in Baking & Pastry Arts and Culinary Nutrition, she completed internships at Virginia Tech and Cooking Light Magazine then set out to craft a unique career by combining her culinary arts expertise with a sound knowledge of food and nutrition. Michele currently wears three hats on the job including Personal Chef and Nutrition Consultant for a family of four in Northern Virginia; Recipe Developer for Cooking Light Magazine in which she develops, tests and edits recipes according to their literary and nutritional guidelines; and Owner of Nutrient Chef, LLC in which she teaches themed cooking classes, corporate wellness seminars and provides health-focused cheffing in concert with nutrition counseling to clients affected by chronic disease. Some of you may recognize her from the ADA FNCE food demonstrations that she conducted in Denver, Chicago and Philadelphia on the topic of whole grains. Michele is co-founder of the Great Falls Womens Business Luncheon, President of a regional chapter of Business Networking International and serves the association as Recording Secretary on the NDVDA Board of Directors.
Brenda Bosher, DTR - Recognized Dietetic Technician of the Year
Brenda is from the Richmond District and a graduate of J. Seargent Reynolds Community College in which she received a degree in Applied Science and Nutrition. She is currently pursuing a BS degree in Nutrition & Dietetics at Virginia State University. While making her way from DTR to future RD, Brenda enjoys sharing her knowledge with whomever will listen...be it clients in her care, employees, colleagues or church groups with whom she regularly volunteers. Over the past few years, her patient care focus has expanded to include dietary management at Our Lady of Hope Health Center in Richmond where she is employed as the Director of Food Services. Brenda manages all kitchen operations and oversees 25 employees in this retirement-rehab setting. Her Administrator praises the energy and enthusiasm that Brenda brings to the job as well as her communication skills and openness to volunteer opportunities in which to share her time and talent. Brenda has served both the VDA and RDA boards over the past several years as the Diet Tech Representative in which she gives voice to the DTR contingent in our association at both the local and state levels.
50 Year ADA Members in Virginia
Mary DeWitt - Beford, VA
Nancy Gunther - Alexandria, VA
Mary Pat Lane - Fairfax, VA
Beverly Lowe - Heathsville, VA
Anne Smith - Charlottesville, VA
Professional Development Award Recipient: Kathy Reily, RD, CDE (NDVDA)
Graduate Scholarship Award Recipients: Laura Cason, RD (BRDA) & Nour El-Zibdeh, RD (NDVDA)
ADA Outstanding Student Award for Dietetic Internship: Jennifer Schafer (Virginia Tech)
ADA Outstanding Student Award for DPD Program: Rachel Cornett (Virginia Tech)