Tag: HDA President’s Message

Aloha HDA members and fellow colleagues,

Happy New Year!  It’s hard to believe this marks the year of our 75th Anniversary as an organization.  HDA is proud to represent you.  Our members are the most valued source of food and nutrition services in the state of Hawaii.  It’s with you in mind that I share what’s in store for 2014.

I’m so very excited about our 2014 Annual Spring Conference:  “Kūlia: Strive!”  We have an exciting line up of speakers and topics.  The Council on Professional Issues (CPI) committee is hard at work planning an educational and social event that is sure to nourish your Mind, Body and Spirit.  Online registration begins on February 7, 2014. We will have an announcement and link on our website by this date.

We will be recognizing and celebrating the work of those dietitians who led the way for the future of dietetics in Hawaii.  You may submit pictures, HDA memorabilia, and stories you wish to share to Ann Ditzler.

It’s time for the 2014 Academy elections!  Voting opened on February 1 and runs through February 22, 2014.  As a member of the Academy, you can help shape the future of the dietetics profession by exercising your privilege to vote.  You will be automatically entered to win a FREE registration to the Academy’s Food & Nutrition Conference Expo (FNCE), October 18-21, 2014 in Atlanta!  Visit www.eatright.org/elections to view the slate of candidates and vote electronically.

The HDA Public Policy Panel is planning for our 4^th annual State Legislative Day on Wednesday, March 12, 2014.  This day also celebrates National Registered Dietitian Day.  Please join us for this opportunity to network with fellow RDs in the community.  HDA will be hosting a networking breakfast for members and state legislators.  Legislative visits are also being planned to discuss important and relevant food and nutrition related legislation.

Your board of directors met on January 16, 2014.  One of the goals of the board is to bring more value to you our members!  Another first for HDA is our newly enhanced website and Facebook page.  Our FB page went live on October 26, 2013.  I invite you to visit and “like” our FB page at https://www.facebook.com/HawaiiDieteticAssociation

Finally, we are looking for nominations for the following:

• Recognized Young Dietitian of the Year
• Emerging Dietetic Leader of the Year
• Outstanding Dietitian of the Year
• Outstanding Dietetics Student Award

Contact me to submit names of potential nominees and obtain an award application.

As an organization of more than 300 members made up food and nutrition professionals, I am honored to share in our continued mission to promote optimal nutrition, health and well-being to the people of Hawaii.

In good health and gratitude,

Sally

Aloha HDA members and fellow colleagues,

My first few months as your president have been filled with opportunities and challenges alike. With these opportunities and challenges comes great reward. I have received emails from you, our members saying how much you appreciate receiving updates and announcements. HDA is made up of a diverse and dynamic group of individuals. As a member, I have personally enjoyed meeting and networking with fellow colleagues.

There is a lot to look forward to in 2014. HDA will be celebrating 75 amazing years as an organization. This is an exciting time for Hawaii dietitian nutritionists. We are in the midst of changes in the way health care is being delivered and this includes critical nutrition services we provide to our patients and our Hawaii community. These changes will provide dietitians with the unique opportunity to advance our profession and show the value of the services we provide.

The theme of our 2014 Annual Spring Conference is “Kulia: Strive!” How timely and fitting this theme is given all we have accomplished and the future opportunities which lie ahead. We are looking forward to recognizing and celebrating the work of those dietitians who paved the way for the future of dietetics in Hawaii. We welcome your submissions of pictures past and present, HDA memorabilia of all kinds, and any stories you wish to share with your fellow colleagues. Your Spring Conference Committee is hard at work planning what promises to be an engaging and informative event. We are excited about the proposed line up of speakers. As always, we value your input and suggestions for topics as well as speakers.

One of the goals of the board is to increase member involvement and our visibility as nutrition experts in and among the community. HDA and its members have participated in numerous community events, health fairs and professional coalitions. In the spirit of sharing, I would love to hear from those of you who are currently involved in any food or nutrition related initiatives.

Your board of directors met on September 19th to do some strategic planning. Part of our strategic plan includes bringing more value to you our members! We have a new and enhanced HDA website. I invite you to visit the website often for updates and opportunities to earn free CEU’s. The board has a number of committees working on some very exciting projects. Committees needing your help and talents include our Website, Public Policy Panel, Fundraising and Spring Conference planning committees. Additionally, please consider running for office or getting involved at a level that is workable for you. The HDA board meetings are always open to all HDA members. Board meetings are held bimonthly at Castle Medical Center in the administrative conference room. A list of dates is available on the HDA website.

As an organization of more than 300 members made up food and nutrition professionals, I am honored to share in our continued mission to promote optimal nutrition, health and well-being to the people of Hawaii.

In good health and gratitude,

Sally

Aloha HDA members and fellow colleagues,

I am excited, honored and privileged to serve as your president for the coming year. There is a lot to look forward to. HDA will be celebrating 75 years as an organization made up of food and nutrition professionals. Indeed we have much to celebrate. In 2012 we finally achieved our goal of the implementation of dietitian licensure, the Academy has empowered registered dietitians to get the much deserved recognition as the nutrition experts by making a bold move to change the name of the national association to the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics otherwise known as AND. Dietitians may also use the newly designated credential RDN which stands for “registered dietitian nutritionist”. This title designation encompasses all that we do in our daily work and in our profession.

I invite you to meet your HDA leadership and board of directors by visiting the HDA website. HDA has been very active as an organization. HDA and its members have participated in numerous community events, health fairs, professional coalitions, as well as formed key partnerships while attending the Physical Activity & Nutrition (PAN) Summit. Additionally, I would love to hear from those of you who are currently involved in any food or nutrition related initiatives. Our Hawaii community and our board members need to become more aware of all the good work that is being done by HDA members across the state.

We are always looking at ways to increase member involvement and ways to provide growth as well as professional development opportunities for our members. Organizations such as HDA know the importance of preparing and cultivating our future leaders. HDA has developed a mentorship program to serve this purpose.

The board has a number of committees working on some very exciting projects. Committees needing your help and talents include our Website, Public Policy Panel, Fundraising and Spring Conference planning committees.
Please consider running for office or getting involved at a level that is workable for you.

One of the goals of the board is to increase volunteerism and our visibility as nutrition experts in and among the community. HDA continues to develop and build new partnerships with organizations who share a common vision to promote health and wellness. As a result of increasing recognition and visibility, our website committee has a vision to give the HDA website a much needed face lift. The goal is to enhance our website in an effort to reach a wider audience while providing our members with a website that is streamlined, intuitive, user friendly, informational, current and fun.

The HDA board meetings are always open to all HDA members. On behalf of our board members and leadership, I invite you to join us. Board meetings are held bimonthly at Castle Medical Center in the administrative conference room. A list of dates will be made available on the HDA website.

In celebration of 75 amazing years, your HDA board of directors is planning a special event in addition to the annual spring conference in recognition of the rich history of our organization. We welcome your submissions of pictures past and present, HDA memorabilia of all kinds, and any stories you wish to share with your fellow colleagues. You may contact Ann Ditzler, committee chair and immediate past president via email as listed on our website.

As an organization of more than 300 members made up food and nutrition professionals, I am honored to share in our continued mission to promote optimal nutrition, health and well-being to the people of Hawaii.

In good health and gratitude,

Sally