Member Spotlights & Awards
Recognizing the achievements of VAND members
Annual Award Recipients
Congratulations To The Following 2024 VAND Annual Award Recipients!
OUTSTANDING DIETITIAN OF THE YEAR
Jill Comess, DHSc, MS, RDN
Each year the Virginia Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics presents the highest honor that is bestowed upon a well-deserving Registered Dietitian Nutritionist VAND member: the Outstanding Dietitian of the Year Award.
This award recognizes hard work, loyalty, integrity, and leadership within our organization on a district and state level. He or she exemplifies the Vision of AND to optimize health through food and nutrition; she promotes the Mission of AND which is to empower members to be the food and nutrition leaders.
The Outstanding Dietitian of the Year Award for Virginia goes to Jill Comess, DHSc, MS, RDN, from the Tidewater District of VAND.
EMERGING DIETETICS LEADER
Trisha Sterringer, RD, LDN
The Emerging Dietetics Leader Award for Virginia goes to Trisha Sterringer, MS, RD, CSCS from the Southwest Region of VAND.
RECOGNIZED YOUNG DIETITIAN OF THE YEAR
Erica Howes, PhD, MPH, RDN
The Recognized Young Dietitian Of the Year Award for Virginia goes to Erica Howes, PhD, MPH, RDN from the Southwest Region of VAND.
OUTSTANDING DIETETIC Intern
Reagan Amand
The Outstanding Dietetic Student Award: Dietetic Intern for Virginia goes to Reagan Amand from the Greater Richmond District of VAND.
OUTSTANDING DIETETICS Graduate STUDENT
Reilly Krason
The Outstanding Dietetic Student Award for Virginia goes to Reilly Krason from the Southwest Region of VAND.
Member Spotlight
Highlighting Our Incredible VAND Members!
Interviewer: What is your current position of employment and what are the responsibilities you have in that role?
Lesley currently lives in Lynchburg where she serves as the Clinical Nutrition Manager for renal nutrition for the University of Virginia (UVA). In this position she oversees 12 dialysis units and 12 dietitians. She is also the home dialysis program manager, which serves approximately 45 patients. Additionally, Lesley provides staff relief when there is a vacancy – which seems to be a never-ending problem in today’s post-COVID healthcare environment. Lesley attended James Madison University (JMU) where she took a nutrition course her freshman year and fell in love with it. She also obtained her Master of Science from JMU and during a clinical practicum she discovered renal dietetics, which has been her area of practice for over thirty years. Lesley loves renal dietetics, her job, and the people on her team!
Interviewer: Wise words to dietetic professionals?
Lesley has two words of advice for young (and established) professionals – flexibility and advocacy. Flexibility is key to success in a rapidly changing world.
Also, the future of dietetics depends on advocacy for our profession and patients (clients). She stated, “We as a profession need to advocate better for ourselves and
our profession. We are the nutrition experts, and we should not shy away from practicing to the full extent of our scope … and be paid fairly and appropriately for the work we do.” Spoken like a great advocate! Lesley is very concerned about the future of the profession and specifically the shortage of dietitians. She feels that the need for Chronic Kidney Disease Medical Nutrition Therapy will continue to grow, and we will be unable to meet the future needs if we aren’t focused on growth of our field and increasing the number of RDNS that remain in healthcare.
Highlighted Member
Lesley McPhatter, MS, RDN, CSR
It is a pleasure to “shine the light” on the career of Lesley McPhatter, MS, RDN, CSR. Lesley’s name should be familiar to all of us because she serves as the Virginia State Policy Representative. We are fortunate to have Lesley in this position and as a member of the Virginia Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics (VAND). Below are highlights of Lesley’s career – one based on a commitment to her patients and the profession.
Interviewer: Favorite aspects of being a VAND member?
Lesley currently serves as the Virginia State Policy Representative. Her legislative work has enabled her to meet dietitians from all over Virginia. In this capacity, she enjoys serving on the VAND Board. For her the highlights are teamwork, relationship building, and the opportunity to promote the importance of advocacy and public policy to the membership. She feels that all dietitians need to participate in advocating for the profession because “no one else will do it for you”. She encourages members to get involved by volunteering and acting when you receive requests from AND or VAND (such as the action alerts).
Interviewer: Favorite non-working activity?
When Lesley is not working, her interests are running (ultramarathons), dogs, being outside, reading and family. When thinking about retirement, she pictures herself “sitting on the James River surrounded by Goldendoodles and maybe a grandchild or three”.
Interviewer: VAND is indeed lucky to have Lesley as a member. She has a broad understanding
of the profession and its future. Lesley is passionate and positive as she works endlessly in the legislative arena to move VAND forward for each of us. Lesley, thank you for taking time from your busy schedule to share your career path with us and all that you do for the VAND members. You are an inspiration!
Submitted by:
Margaret Tate, RDN, MS
Phone
703-957-9347
Address
Virginia Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics
44715 Prentice Drive #358 Ashburn, VA 20146