MDA Board Member Spotlight: Vanessa Ludlow, RD, LDN
My journey started at Penn State University’s undergraduate program where I began as a nutrition peer educator. I completed my dietetic internship at OSF St. Francis Medical Center in Peoria, Illinois where I was able to create a specialty focused emphasis on business/entrepreneurial dietetics. I relocated to Chicago to practice in Pediatric Metabolism at the University of Illinois-Chicago, then decided to switch practice areas completely when a dietitian mentor of mine (who I met through my involvement with the Chicago Dietetic Association) was leaving her position at the employee wellness program at Rush Presbyterian (across the street). I probably would still be there had the hospital not eliminated the employee wellness program (“corporate restructuring”); from there I worked in adult overweight management temporarily until finding an incredible position at Children’s Hospital within their End Stage Kidney Disease and transplant program. Also at that time I was elected for the secretary position of the Chicago Dietetic Association.
After getting engaged, I relocated to Minnesota (where my husband Sean is originally from) where I continued working with adults with end stage kidney disease for a short time. We eventually decided to start a company and buy a restaurant, which we ran for the next year (Sean is a chef). When we had regained our sanity a year later, we left Minnesota (and the restaurant business) in search of a better work/life balance. That led us to Boston, where I returned to pediatrics at Children’s Hospital initially practicing in several outpatient areas (epilepsy, primary care, endocrine, eating disorders) and recently advanced to a newly created position as education coordinator for the department of Clinical Nutrition Services. My interviewers identified my leadership role in MDA as one of the factors I was selected for this position! I continue to see patients in the outpatient eating disorders program and Adolescent Medicine department.
What is your role on the MDA Board?
I am currently serving as the State Policy Representative. I manage MA state and local advocacy agendas and oversee tactical issues on public policy. I work with ADA leaders in the state to manage practice matters and act as a liaison with ADA’s Director of State Government Relations on MA’s response to emerging opportunities and problems.
How did you first get involved in MDA?
I first got involved by having an encouraging discussion with one of my coworkers (Kendrin Sonneville) who was also involved. Have you held any other positions with MDA? I was the Director-Elect of Legislation last year.
What have you learned by being involved in MDA?
Dietitians are doing amazing things in Massachusetts! There are an endless number of opportunities that present themselves to you simply by your willingness to be involved, from meeting other RDs to career advancement opportunities.
What message would you like to share with MDA members?
Don’t just be a member on your resume; get involved, meet people, learn and get support from this community of RDs!