CYNTHIA TAFT BAYERL, MS, RD, LDN

Director, State Policy Representative

Oversees the Public Policy Panel to address state legislative and regulatory issues.

Current position

Nutrition Coordinator & Coordinator, MA Fruit & Vegetable Nutrition Council Nutrition and Physical Activity Unit Div. of Community Health Promotion Massachusetts Department of Public Health (MDPH)

Previous positions

Primary Care Nutritionist, Massachusetts Department of Public Health (1996- 2003) Nutritionist for Children with Special Health Care, Massachusetts Department of Public Health (1986-1996)

Coordinator of Ambulatory Nutrition Services, NE Deaconess Hospital (1982-1985)

Cystic Fibrosis and Clinical Dietitian, Children’s Hospital Boston, MA (1972-1982)

Professional activities

ADA Behavioral Nutrition DPG

ADA Diabetes Care and Education DPG

ADA Pediatric Nutrition DPG

ADA Public Health/Community Nutrition DPG

President, League of Women Voters, North Reading MA Chapter (1998-present)

MDA, Director-Elect Legislation (now State Policy Representative-elect), 2007-2008

MDA, Affiliate Delegate (2001-2007)

ADA, HOD Associations Position Committee (2002-2006)

ADA Member-Associations Position Committee, ADA (2002-2006)

ADA, Political Action Committee Member (2003-2004); Chair (1999-2000)

MDA, President-Elect/President (July 1999-July 2000)

ADA Medallion Award (1999)

Outstanding Member, ADA Pediatric Nutrition Practice Group (1999)

Award for Excellence in Community Nutrition, ADA (1996)

Distinguished Service Award for Nutrition Services and Advocacy for Children with Special Health Care Needs, NE Nutritionists for Special Health Care Needs (1995)

Distinguished Dietitian, MDA (1992)

ADA, Pediatric Nutrition Practice Group, Chair-elect/Chair (1987-1989)

Distinguished Alumnae Award, St. Mary's Academy, Byview Riverside, Rhode Island (1980)

Young Dietitian of the Year, MDA (1980)

What do you want to accomplish

"I worked as part of the MDA leadership team for 13 years for passage of licensure, which occurred while I was MDA President. As State Policy Representative on the Public Policy Panel we are focusing on inclusion of MNT in state MassHealth (Medicaid) language. MDA is also working with public and private partners for reimbursement of MNT for obesity. My goal for MDA is to expand the legislative efforts to include more member involvement with their congressman and state legislators so that all the issues within legislation and public policy are included (ex: the reimbursement, communication, marketing and health care)."