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Diversity & Inclusion

Monthly News 

Submit your favorite recipe to share on the MAND Inclusion, Diversity, Equity and Access (IDEA) webpage!

We would love to highlight the unique and individual foods and customs of our members. All submissions received by May 1, 2023  will be entered into a drawing to receive a $25 gift card to a local business of your choice. Questions? Feel free to reach out to Susan Hazarvartian at hazarvartian@teppllc.com or Jamie Ekstrom at jamieekstrom1@gmail.com.

Click here to Submit! 

See below example of a recipe that has been submitted and added to our webpage! 

Calendar of Celebrations 2023

 Coming soon!

Academy Diversity and Inclusion Statement

The Academy encourages diversity and inclusion by striving to recognize, respect and include differences in ability, age, creed, culture, ethnicity, gender, gender identity, political affiliation, race, religion, sexual orientation, size, and socioeconomic characteristics in the nutrition and dietetics profession.

Past DEI Spotlights 

Chinese New Year Taro Cake Recipe submitted by Quynh Tu, RD, LDN, CDCES

Language Barriers and Healthcare Access with Quynh Tu, RD, LDN, CDCES

AAPI Month 2022 Spotlight with Wendy Ng, RDN, LDN

AAPI Month 2021 Spotlight with Rosalinda Sar

Asian American Diabetes Initiative Spotlight with Ka Hei Karen Lau, MS, RDN, LDN, CDCES

Arab American Heritage Month Spotlight with Norah Ismail, MS, RD, LDN

Middle Eastern DEI Spotlight with Reem Bou-Nacklie

Black History Month Spotlight with Sue-Ellen Anderson Haynes, MS, RDN, CDCES, LDN, NASM-CPT

DEI Spotlight with Jay Patruno, RD, LDN, CPT

The Less Traveled Path at MAND with Quynh Tu, RD, LDN, CDCES

Celebrate Your Roots with Shennie Quintanilla, MS, RD, LDN

DEI Resources

• Ohio AND Diversity Page
• AND Research DPG Diversity Page
• Vegetarian Nutrition DPG Message
• Renal Dietitians DPG Diversity Page
• Diversify Dietetics 

About Us

The IDEA Committee, originally called the Diversity Committee, established itself in the organization in 2016. The committee is funded by the annual Diversity Mini Grant from the Academy (see here). Activities include monthly meetings, community outreach, CEU event planning, working with MDEF on diversity scholarships, and awarding free student AND memberships. In the past six years, committee members and volunteers have completed 2 to 5 events each year, outreached to about 400 students in four different counties within Massachusetts, awarded diversity scholarships totalling 10 students pursuing dietetics education, and each year have granted up to 15 free student AND memberships.

Active Members:

• Susan Hazarvartian (Diversity Liaison/SPRC & Committee Chair)
• Jamie Ekstrom (Diversity Liaison/State Professional Recruitment Coordinator-Elect)
• Rachel Andrade (Past Diversity Liaison)
• Anna Bondy
• Angela Ditucci
• Quynh Tu 
• Sue-Ellen Anderson-Haynes  
• Ema Barbosa Brown
• Shennie Quintanilla

Supporting Members: 

• Mariana Calle 
• Maureen Kelly Gonsalves 

2020-2022 Action Plan 

Short-term goals:

• Developing webinar opportunities on diversity for MAND members that provide free continuing education units
• Create ongoing content on MAND webpage through blog posts highlighting diversity in our students, interns, and dietetics professionals
• Attend virtual career fairs and outreach at community colleges across MA

Long-term goals:

• Require state licensure to include diversity training for a minimum of 3 units during the 2 year cycle
• Put together curriculum/content for state licensure diversity training requirement -  would be provided to MAND members for free
• Virtual or socially distanced and/or safe in-class discussions and outreach to 8th grade students
  

We Welcome All

We invite all voices to contribute and be heard, or to simply reach out for learning opportunities. If you would like to learn more about our committee or would like to participate, please contact:

Susan Hazarvartian - hazarvatian@teppllc.com