Conferences & Webinars
Thank you to everyone that attended the conference this year. Our Virtual Exhibit Hall is still open, so check it out and support our sponsors and exhibitors that made the conference possible.
Kristen Brogan, MS, RD
Kristen is the Executive Chef to Governor Gretchen Whitmer and also works as a consulting dietitian for her family’s health and performance company, On Target Living, where she provides speaking engagements and wellness retreats for organizations and business executives. Kristen is the author of Target to Table, Healthy & Delicious Meals One Superfood at a Time and a certified yoga instructor and personal trainer. She teaches a lifestyle that blends mindful eating, mindful moving, and mindful resting to build your whole self. Her dream is to one day have her own cooking show on the Food Network, titled Mindfully Delicious.
Naim Edwards, MS
Naim is a Morehouse Man and earned his Master of Science degree at the University of Michigan. He knew when he finished high school that he wanted to dedicate his life to protecting biodiversity. While serving in the Peace Corps in Ecuador, Naim began to see agriculture as the best sector for healing the planet. Naim now works for Michigan State University Extension developing one of the first urban agriculture centers in the country.
Kristen Firby, RDN
Kristen is a clinical dietitian for Michigan Medicine and a member of the Clinical Practice Group and Food Service Systems Enhancement Committee. She is a graduate of Western Michigan University and completed her internship at the University of Michigan.
Jennifer Ford, MA, RDN
Jennifer serves as an Assistant Professor and Program Director of Grand Valley State University’s Clinical Dietetics Coordinated Graduate Program. She has over 20 years of experience as an RDN and throughout her career has worked in a variety of settings, including leadership roles, inpatient clinical dietetics, outpatient nutrition counseling in bone marrow transplant, hematology, oncology, radiation and chemotherapy, community/wellness, and media/marketing. Her past dietetic experience also consists of working in cardiology, neurology, critical care, medical and surgical intensive care, gastrointestinal, orthopedics, medical-surgical, nephrology, diabetes, women’s health, high-risk obstetrics and gynecology, pediatrics, and bariatrics
Charla Gordon, MA, RD, CDCES, CHWC, CHES
Charla has been working with Tribal communities throughout Michigan for over 30 years. Her teaching and coaching skills have evolved over the years as she watched, listened, and learned from clients, coworkers, and many mentors. She is very excited to discuss community-based nutrition programming and the role of the RD in Tribal communities.
Anja Grommons, MA, RD
Anja earned her bachelor’s degree and completed her dietetic internship and graduate studies at Western Michigan University, where she now works as an instructor within the dietetics program. She works full time as a clinical dietitian at Bronson Methodist Hospital in the Pediatric Sub Specialty Clinic where she provides individualized medical nutrition therapy to pediatric patients with malnutrition, food allergies, and gastrointestinal disorders. Additionally, Anja is a staff writer for VegOut Magazine, an all-vegan food and lifestyle magazine, and website. She is passionate about plant-based eating patterns and has expertise in vegetarian nutrition throughout the lifespan.
Randalynn Hajek, MPH, RDN
Randalynn is a faculty member at Grand Valley State University for the Clinical Dietetics and Applied Food and Nutrition programs. Previously, she worked as a clinical dietitian in a variety of settings, but primary oncology from 2010-2020. Randalynn has a passion for public health and enjoys yoga and snuggling her two rescue pups.
Lisa Laughman, LMSW, ACSW
Lisa is a licensed clinical social worker who received a bachelor’s degree in social work from Eastern Michigan University and a master’s degree in social work from Michigan State University. Lisa has worked in the areas of addictions counseling, foster care, and employee assistance counseling, and has served Michigan State University as an employee assistance counselor since 2003, and as an emotional wellness consultant since 2005.
Wanda D. Lipscomb, PhD
Dr. Lipscomb is the Senior Associate Dean for Diversity and Inclusion and the Associate Dean for Student Affairs at the Michigan State University College of Human Medicine. She is a tenured Associate Professor of Psychiatry and has served in several other administrative roles at the college including Associate Chairperson of the Department of Psychiatry, and Director of Admissions. Dr. Lipscomb is the Director of the Advanced Baccalaureate Learning Experience (ABLE) Program, a conditional admissions post-baccalaureate program established in 1986. The ABLE Program has provided the educational pathway for over 300 students from underrepresented minority and disadvantaged backgrounds to enter medical school after successful completion of the program. There are over 250 medical doctors from diverse backgrounds in the health workforce because of this innovative program.
Elizabeth “Libby” MacQuillan, PhD, RDN, CHSE
Dr. MacQuillan earned her doctoral degree in Interdisciplinary Health Sciences from Western Michigan University, where she earned high honors for both her research and teaching efforts, receiving the All-University Graduate Teaching Effectiveness Award and the All-University Graduate Research Excellence Award. She is the first RD in the U.S. to earn the Certified Healthcare Simulation Educator credential from the Society for Simulation in Healthcare. She is currently the Program Director of the Applied Food and Nutrition DPD program at GVSU and has worked clinically as both a dietitian and a lactation consultant. Her research interests include spatial analysis of nutrition-related health outcomes, maternal-infant nutrition, and pedagogical advancements in the clinical education of RDs, such as the use of simulation, and her work has been published in several prestigious journals and presented at several national meetings.
Bethany Muma, PharmD
Dr. Muma completed her Doctor of Pharmacy degree at Butler University in Indianapolis and went on to complete her residency training at Mission Hospital in Asheville, North Carolina. Bethany is a Board Certified Ambulatory Care Pharmacist and currently works for Bronson Healthcare Group in Kalamazoo. In her role, she specializes in chronic disease state management, predominantly working with patients with type 2 diabetes.
Takara Page, MS, RDN
Takara is a Professor at Grand Valley State University. Previously she managed a large hospital system in Southwest Michigan and specialized in nutrition support and malnutrition.
Amber Pearson, PhD
Dr. Pearson is an Associate Professor in the Department of Geography at Michigan State University. She is a health geographer with a focus on social justice and understanding the unexpected tenacity, adaptability, and resilience of the underprivileged. Her research relates to aspects of the built, physical, and social environment that bolster health in the face of adversity.
W. Saige Richardson, PT, CLT-LANA
W. Saige has been in the Physical Therapy profession for over 30 years. Since 2008, she has specialized in the treatment of patients with pelvic floor dysfunction(s). Saige is an adjunct instructor with Herman and Wallace providing continuing education while also treating a full-time caseload consisting of a variety of patients as the Clinic Director for Team Rehabilitation in Lansing.
Sarah Smith, MS, RD
Sarah is an outpatient dietitian at Sparrow Health Systems in Lansing. She counsels clients in regards to their nutritional issues and needs, teaches numerous classes in the demonstration kitchen, teaches lecture classes to patients about cardiac nutrition and pulmonary nutrition, and is the clinical dietitian for Sparrow Homecare.
Friday Forums Webinar Series
Back by popular demand, our Friday Forums Webinar Series! MiAND will host six webinars from 12:00 pm to 1:00 pm on the Fridays listed below. We have some interesting topics and dynamic speakers and we invite and encourage you to attend all the webinars.
Register today and get a chance to earn a FREE registration to a MiAND webinar!
As an appreciation and thank you to our members, MiAND is awarding one free registration to a future MiAND webinar. Could YOU be the lucky winner?
Here’s how it works: At the end of the presentations, our MiAND moderator will choose a number from within the range of registrations. The name attached to that number will be announced, and the recipient will receive free registration for one future MiAND webinar. Note: winner must be present to win. If you purchased the webinar series, you will receive a credit for a future webinar. There is no drawing during the October 21st webinar.
Plus, a bonus! Stay connected for peer discussion! Please join us if you can stay on after the webinars for Peer Discussion and the opportunity to decompress and reflect on the presentations. These 20-30 minute sessions will be hosted by our President and moderating team. Join us if you can!
- MiAND Active Members
- One webinar: $16
- 5-webinar package: $64 *Saves the cost of one webinar!*
- You must purchase the package by 10/3/2022. Offer expires 10/4/2022.
- You must purchase the package by 10/3/2022. Offer expires 10/4/2022.
- MiAND Retirees, Dietetic Students, and Interns
- One webinar: $13
- 5-webinar package: $52 *Saves the cost of one webinar!*
- You must purchase the package by 10/3/2022. Offer expires 10/4/2022.
- You must purchase the package by 10/3/2022. Offer expires 10/4/2022.
- Non-members: Includes Michigan non-members, other Academy Affiliate members, and non-RDN professionals
- One webinar: $25
Not a member? Join the Academy today to receive our member webinar prices!
Get the benefit of a Two for One – Academy and Michigan Academy membership. To be eligible for member webinar pricing you must join before registering and at least 2 weeks before the scheduled webinar.
Go to: www.eatrightpro.org/Join or call the Academy Member Service Center at (800) 877-1600 Ext. 5000. Be sure to list Michigan as your affiliate state!
Presenter
- Bonnie Nasar, RDN
Presentation Highlights
It is important to understand the complexities of offering nutrition therapy to mast cell disease patients. Disease comorbidities play an important role in determining the best plan of action for individuals. Identifying each individual patient’s triggers is key. While there is no way to ascertain food intolerances via testing, we can use tools available to help manage symptoms and support these patients with nutrition.
Learning Objectives
- Understand mast cell disease and the symptoms that affect diagnosed patients
- Learn how nutrition therapy can support patients with mast cell disease
- Learn which supplements might be helpful
Continuing Education
- Suggested CDR Performance Indicators: 8.1, 8.2, 8.5
- Level 2
- This webinar is accredited by CDR for 1 CPEU; Includes webinar recording
About the Presenter
Bonnie Nasar, RDN
Bonnie is a registered dietitian with a private practice in New Jersey. She graduated Magna Cum Laude from New York University with a BS in Nutrition and Food Studies and completed her Dietetic Internship through CUNY-Hunter in New York City. For over twenty years, Bonnie has been a registered dietitian nutritionist working with every age group from babies to the elderly. After many years of navigating Mast Cell Disease with two of her four children, Bonnie decided to narrow down her nutrition practice and specialize in Mast Cell Disease, Ehlers Danlos Syndrome, Gastroparesis, and Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome (POTS). She is a volunteer with The Mast Cell Disease Society, and a committee member of the Diet and Nutrition Working Group for The Ehlers Danlos Society International Consortium for EDS and Related Conditions.
Presenter
- Tamara Melton, MS, RDN, LD
Presentation Highlights
Research has shown that diversity in all forms improves outcomes; increases patient and client satisfaction and strengthens teams. Attendees will learn how they can provide higher quality care by incorporating practical culturally-sensitive strategies in their practice, no matter their specialty area. The speaker will also discuss approaches on how to grow and nurture diverse, collaborative teams.
Learning Objectives
- Define cultural competence and cultural humility.
- Recognize the benefits of diversity in healthcare practices and in interdisciplinary teams.
- Identify how diversity will improve their practice.
Continuing Education
- Suggested CDR Performance Indicators: 1.3.6, 1.3.7, 1.3.8
- Level 2
- This webinar is accredited by CDR for 1 CPEU; Includes webinar recording
About the Presenter
Tamara Melton, MS, RDN, LD
Tamara is the co-founder and Executive Director of Diversify Dietetics, a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization with a mission to increase the racial and ethnic diversity in the field of nutrition by empowering nutrition leaders of tomorrow. She has over a decade’s experience in education and academia and has taught and advised thousands of students from diverse backgrounds at Georgia State University. Tamara has been recognized for numerous awards due to her leadership and accomplishments over her years as a dietitian. Her most recent awards include an Excellence in Practice in Diversity and Inclusion by the Academy of Nutrition and Dietitecs (2019); Outstanding Dietitian of the Year by the Georgia Academy of Nutrition and Dieteitcs (2022); and being named as a 40 Under 40 by her alma mater Georgia State University (2022). Tamara lives in Atlanta, Georgia with her husband and two young daughters.
Presenter
- Leslie Auld, LMSW, ACSW
Presentation Highlights
Mental health is a topic we frequently hear about in the news and in social and professional circles, but mental health is rarely well-defined. Understanding what healthy emotional functioning is, what causes mental health problems, and what to do about them starts and ends with self-compassion. A focus on self-compassion addresses the most important relationship you will ever have in life; the relationship you have with yourself. Begin today taking actions toward your own healthy emotional functioning, putting self-compassion into action.
Learning Objectives
- Understanding self-compassion
- Identify barriers to self-compassion
- Gain a specific understanding of ways to take action in self-compassion
Continuing Education
- Suggested CDR Performance Indicators: 2.3.5; 3.1.1, 3.1.3, 4.2.2
- Level 2
- This webinar is accredited by CDR for 1 CPEU; Includes webinar recording
About the Presenter
Leslie Auld, LMSW, ACSW
Leslie is a psychotherapist practicing in East Lansing, Michigan with 33 years of experience in the mental health field and 22 years as a psychotherapist in private practice. During her years of practice, Leslie has engaged in intensive training to gain a deeper understanding of healthy human functioning and how to address the problems we inevitably face in life to maintain good mental health. Leslie is committed to making understanding of healthy functioning and how to achieve it widely available such that we all live in a healthier world where problems are manageable, and relationships are healthy and supportive.
Presenter
- Alicia Galvin, MEd, RD, LD, IFNCP
Presentation Highlights
While not a new condition, Small Intestinal Bacterial Overgrowth (SIBO) is rapidly gaining attention within the medical and dietetic community, and most practitioners will encounter this condition in their patient populations. Despite this, research is still emerging. During this presentation, we will discuss the most up-to-date information regarding the impact of SIBO on an individual, how to intervene nutritionally, and provide clinical pearls to help clinicians feel more confident in working with this condition.
Learning Objectives
- Distinguish among the different types of SIBO
- Recognize signs and symptoms of SIBO, including those beyond the GI tract
- Understand the correlation between SIBO and other diagnoses, especially overlap with IBS
- Differentiate among appropriate testing and tools to identify SIBO
- Discuss nutritional intervention strategies
Continuing Education
- Suggested CDR Performance Indicators: 4.1.2, 4.2.5, 8.1.2, 8.1.3
- Level 2
- This webinar is accredited by CDR for 1 CPEU; Includes webinar recording
About the Presenter
Alicia Galvin, MEd, RD, LD, IFNCP
Alicia has practiced in the Dallas/Fort Worth area since 2010 with an emphasis on GI health, therapeutic diets, wellness, and autoimmunity. She has always had a fascination with the way food and nutrition influence health and currently practices as an integrative and functional dietitian who helps patients develop customized solutions that empower them to take control of their health challenges.
Presenter
- Julia Cassidy, MS, RD, CEDRD-S
Presentation Highlights
Nutrition therapy for substance abuse is complex as the nutritional risks vary depending on the substance of choice. Proper nutrition and hydration are key to the substance abuse healing process because they help restore physical and mental health and improve the chance of recovery. It’s vital to correct any nutritional deficiencies and address any medical conditions, as continued malnutrition and instability increase disease risk and will produce cravings for drugs and alcohol.
Learning Objectives
- Following this presentation participants will be able to understand how macronutrients and micronutrients aid in SUD healing.
- Following this presentation participants will be able to understand how to reduce cravings through nutrition therapy.
- Following this presentation participants will be able to identify nutrition therapy goals for substance use recovery.
Continuing Education
- Suggested CDR Performance Indicators: 8.1, 8.2, 9.2, 9.3, 9.5, 9.6, 10.3, 10.5
- Level 2
- This webinar is accredited by CDR for 1 CPEU; Includes webinar recording
About the Presenter
Julia Cassidy, MS, RD, CEDRD-S
Julia is the VP of Clinical Nutrition Services for Alsana. She is an experienced RD who has worked in the Behavioral Health field for almost 20 years. Julia is a Certified Eating Disorder Specialist Supervisor and a Licensed Body Positive facilitator, and she is the current Past Chair for BHN (Behavioral Health Nutrition, Didactic Practice Group through the Academy).
Julia has presented the topic of eating disorders, mental health nutrition, nutrition for SUD recovery, food flexibility, dietary application of exposure and response prevention, and intuitive eating both nationally and internationally. She is passionate about helping individuals heal the relationship between food and their body.
Presenter
- Mia Jang, Ph.D.
Presentation Highlights
The COVID-19 pandemic has profoundly changed how we live and work and accelerated technological innovations in many areas of our lives. Technology becomes key to healthcare for connecting with patients, providing personalized services, managing educational content, and collaborating with others. The use of technologies will empower nutrition/dietetic professionals to get better prepared for current and future healthcare. This webinar will provide information on useful online/mobile apps for nutritional services, promotion, management of content, and collaboration.
Learning Objectives
- Overview of technology for health education and services
- Benefits of technology in chronic disease management
- Online or mobile apps for chronic disease management
- RDN Case: WATT and other technologies for Diabetes Prevention Program
- Technologies for professional work: Apps for educational/promotion materials, content management, and connecting/collaboration.
Continuing Education
- Suggested CDR Performance Indicators: 5.2.1, 5.2.7, 9.3.3, 11.4.1
- Level 2
- This webinar is accredited by CDR for 1 CPEU; Includes webinar recording
About the Presenter
Mia Jang, Ph.D.
Dr. Jang is the Founder and CEO of Health & Wellness Innovations. Her company provides a digital health technology platform, WATT, to health educators to help them deliver personalized chronic disease management programs. The company also provides research and consulting services for data analytics and business processes.
Mia received her Ph.D. in nutrition from MSU, looking at the biochemical aspects of the obesity mechanism in mice. She acquired deep knowledge, experience, and skillsets in database/technology infrastructure and digital health technology through over 20 years of experience in the health IT field. She is the architect of the WATT technology and brings more than 20 years of experience in information technology to the company.
Do you need CPE? Purchase our Recorded Webinars!
Did you miss our 2020 Friday Forums or Spring Conference webinars? Now is your chance to purchase our previously recorded webinars to watch from the comfort of your home, at a great price! For MiAND members, it’s less than $12/CPEU if you purchase the packages!