Scroll down for: NNM Grant Information / Community Volunteer Opportunities / Licensure Information

A free winter RDA member CPE meeting entitled "Diabetes in Review" with Evan Sisson, Pharm.D. MHA, CDE.

• Light finger foods will be provided by our meeting sponsor, Trader Joe's.
• If you are not currently an RDA member and would like to attend, take this opportunity to join RDA at the half year rate of $15.00 and participate in this event and others to come this year.
• 2 CPE's, level 2 have been applied for, for this interactive session which will allow for group development of treatment plans for patients with diabetes. Suggested learning needs codes: 3000, 3010, 3060, 3070, 5000, 5190, 5400.
• To ensure adequate accommodations for the meeting please register by Jan. 27, 2012. If you are already a member or student and plan on attending please email Sylvia Fetty at sfetty@mcvh-vcu.edu with your registration number and/or DI or DPD program. If you are joining RDA please submit payment of $15.00 along with name, address, and registration number to Sylvia Fetty 11725 Burray Road Chesterfield, VA 23838. Questions or inclement weather concerns, call Sylvia at 828-0598. 

National Nutrition Month grants available--Deadline Extended!!

  Have you ever wanted to do something to promote National Nutrition Month but didn’t know what to do, how to get started or how to fund it? The Richmond Dietetic Association is offering money grants to help with the expenses associated with NNM events. The online application form is quick and easy. The application is due by February 1, 2012. Learn More / Apply.

 Volunteering Opportunity

Meet other RDA members, share your time and talents and serve our community. Volunteers sought to help in the "Community Kitchen" at the Central VA Foodbank. Help meet the needs of preparing or packing to go lunches and other foods for the many groups of needy children. This is a great opportunity to represent the RDA. Upcoming dates to volunteer  include: Tuesday, March 6 from 9 am to 1 pm and Wednesday, May 2 from 1 pm  to 4 pm.  If you are interested in volunteering please contact Cate Young at 540-850-6657 or catecyoung@gmail.com  as soon as possible.   

We are Powerful, Embrace and Show It!

I am both honored and excited to represent all the dietitians and dietetic technicians in the Richmond District this year. It is amazing how much power we as nutrition professionals have within our community. Whether you educate clients, teach students or interns, care for the elderly or sick patients in a hospital, assist a child in the community, write grants, plan menus, manage a food service department, a group of dietitians or your home, own a business, or write articles,  you are a powerful member of our profession and community.

As we move closer to the licensure goal, the RDA and VDA are in need of the special power that you possess. Obviously each of us has different strengths and this endeavor takes all of you to make it a success. Elaine Smith, our legislative contact for RDA, has a wealth of information that will answer questions and let you know how you can be a part of something that will provide even more power to us as nutrition professionals.

The membership drive is in full swing, so make sure to renew or join the RDA this year. You can do this either on-line or via mail. See the “Join RDA today” link on the right side of the screen. We are here for you, the members, and welcome any ideas or suggestions you have to improve this organization. You can email them to me at cristagc@yahoo.com.  We will again be offering education sessions at discounted rates to our members and the website will continue to expand and change with new information.

I would like to thank the board members for serving with me to make RDA stronger as we continue to grow the organization and serve the community. We are always in search of others that would like to assist the board in planning and executing activities.  Please contact me if you are interested.

I would also like to thank Martha Campbell, our past-president, for leading the RDA and being a mentor to me this past year. She is currently working hard and representing us as the new president-elect for VDA. Again, thank you for the opportunity to serve you this year and I look forward to seeing you at our conferences.

Crista Galvin-Cox, MS, RD

RDA President
 

Highlights from Martha Campbell’s submission regarding licensure:

By now, you all know we are coming up on a year when a licensure bill for Registered Dietitians will go to the Virginia General Assembly.  Licensure will legally grant us the authority to practice dietetics in the Commonwealth of Virginia. With health care reform, It will have its advantages when passed:

-Licensure defines the dietetic professionals as qualified to practice Medical Nutrition Therapy
-Licensure protects the public from harm by guaranteeing minimum qualifications
-Licensure will reduce the confusion over titles
-Licensure assures physicians their patients will receive sound nutrition advice
-Recognized by 46 other states that license dietitians
-Recognized by CMS as a ‘low risk’ provider

Both physicians and consumers need to know that the providers of MNT are legally recognized and have the appropriate education and training to offer evidence based nutrition advice.  We need licensure to be more eligible for clinical privileging, order writing and autonomy.  Licensure laws protect the public by identifying qualifications needed to practice.  They do not monopolize any business or impinge upon personal freedoms.

That means that no one outside of our profession will be put out of business because of this law.

Get to know your legislators so that they get to know you.  Go to town halls, picnics.  Contact Elaine Smith, RDA's legislative rep. (DLR) at essmithrd@hotmail.com if you are not sure what to do or say and watch for the RDA and VDA updates and webinars.