The DASH Difference: Relevant, Timely, Sustainable, A Physician & Dietitian’s Perspective

This product is free for SCAN members.

This webinar was presented live on January 12, 2021.

There is no shortage of expert advice on diet and health that stems from untrustworthy claims these days. The science behind the claims has become a trending topic even in lay circles. The Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension (DASH) Diet found its roots in randomized clinical trials, the gold standard of scientific research. Join SCAN member, Cindy Kleckner, and Dallas cardiologist, Sarah Samaan to trace the game changing evolution of the DASH Diet Landmark Trials and a 24-year overview of follow-up studies. They will examine the prevalence of high blood pressure in diverse populations and review data from the coronavirus outbreak that suggests patients with high blood pressure are even more susceptible to Covid-19, more likely to develop severe symptoms and more likely to die if they are in advanced years. Many factors contribute to the chronic problem but it is a fact that education can play a role. Our speakers will examine the principles of the DASH Diet as a dietary prescription for healthy lifestyle with practical methods to help clients implement the program whether they interested in prevention, have high blood pressure, diabetes or other chronic condition.

CPEU: 1

Learning Objectives

1. Trace the evolution of the guidelines and practice standards of the DASH Diet using evidence-based recommendations
2. Review the landmark Clinical Trials and follow-up studies
3. Examine the principles of the DASH Diet as a dietary prescription for healthy lifestyle
4. Review dietary challenges that present unintended consequences relating to hypertension consequences
5. Illustrate practical strategies to implement the DASH Diet

Speakers

Cindy Kleckner, RDN, LD, FAND

An award-winning registered dietitian nutritionist and culinary expert in the Dallas area, Cindy inspires clients to enjoy optimal health and experience more life balance. She is an adjunct professor at the Collin College Preston Ridge Campus in the Institute for Hospitality and Culinary Education. As a consultant in corporate health and wellness, Cindy works with numerous companies and organizations including the Cooper Aerobics Center Dallas, the Apex Centre of McKinney, Sea Breeze Fish Market and Grill, City of Allen, IRMI, Enterhealth Ranch, Texas Home Health, Craig Ranch Fitness & Spa, Cooper Fitness Center at Craig Ranch, Christus Health, National Medical Association, Collin County Government, City of Plano, Mary Kay Corporation, the Dallas Cowboys, Cigna On-site Health and Frito Lay to name a few. Her work includes speaking at professional conferences, consumer events and corporate wellness seminars, media appearances on various health topics and food demonstrations. She is also involved in writing and recipe development. She is on the Health and Wellness Advisory Council for DairyMAX offering solutions to current and future health challenges.

A specialist in culinary nutrition, cardiovascular, corporate wellness, and weight management, Cindy received a Bachelor of Science degree from Indiana University of Pennsylvania and completed her dietetic internship at Texas Health Resources (formerly Presbyterian Hospital of Dallas). She began her career as a clinical dietitian. Her strength is in her ability to help make nutrition come alive using food and culinary skills.

She is a distinguished Fellow of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, a former President of the Dallas Academy and a Media Spokesperson for the Texas Academy. She was the recipient of the 2018 Texas Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics Outstanding Nutrition Education Award. In 2017 Cindy was honored by the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics Foundation with the Anita Owen Award of Recognition for Innovative Nutrition Education Programs for the Public. Cindy continues to be very active in her profession in many specialty groups, including Food and Culinary Professionals, Nutrition Entrepreneurs, Dietitians in Business and Communications and Sports, Cardiovascular and Wellness Nutrition Dietetic Practice Groups.

Additional accomplishments include authorship and recipe development for the DASH Diet for Dummies 2nd edition, 2020 DASH Diet For Dummies, 2014 Hypertension Cookbook for Dummies, 2011 the Gluten Free Cooking for Dummies second edition and What’s Cooking at the Cooper Clinic and the soon to be published DairyMAX Cookbook. She also contributed nutrition chapters for Dr. Kenneth H. Cooper’s, Overcoming Hypertension, Preventing Osteoporosis, and The New Aerobics for Women.”

Cindy works individually with clients as a nutrition coach and in groups through her high energy presentations and culinary programs to educate, inspire and entertain. She offers the perfect blend of practical ideas and humor. Her interactive classes help translate the science of nutrition into practical solutions for busy people to help motivate positive behavior change. In her role as a sought-after culinary nutritionist, Cindy inspires passion and enthusiasm for nutrition by showing how taste and flavor can easily co-exist with healthful meal preparation.

Cindy is active and plays competitive tennis with Tennis Competitors of Dallas, practices yoga, and enjoys gourmet cooking and domestic and international travel.

Sarah Samaan, MD, FACC, FACP, FASE

A Vanderbilt-trained physician, Dr. Samaan has been practicing cardiology in the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex since 1995. She is a Physician Partner at the Baylor Heart Hospital in Plano, Texas, where she has served as the Co-Director of the Women’s Cardiovascular Institute and practices at Legacy Heart Center. Dr. Samaan is board certified in Cardiology, Echocardiography, and Nuclear Cardiology.

Dr. Samaan has been named as a “Texas Super Doctor” by Texas Monthly magazine yearly since 2006.

Dr. Samaan co-authored The DASH Diet for Dummies with Cindy Kleckner, RD and Rosanne Rust, RD. Dr. Samaan’s other books, including Best Practices for a Healthy Heart: How to Stop Heart Disease Before or After It Starts (The Experiment Publishing), focus on heart disease prevention for both men and women, with an emphasis on a heart-smart lifestyle. The Smart Woman’s Guide to Heart Health (Brown Books) was awarded ForeWord Magazine’s Bronze award for Women’s Issues.

A frequent speaker to patient and professional groups on lipid disorders and other cardiac-related topics such as nutrition, hypertension, and women and heart disease, Dr. Samaan has also served as a spokesperson for the American Heart Association. She is a member of the American Society of Nuclear Cardiology, American Society of Echocardiography, American College of Cardiology, and American College of Physicians.

Dr. Samaan received her Bachelor of Science degree from Texas A&M University and her MD degree from Vanderbilt University in Nashville, Tennessee. She served her residency in internal medicine at the University of California in Irvine and completed her fellowship in cardiology at the University of New Mexico in Albuquerque.

Dr. Samaan practices yoga, runs, hikes, and rides horses. She enjoys training and competing in the equestrian sport of dressage.

Opinions presented are those of Dr. Samaan and not of HealthTexas Provider Network, Baylor Health Care System, or its controlled affiliates.