Opportunities to Strengthen and Enhance Roles of RDNs in Public Health

Date: June 28
Time: noon - 1 p.m. (Central time)

When we choose our professional path, we may overlook the many opportunities for the dietetics professionals in public health. Registered Dietitians play a primary role in reducing health disparities by educating the communities and initiating behavior changes. As advocates for policy change and implementation of chronic disease prevention programs that will better serve the communities at risk of hunger and nutrition related morbidity rates, dietitians can be the change that public health and community nutrition needs. Because less registered dietitians are choosing professions in public health, more and more programs are left with a significant gap of knowledge as a subject matter expert in nutrition. Entering leadership positions in public health is methodical in addressing these gaps in knowledge and expertise that heavily influence programmatic outcomes.

CPE Level: 1
CPEU: 1
Performance Indicators: 3.3, 12.1, 12.4

Learning Objectives

• Define public health nutrition and public health nutritionist.
• Understand historical context of public health nutrition.
• Identify areas of opportunity and growth in public health nutrition.

Speaker

Beth Cordova, MPA, RDN

Beth Cordova, MPA, RDN, received both her Bachelor of Science in Dietetics and her Master of Public Administration from California State University, Long Beach. She has been employed at the PHFE WIC Program since 2002, serving as a Supervising Nutritionist, Area Manager, and currently as the Dietetic Internship Director. She is currently serves as the Scholarship Chair of the California Academy of Nutrition, Nominating Committee Member of the Public Health Community Nutrition Dietetic Practice Group, and a member of the National WIC Association's RD Recruitment and Retention Task Force. In addition, Beth is a preceptor for visiting dietetic interns, who are completing their community rotation at PHFE WIC. Beth considers it an honor and a privilege to serve future dietetic professionals.