Kathleen Niedert, PhD, RD, CSG, LD, FADA
Treasurer-electPOSITION | Skills/Attributes associated with the position | Examples of how I have demonstrated outcomes for each skill/attribute that qualify me for the position |
Treasurer-elect |
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My passion for dietetics remains unwavering first as a clinical dietitian, department head and now as executive director for a multilevel senior living facility with progressive leadership demands. This progression has required me to be proactive and visionary and to develop skills in facilitating productive resolution of conflict and consensus. Working with the Board of Directors of the nursing facility developed my skills in understanding board-member and staff interrelationships and has fine-tuned my presentation skills. During my years as chair of a DPG and as affiliate president, I developed meeting management and facilitation skills helping me streamline meetings. Recently I have been active in radio nutrition spots to carry our message. Being organized--family, work, and the Academy has always come easily and I anticipate this to continue should I be elected. |
Employer | Title | Years Employed |
Western Home Communities | Executive Director Parkview Manor Campus/Nutrition & Dietetic Specialist | 1999-present |
Omega Health Associates | Principle | 1987 to Present |
Leadership Position | Organization | Years Involved in the Organization | My specific leadership contributions, achievements and outcomes: | Leadership Skills used in this position: |
Director at Large--BOD | Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics | - | During my elected term, this BOD had to make fierce decisions that enabled us to balance the budget after three years of deficit spending. We were successful in holding the International Congress of Dietetics in Chicago and showcasing our Academy and the strength in leadership that registered dietitians and dietetic technicians, registered, have in the medical community in the United States. | |
Standard Language Task Force/Evidence Based Practice | Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics | - | In 2003, I was appointed to the very first Standard Language Committee within the ADA. The Committee's initial meeting was held in Ames, Iowa that summer. The charge was to complete the initial work of identifying standardized language for nutrition diagnosis and nutrition interventions. We all worked tirelessly to provide valuable assistance in developing standardized language and the content necessary to develop a uniform terminology with explicit definitions to be used by the food and nutrition professional. We worked to identify the language necessary for nutrition diagnostic statements (Problem, Etiology, and Sign/Symptoms) and nutrition interventions. In February 2005, while a member, the task force approved the release of the initial list of 62 terms, along with the description and reference worksheets to describe each term. The task force also partially completed a list of nutrition intervention codes. In 2005, I was appointed to a three-year term on the Evidence Based Practice Committee serving as chair in the last year. During my year as Chair, the Policy and Procedure for Evidence-Based Analysis Position Development was written; numerous guidelines were reviewed and approved; and the EAL Usability Test kit was developed. Even after leaving the committee, I continued my involvement in the ongoing development and use of standardized language as a contributor to the first edition of the Long Term Care Nutrition Care Process Toolkit and was a reviewer of the 2nd edition. The Long Term Care Nutrition Care Process Toolkit was a cooperative ventures of Dietetics in Health Care Communities and the EAL. This toolkit was developed as a practical application of the Nutrition Care Process and standardized language for the long term care setting. | |
President | Iowa Dietetic Association | - | Within a three year term as elect, president and then immediate past--there was always something to learn and forces to be reckoned with. During my year as president, the Board and Council developed the first 5 year strategic plan with the help of a hired consultant; the Association's By-laws were updated; and the Affiliate nominated several members for Academy awards. Our fall meeting in 2001 was financially successful and had great reviews. This term was not without some unfortunate events but they were handled with tact and professionalism by all members of the Board. I was able to get my feet wet attending my first HOD meetings and learning the ins and outs of how our Organization has evolved and the various divisions of power between the sections of the Academy--BOD, HOD, ACEND, and CDR. | |
Chair (1999-2001) | Dietetics in Health Care Communities (formerly CD-HCF) | - | This was an era of austerity money within the Academy and DPGs was tight but members of the DPG needed resources. During my tenure, new government standards for nursing home care were initiated. To educate members, I secured a large grant from Abbott that enabled then CD-HCF, now DHCC to present 8 regional workshops educating members on the new standards and requirements. I also obtained funding for a new publication, Pocket Guide for Management, by selling ads to be displayed within the publication--this had never been done previously but was approved when I was able to demonstrate that this use of advertising was no different than that being displayed at that time within the Association's Journal. | |
Commission on Dietetic Registration | Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics | - | Even though I have completed my elected term as a Commissioner representing specialty practice I have continued to be active serving on the Competency Assurance Panel currently developing the next generation PDP; Appeals Panel, and as an item writing mentor for the Advanced Practice Exam. I was honored even prior to serving on the Commission to have been chosen in 2005 as a member on the initial work group in developing the Gerontological Certificate and after 8 years I continue to serve as an item writer for program. During my actual term on the Commission, I served on the Alternative Pathway Work Group attempting to find other options for those students completing the DPD and not being matched for supervised practice. As an RD that became credentialed in 1980 using the Master's plus 6 months work experience I was delighted to be appointed and feel the outcomes from this group are truly only in the infancy stage as the ISPPs develop. The decisions made and approved by the Board of Directors will truly make a difference in many students' lives. As a member of the Board of Commissioners, funding was approved to examine alternate methods, including simulations for training practitioners. I believe this Board of Commissioners' futuristic thinking along with those of ACEND in innovations such as these will develop practitioners with stronger backgrounds in actual practice scenarios. I continue to sit on the committee reviewing the RFPs for the simulation grant. |
What do you see as opportunities for the future of the nutrition and dietetics profession?
Campaign Statement
I believe in the Academy; its mission and vision and will be a tireless advocate for our members to help make our profession strong, recognized, and respected.