AZAND Scholarships and Awards

Outstanding Dietitian of the Year:

Angela Gomez, RDN, SNS

Emerging Dietetic Leader Award:

Tara Lovinger, MS, RD

Southern District Recognized Young Dietitian of the Year:

Kelli Richardson, RDN

Southwest District Recognized Young Dietitian of the Year:

Morgan Robbins, RDN

Recognized Nutrition and Dietetics Technician of the Year:

Ashlee Sneddon, DTR

Outstanding Dietetic Student Award – Didactic Program in Dietetics:

Lilly McNair, U of A Yuma

Outstanding Dietetic Student Award – Dietetic Technician Program:

Tisha Castillo, MCHWC, Central AZ College

Outstanding Dietetic Student Award – Dietetic Internship Program:

Megan Lynn, Dietetic intern at U of A FEM program

Congratulations to our 2022 AZAND Scholarship Recipients!

 Susan Grogan Memorial Scholarship recipient:

Barbara Ann Heerkens

Morissa White Miller Memorial Scholarship recipient:

Mary Ahern

Southern District Recognized Young Dietitian of the Year:

Carmen A. Young, MFN, RDN, CSSD

Outstanding Contributions to Goals of AZAND Award:

Michelle Berman, MS, RDN, CDE, FAND

Recognized Nutrition and Dietetics Technician of the Year:

Christopher Mills, MPH, DTR, CSCS

Outstanding Dietetic Student Award – Didactic Program in Dietetics:

Yvette Robles

Outstanding Dietitian of the Year:

Christine Carlson, MS, RD, CDCES, FAND

Outstanding Dietitian of the Year:

Susan Lombardi, MS, RD, CNSC

Clinical Dietitian

Sodexo at Yuma Regional Medical Center

Yuma, AZ

Recognized Young Dietitians of the Year (RYDY):

Erika Barrera, RDN

Central AZ District

The Nutrition Professionals

Mesa, AZ

Martha Huizar, MS, RDN, CLC, CCHC

Southern AZ District

Adjunct Clinical Instructor

University of Illinois at Chicago

Tucson, AZ

Jacquelin Loizzo, RD

Southwest AZ District

Clinical Dietitian

Sodexo at Yuma Regional Medical Center

Yuma, AZ

Outstanding Dietetic Student – Internship:

Lisa Diefenderfer, DTR

Arizona State University/Veterans Affairs Dietetic Internship

Outstanding Dietetic Student – DPD:

Adena Osuna

Arizona State University

Susan Grogan Memorial Scholarship:

Hannah Chandler

Carondelet Health Network Dietetic Internship

Tucson, AZ

Morissa White Miller Memorial Scholarship:

Karla Ortiz, MS, DTR

Maricopa County Department of Public Health Dietetic Internship

Phoenix, AZ

50 Year Member:

Carolyn O. Cox

Outstanding Dietitian of the Year:

Ronnie Mullins, MS, RDN, CSCS

 Assistant Professor of Practice

University of Arizona

Tucson, AZ

S-AZAND President 2019-2020

State Policy Representative Arizona Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics

Recognized Young Dietitians of the Year (RYDY):

Michele Sidorenkov,RDN

Central AZ District

Self-employed

Champagne & Paper Planes (Food and Travel Blog)

Scottsdale, AZ

Eliza Short, RD

Southern AZ District

Graduate Research Assistant

University of Arizona

Tucson, AZ

Recognized Nutrition and Dietetics Technician of the Year:

Tiffany Ellegard, NDTR

DTR with Nutrition Alliance

Phoenix, AZ

Outstanding Dietetic Student – Internship:

Anne L. Geissinger, MPH

Maricopa Country Department of Public Helath Internship

Outstanding Dietetic Student – DPD:

William Bresette

Arizona State University

Susan Grogan Memorial Scholarship:

Emily Danca

Banner University Medical Center internship

Tucson, AZ

Morissa White Miller Memorial Scholarship:

Jacqueline Badine

Maricopa County Department of Public Health Dietetic Internship

Phoenix, AZ

50 Year Member:

Nancy L. Meister, MPH, RDN

Outstanding Dietitian of the Year:

Susan Gaumont, MS, RDN

Nutrition Faculty, Dietetic Technology Consortium Program Director

Chandler Gilbert Community College

Chandler, AZ

Emerging Dietetic Leader:

Stephanie Paver, RD, CSO, CNSC

Integrative/Functional Registered Dietitian Nutritionist; Owner/Private Practice; Adjunct Instructor at Glendale Community College; Preceptor; C-AZAND President 2017 – 2018

Scottsdale, AZ

Recognized Young Dietitians of the Year (RYDY):

Taylor Janulewicz, RDN

Central AZ District

Clinical Dietitian

Mountan Vista Medical Center

Mesa, AZ

Ashlee Linares-Gaffer, MS, RDN

Southern AZ District

Assistant Professor of Practice & ISPP Dietetic Internship Coordinator, University of Arizona

S-AZAND President 2018 – 2019

Tucson, AZ

Recognized Nutrition and Dietetics Technician of the Year:

Dana Gardiner, LMT, NDTR

Owner, My Healing Place

Glendale, AZ

Outstanding Dietetic Student – Internship:

Loretta Knoche

University of Arizona

Outstanding Dietetic Student – DPD:

Clinton Stevens

Arizona State University

Susan Grogan Memorial Scholarship:

Kelsi Carla Wildermuth

Arizona State University

Morissa White Miller Memorial Scholarship:

Stephanie Bradshaw

University of Arizona ISPP Dietetic Internship

Outstanding Dietitian of the Year (ODY)

Beth Dorsey. Beth is the Food and Nutrition Services Director at Tucson Medical Center. With a Master’s in Business Administration, she earned her current position with only 3 years in practice. A few years ago, Tucson Medical Center underwent a re-organization and remodeling of the Food Services Department. Beth, along with her team, led these changes with great success. In 2016, Beth because the Southern Arizona Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics President. She the incoming President – Elect.

Recognized Young Dietitian of the Year (RYDY)

Central District

Sarah Martinelli. Sarah is a Nutrition Lecturer at Arizona State University. She is also the current membership co-chair of the Central Arizona Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. She has dedication and passion for the field of nutrition as shown by her innovative ideas and willingness to help. At ASU, she serves as a mentor for honor students and is the faculty advisor for Spoon University, a student-run publication about all things foods.

Recognized Young Dietitian of the Year (RYDY)

Southern District

Alicia Arino. Alicia is a Registered Dietitian at Tucson Medical Center. She has served on the board of the Southern Arizona Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics as the Membership Committee Chair for several years. Alicia demonstrated clinical excellence in several areas, including as an International Board Certified Lactation Consultant (IBCLC) and as a Certified Specialist in Gerontological Nutrition (CSG). She has served as a clinical nutrition preceptor for the Carondelet Health Network dietetic internship for over 4 years. Her colleagues hold her in high regards and have nominated her for several awards in recognition to her outstanding work mentoring interns and for her compassionate work with patients and their families.

Recognized Young Dietitian of the Year (RYDY)

Southwest District

Jason Pawloski. Jason is a Registered Dietitian at Yuma Regional Medical Center, located in Yuma, AZ. Jason is the current President – Elect in the Southwest Arizona Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. He has participated in numerous community service projects representing the RD community, as well as having a very active role in the Arizona Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics.

Outstanding Dietetic Student Awards (ODSA)

Madison Egan. Madison is a Student at the University of Arizona. Her academic record is exceptional with a 4.0 GPA while double majoring in Nutritional Sciences and Molecular & Cellular Biology. She has sought a variety of experiences to complement her academic success, including developing videos, educational materials and recipes for the UA Diabetes Prevention Program and the University of Arizona Nutrition Network. She is also actively involved in breast cancer and child diabetes prevention research for which she has done poster presentations at conferences. In case this wasn’t enough, Madison has been working under a RD to strengthen her skill set in nutrition assessment and charting. In addition, she has received many awards for her volunteerism and commitment to leadership and community service.

Emerging Dietetic Leader (EDL)

Kayle Skorupski. Kayle is a Nutrition Assistant Professor of Practice at the University of Arizona where she teaches and mentors undergraduate dietetic students as well as interns. She has demonstrated a commitment to the Dietetics Profession and has taken on leadership and mentoring roles throughout her eight-year careers as a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist. She has been active in local and state dietetic associations including, Membership Chair and Nominating Committee Member for the Southern Arizona Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. She has also served as Chair and Chair-elect of the Council on Professional Issues for the Arizona Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics.  Currently, Kayle is part of several committees at the University of Arizona. She is also pursuing a Doctorate of Science with a concentration in Health Promotion and Wellness through Rocky Mountain University. Kayle is obviously dedicated to life-long learning and excellence in her profession. She is truly a role model for other RDNs.

Recognized Nutrition and Dietetics Technician of the Year (RNDTY)

Ruth Halter. Ruth is the Patient Services Manager at Tucson Medical Centers. Ruth has a passion for promotion of health to Southern Arizona. She provides education at multiple community sponsored events, including Stroke Check and Fabulous Over 50. She also works closely with volunteers, students and interns, and provides them with meaningful activities to encourage growth and development in their nutrition careers. She has also served in the Southern Arizona Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. Ruth serves as a role model to current and future dietetic professionals and this is an opportunity to recognize her for her dedication to the profession.

Outstanding Contributions to Goals of the Arizona Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics  

Alana Mozar. Alana is the Health and Nutrition Services Director at Child-Parent Centers, Inc., a Head Start Grantee in Southern Arizona. Alana has genuine interest and compassion for the wellbeing of people.She has demonstrated commitment and passion for Arizona children, adults and families by leading advances in the Head Start meal and snack program and professional development for cooks, case managers and nutritionists. Alana started her nutrition journey in the 70s and has not stopped since then. Throughout the years, Alana has helped many students succeed in their nutrition careers by teaching in several colleges and universities in Utah and Michigan. She has also worked with the Women Infant and Children Program (WIC), county health departments, school foodservice programs, and eating disorder and cancer research organizations. She is deserving of the Outstanding Contributions to the Goals of AZAND award.

Outstanding Contributions to Goals of the Arizona Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics

Judy Rich. Judy is the President and CEO of Tucson Medical Center. Judy has assisted the Arizona Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics and all RDNs in Arizona to increase the ability to practice closer to the top of their scope. Judy has done this by supporting RDNs to ultimately have the ability to care for their patients by ordering diets. Judy’s ability to gather support through her network at the Arizona Hospital and Healthcare Association initiated the journey to ultimately pass SB1327. Judy is dedicated to improving the health of Arizona through her work with the Arizona Hospital and Healthcare Association and the Arizona Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics.

Outstanding Dietitian of the Year:

Michelle Berman, MS, RDN

Owner of The Nutrition Professionals

Phoenix, AZ

Emerging Dietetic Leader of the Year:

Patricia J. Johnson, MS, RD, SNS

Director of Nutrition Services with Dairy Council of Arizona

Phoenix, AZ

Recognized Young Dietitians of the Year (RYDY):

Elizabeth L. Graham, RD

Southern AZ District

Clinical Dietitian

Banner University Medical Center – Tucson

Tucson, AZ

Allyson Hamacher, MS, RD, CNSC

Central AZ District

Clinical Nutrition Manager

Chandler Regional Medical Center

Chandler, AZ

Outstanding Dietetics Student – Internship

Rachel Shorthouse, MPH

Dietetic Internship

Banner University Medical Center – Tucson

Outstanding Dietetics Student – DPD

Anna Gianpetro

Arizona State University

50 Year Members:

     Linda Kautz Osterkamp    

     Louise Leahy             Janet Steven    

Outstanding Dietitian of the Year:

Mike Welsch, MS, RD

Northern Arizona Hospital

Prescott, AZ

Emerging Dietetic Leader:

Shannon Smith, PhD, RD

Glendale Community College

Phoenix, Arizona

Recognized Young Dietitians of the Year (RYDY):

 Meghann Myatt, RD

Central AZ District

Clinical Dietitian

Banner Healthcare

April Waters, RD

Southern AZ District

Recognized Diet Technician, Registered of the Year:

Jen Amato, DTR

Banner Healthcare

Outstanding Dietetics Student Awards:

Rachel Cassinat, MS, RD

Dietetic Internship

Arizona State University – MS Program          

Sarah Alsing

DPD Program