The ADA House of Delegates is currently considering several issues that will have an impact on the profession.  These are:

1.  What can members do to position themselves as indispensable providers of food and nutrition services and strengthen the image of the profession of dietetics?

Although ADA staff promotes the profession through the media, there is still concern that consumers and health care professionals may not be aware of the role of RDs and DTRs as the food and nutrition experts.  Discussion should help to identify “the image of dietetics” that we are trying to convey to the public.

2.  What is needed for ADA members to participate more effectively in all aspects of public policy at the federal, state, and local levels?

Approximately 5% of ADA members invest their time and efforts to improve the profession through advocacy and public policy.  ADA wants to know what is happening in each district and how ADA’s grassroots program for advocacy is being used.  For more information visit www.eatright.org  and click on Advocacy and the Profession.

3.  What progress is being made toward full implementation of the Nutrition Care Process in all areas of practice?

For more information visit www.eatright.org and click on Practice in the left column.  Then click on Nutrition Care Process and Model Resources.

4. What is the future vision of dietetics practice and how does dietetics education need to change to prepare future practitioners?

For more information about the Dietetic Education Task Force visit
www.eatright.org?cps/rde/xchg/ada/hs.xsl/home_10250_ENU_HTML.htm

Please share your comments on any of these issues with the current NMDA Delegate.