Do you know a RD who has demonstrated outstanding leadership qualities and performance in one of these areas: clinical dietetics, community outreach, legislation, management,public relations, or research?

If so, please read on for more information and click here to download the nomination form… The Nominations Committee is seeking qualified candidates for the following

GDA Affiliate Awards:

• Recognized Young Dietitian
• Outstanding Dietetic Student
• Outstanding Dietitian
• Emerging Dietetic Leader

Distinguished Service Awards:

To acknowledge those who make significant contributions to one of the following areas:
• Distinguished Service to GDA
• Distinguished Service to GADA
• Distinguished Service by a Legislator
• Distinguished Service, Researcher
• Distinguished Service in the Media
• Distinguished Service to a Grassroots Effort
• Special Recognition Award
• Outstanding Educator Award

GDA Affiliate Awards:

Recognized Young Dietitian

Purpose: To recognize the competence and activities of younger dietitians in the American Dietetic Association and to encourage their continued participation in Association affairs. This group will be an additional resource from which the leadership of the Association will develop at the district, state, and local levels.

Criteria:

• Must be 35 years of age or younger and demonstrate leadership qualities and performance in legislation, research, public relations, education, community outreach, management and other areas related to the profession.
• They must not have been previously selected as Recognized Young Dietitian of the Year.
• In addition to active participation and leadership in the organization, the award winner must have shown concern for promoting optimal health and nutritional status of the population.

Outstanding Dietetic Student

Purpose: To recognize the emerging leadership and achievement of students in approved and accredited dietetics education programs and encourage their participation in the American Dietetic Association. One student from each of the education programs* may be selected per state.

Criteria: GDA members, but especially university faculty and preceptors who have worked with a student, may nominate students for this award.

• The students must be ADA members by January 1 of the year in which they receive the award and be enrolled in an approved program.
• They must have demonstrated academic achievement, leadership and professional potential.
  
  *Limit Outstanding Dietetic Student awards to four - we can nominate one per program type(see listed below):
  Coordinated Program in Dietetics - CPD
  Dietetic Internship - DI
  Didactic Program in Dietetics - DPD
  Dietetic Technician Program - DTP

Outstanding Dietitian

Purpose: To recognize the outstanding contributions of one member above all others. This is the highest honor a state can pay to one of its members.

Criteria: The criteria for Outstanding Dietitian of the Year are set at the state level.

• In Georgia this individual must be a member of ADA,
• An active member of GDA and have made an outstanding contribution in one or more of the following areas:
  a) distinguished service to GDA
  b) recruitment of people into the profession, including increasing public awareness and visibility of registered dietitians and GDA or ADA
  c) furthering the profession by having published scientific research or by interpreting nutrition information or information about the profession through the mass media.

Emerging Dietetic Leader

Purpose: To recognize the competence and activities of dietitians, regardless of their age, who have made distinctive contributions early in their careers to the American Dietetic Assoc.

Criteria:

• Member of ADA; active on the national, state of district level for at least 5 years;
• The person must be between 5 and 10 years in their professional career.
• This person shall not have been selected previously for Recognized Young Dietitian of the Year or Recognized Dietetic Technician of the Year.
• Shall have demonstrated leadership in the association, community or employment, and concern for the promotion of optimal health and nutritional status of the population.

GDA Distinguished Service Awards:

Which acknowledge those who make significant contributions to one of the following areas:

Distinguished Service to GDA

Purpose: To encourage member participation in the Association.

Criteria: The award is based on the activities for the previous two years.

• Only activities/accomplishments, which have significantly contributed to GDA, will be considered.
• The nominee may not have received the award in the past 5 years.
• A GDA Board Member must submit a letter of recommendation.

Distinguished Service to GADA

Purpose: To recognize a member for dedicated and distinguished service to a district association.

Criteria:

• The award is based on the activities for the previous two years.
• Only activities/accomplishments, which have significantly contributed to GADA, will be considered.
• The nominee may not have received the award in the past 5 years.
• A GADA Board Member must submit a letter of recommendation. Up to 2 winners per year

Distinguished Service by a Legislator

Purpose: To recognize an elected official who has been consistently supportive of the GDA Legislative Platform, nutrition related issues, and health related issues.

Criteria:

• The nominee is a member of the state House of Representatives, State Senate, Governor, or other state-elected official.
• The nominee supports the current GDA Legislative Platform as demonstrated by his/her voting history.
• The nominee supports the provision of nutritional care by qualified registered dietitians and licensed dietitians.
• The nominee supports improvement of health and reduction of nutritional risk of Georgia citizens.
• The nominee may not have received the award in the past 4 years. (One term for governors, two terms for others.)
• To be reviewed by Government Affairs as well

Distinguished Service, Researcher

Purpose: To recognize a dietetics professional for their dedication to the dietetics profession through past, current, or on-going research related to food and nutrition.

Criteria:

• To be reviewed by CPI as well.
• Letter stating significance and impact of the work, covering items listed above.
• A curriculum vitae (CV) or resume of the nominee.
• If available, a copy of the researcher’s latest published research and mention of journal(s) submitted to or published in.

Distinguished Service in the Media

Purpose: The GDA Media Excellence Award will be given for consistent nutrition reporting which covers current issues and concerns important to the citizens of Georgia; is scientifically accurate; regularly and reliably quotes/positions dietetic professionals of the Georgia Dietetic Association as the experts; offers balance and perspective; and is creative in presentation.  Criteria follow:

Criteria:

• Letter stating significance and impact of the work, covering items listed above. A curriculum vitae (CV) or resume of the nominee.
• If available, samples of the nominee’s work such as print materials, audio, and/or videotapes.
• Each sample must be labeled with information on date of use of publication.

Distinguished Service to a Grassroots Effort

Purpose: To recognize a member for a grassroots effort at the local level.

Criteria: Letter stating significance and impact of work.

Special Recognition Award

Purpose: Special recognition is given to retiring GDA members.

Criteria: Over the age of 55 and who have been members of GDA a minimum of ten years.

Awards are open to GDA members and nonmembers; e.g. media/ reporters, members of Congress, etc.  If you are interested in nominating someone, please contact Cathy McCarroll, Nominations Chair, at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Outstanding Educator Award

Purpose: The Outstanding Dietetic Educator Award recognizes the teaching, mentoring, and leadership activities of faculty and preceptors in CADE-accredited and approved dietetic education programs (Dietetic Internship, Coordinated Program in Dietetics, Didactic Program in Dietetics, and Dietetic Technician Program).

Criteria: One educator will be selected from each program in each geographical area (we are in Area 3; there are 7 geographical areas).