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South Carolina Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics Awards

Each year SCAND gives up to five awards to our members to show recognition for demonstrated competence, involvement in professional and community activities, and contribution through participation and commitment to the association at the district, state, and national levels.

Districts may submit one nominee per award to SCAND: Outstanding Dietitian of the Year, Emerging Dietetic Leader, Recognized Young Dietitian of the Year, Recognized Dietetic Technician of the Year, and Outstanding Dietetics Student. These nominees should be the selected award recipient at the district level. Not active in a district?  You may self-nominate. 

2024 Awardees

Outstanding Dietitian of the Year: Alexandra Lautenschläger, RDN, LD

Recognized Young Dietitian of the Year Award: Olivia Myers, RD, LD

Outstanding Dietetics Student Award: Laura Elizabeth Zarzar

Outstanding Dietetics Intern Award: Eugenia Padgett, MS

 

All nominees must:

  • Be an active member of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics and the South Carolina Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics.

  • Be credentialed as a Registered Dietitian, Diet Technician Registered, or be a Dietetic Student and be in good standing with the Commission on Dietetic Registration as applicable.

  • Have active participation in the national, state, or district association.

Eligible nominees from the previous year who did not receive the SCAND award may be re-nominated for the same award or a different award during the subsequent year (this could mean that a district might have two people submitted for an award if they submit the current year winner and someone from the previous year). For those who are re-nominated, their original reference letters from the previous year, within a one-year time frame, may be resubmitted during the subsequent year of nomination. Those re-nominated within a time frame exceeding one year will need to submit updated letters of reference. 

All nominations are due by January 20, 2025.  

Instructions for submitting nominees to SCAND

  • Send district nominations to the district nominating or awards chair.
  • Self-nominees send to the SCAND Scholarship and Awards Chair,  Rachel Werkheiser at [email protected]
  • At the state level, we will be using an online survey tool.
  • Please find a brief description of each award below. For more detail, access the eligibility checklist via the link below each award description. This checklist is for those members nominating individuals as well as for the district nominating chair to verify that nominees meet criteria before submission to the state level.
  • Once eligibility is verified, one district nominee for each award (with the exception of up to three students from a DPD program) can be submitted via email to the SCAND Scholarship and Awards Chair, Rachel Werkheiser at [email protected].
  • District nominating chairs will then be sent additional instructions to complete the submission process.
  • Please note that reference letters must be converted to PDF and electronically signed. 

Outstanding Dietitian of the Year (ODY)

The award recipient will be an individual with at least 5 years experience in SC who has demonstrated outstanding leadership in the profession and has a concern for the promotion of optimal health and nutritional status of the population. 

The recipient may also have demonstrated leadership at the regional or national level with the Academy or Dietetic Practice Groups as well as through the community, public relations, or employment.

Checklist

Recognized Young Dietitian of the Year (RYDY)

The award recipient will be an individual age 35 years or younger on May 1 of the award year who has not previously been selected as an RYDY. 

The recipient will have demonstrated concern for the promotion of optimal health and nutritional status of the population and must have demonstrated leadership through legislation, research, education, management, or employment.

Checklist

Recognized Diet Technician Registered of the Year (RDTY)

The award recipient will be an individual that is active in the Academy, has demonstrated concern for the promotion of optimal health and nutritional status of the population, and has demonstrated leadership through the Academy, community, or employment.

Checklist

Emerging Dietetic Leader (EDL)

The award recipient will be an individual with not less than 5 years and not greater than 10 years practice experience. They will have active participation in the national, state, or district association for at least 5 years and have not previously been selected as an RYDY or RDTY.

The recipient will have demonstrated concern for the promotion of optimal health and nutritional status of the population and leadership through legislation, research, education, management, community nutrition or employment.

Checklist

Outstanding Dietetics Student (ODSA)

The award recipient will be a student who is a member of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics by January 1st of the year in which they would receive the award. They must be enrolled in a ACEND-accredited dietetics education program in South Carolina.

The award recipient will have demonstrated academic achievement as documented by letters from program faculty or preceptors. They will have demonstrated leadership and professional potential through honors, student dietetic association activities, community service activities, etc.

No more than three student nominees per DPD program and one student per DI program will be accepted for the Outstanding Dietetic Student Award. Students receiving district awards would count toward this total.

Checklist

Additional awards offered through the Academy that may be applicable to South Carolina registered dietitians and dietetic technicians, registered:

Outstanding Preceptor Award

  • This award is administered by the Nutrition and Dietetic Educators and Preceptors (NDEP) committee and recognizes exceptional teaching, mentoring, and leadership activities of preceptors in ACEND-accredited dietetics education programs. This award is open to registered dietitians and dietetic technicians, registered.
  • Learn about Outstanding Preceptor Award eligibility, submission, and selection procedures.

Outstanding Dietetics Educator Award

  • The purpose of the Outstanding Dietetics Educator Award is to recognize the teaching, mentoring, and leadership activities of faculty in ACEND-accredited dietetics education programs. Note: Preceptors are not eligible for this award as there is a separate award given to Outstanding Preceptors (see above).
  • Learn about Outstanding Dietetics Educator Award eligibility, submission, and selection procedures.

 

SCAND FINANCIAL AWARDS

Burris Cromer Award

Applications due: January 20, 2025

This award provides financial assistance to one or more dietetic students who are members of the AND and SCAND by November 1st of the application year and are enrolled in an accredited DPD or DI program in South Carolina. They must be completing requirements this academic year. Additionally, student recipients must demonstrate academic achievement, leadership, and professional potential. The individual award will be based on the number of qualified applicants. Each award given will be a minimum of $300.

Checklist Link
Application Link

Completed packets should be emailed to Rachel Werkheiser at [email protected].

Julia Brunson Award

Year-Round Applications Accepted

This award provides financial assistance to dietitians, who are current members of SCAND, for continuing education or academic credit. Preference will be given to board members of SCAND or SCAND members who have demonstrated either past leadership or future leadership potential. Awards will be allotted as follows, pending availability of funds: one award for attending FNCE, one award for attending the PPW, and one award for attending the SCAND Annual Meeting.

Application Link

Completed packets should be emailed to Rachel Werkheiser at [email protected].