Laing named a national media spokesperson for Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics

Emma Laing, a faculty member in the UGA College of Family and Consumer Sciences department of nutritional sciences, has been appointed a national media spokesperson for the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics.

Laing, a clinical professor and director of the FACS didactic program in dietetics, is one of eight registered dietitian nutritionists appointed to a three-year term beginning June 1. Her expertise includes mindful/intuitive eating, osteoporosis, research and review analysis and vitamin D.

The Academy is the world’s largest organization of food and nutrition professionals.

“I’m excited and honored to take on this role to represent my profession,” Laing said. “I also hope to inspire future professionals I teach to be spokespeople for causes they believe in.”

The Academy’s national volunteer spokesperson network consists of 30 registered dietitian nutritionists who conduct thousands of nutrition and healthful eating interviews with print, broadcast and online media on behalf of the academy each year.

According to an AND press release, academy spokespeople are food and nutrition experts who have fulfilled rigorous educational and practice requirements; completed a supervised practice program and passed a national examination in addition to maintaining continuing education requirements for recertification.

Spokespeople are members of the academy who have been RDNs for at least five years and are experienced communicators.

Laing previously was named a Fellow of the Academy, a designation that recognizes her commitment to the field of dietetics and celebrates her professional accomplishments and pursuit of lifelong learning.

She has been credentialed as a registered and licensed dietitian since 1998 and began directing the didactic program in dietetics in 2017. The program recently received approval to continue full accreditation through 2028 by the Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics.

Laing’s current interests include determining the efficacy of non-diet approaches to improve health and well-being. Her courses likewise challenge diet culture and incorporate the harmful effects of weight stigma on health.

She was named the college’s Bill and June Flatt Outstanding Teacher of the Year in 2021.

In addition to Laing, the following registered dietitian nutritionists have been appointed as new Academy spokespeople for 2022-2025.

• Sue-Ellen Anderson-Haynes, MS, RDN, CDCES, LDN, NASM-WFS CPT, Hopkinton, Mass., is in private practice. Her areas of expertise include diabetes, maternal and prenatal nutrition, vegetarian and vegan nutrition, weight management and women's nutrition.

• Lena Beal, MS, RDN, LD, Atlanta, is a cardiovascular dietitian at Piedmont Atlanta Hospital. Her additional areas of expertise include enteral nutrition, malnutrition, medical nutrition therapy and weight management.

• Amy Bragagnini, MS, RD, CSO, Grand Rapids, Mich., is an oncology dietitian at Mercy Health Lacks Cancer Center. Her additional areas of expertise include gastrointestinal nutrition, mindful/intuitive eating, women's nutrition and nutrition for those with kidney stones.

• Theresa Gentile, MS, RDN, CDN, Brooklyn, N.Y., is the coordinator of the home enteral nutrition program at Maimonides Medical Center. Her areas of expertise include cardiovascular nutrition, family nutrition, metabolism and weight management.

• Monique Richard, MS, RDN, LDN, FAND, IFNCP, RYT, Johnson City, Tenn., is in private practice. Her areas of expertise include behavior and lifestyle modification, functional foods and phytochemicals, integrative and functional medicine, nutrigenomics and supplements and vitamins.

• Kimberly Snodgrass, RDN, LD, Dearborn, Mich., is a renal care coordinator at Fresenius Medical Care. Her additional areas of expertise include cholesterol, high blood pressure, stress and emotional eating and weight management.

• Jessica Sylvester, MS, RD/LDN, CNSC, CDCES, Boca Raton, Fla., is in private practice. Her areas of expertise include diabetes, gastrointestinal nutrition, medical nutrition therapy, weight management and women's nutrition.

The Academy also reappointed five spokespeople for 2022-2025:

• Yasi Ansari, MS, RD, CSSD, Los Angeles, Calif.

• Jennifer Bruning, MS, RDN, LDN, Chicago, Ill.

• Amy Kimberlain, RDN, LDN, CDCES, Miami

• Caroline Passerrello, MS, RDN, LDN, Pittsburgh, Pa.

• Angel Planells, MS, RDN, CD, FAND, Seattle, Wash.

Representing more than 112,000 credentialed nutrition and dietetics practitioners, the Academy is committed to improving health and advancing the profession of dietetics through research, education and advocacy.

This article was adapted from an AND press release.