Distinguished Dietitian (1984-2020)
NYSAND initiated the Distinguished Dietitian Award began in 1984 to recognize those members that did not fit in the category of Recognized Young Dietitian of the Year but had contributed a great deal to the association. The Academy followed in 1987 to encourage all affiliates to offer an Outstanding Dietitian Award. Each state affiliate may have their distinct name for the award, but each affiliate’s awardee is listed in JAND announcement under the title of Outstanding Dietitian Award.
| Year | NYSAND Distinguished Dietitian Recipient |
| 1984 | Nancy DeMuth Ruhle |
| 1985 | Ruth Kocher |
| 1986 | Elizabeth Casey |
| 1987 | Alyette Schizas |
| 1988 | Margaret Simpson |
| 1989 | Janice Kelley |
| 1990 | Ruth Harmon |
| 1991 | Jean Borgia |
| 1992 | Judith Gilbride |
| 1993 | Susan Braverman |
| 1994 | Kathleen McClusky |
| 1995 | Marie L. Oakleaf |
| 1996 | Dorothy C. Humm |
| 1997 | Anne Kendal |
| 1998 | Jacqueline N. Smith |
| 1999 | Deborah Segall |
| 2000 | Lois Chait |
| 2001 | Kathleen J. McArdle |
| 2002 | Linda Horace |
| 2004 | Eden Kalman |
| 2005 | John A. Krakowski |
| 2006 | Roberta W. Gershner |
| 2007 | Virginia Vorhis |
| 2008 | Sandra J. McNeil |
| 2009 | Constance Brown-Riggs |
| 2010 | Linda J. Quinn |
| 2011 | Helene Messner |
| 2012 | Ann Darcy |
| 2013 | Linda M. Mocny |
| 2014 | Susan Figaro Grace |
| 2015 | Lisa B. Stollman |
| 2016 | Dorothy Wrase Hares |
| 2017 | Susan Branning |
| 2018 | Diana Monaco |
| 2020 | Maria Mahar |
Emerging Dietetic Leader (1996-2018)
The Emerging Dietetic Leader Award began in 1996. The intent of this award is to recognize the competence and activities of members, regardless of their age, who are at the beginning of their dietetics careers. NYSAND may award one member each year the Emerging Dietetics Leader Award.
The list of Emerging Dietetic Leader winners for the year is published in a fall issue of the Journal of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. Our list was verified by reviewing the JADA/JAND, however, if you determine that there is an error, please contact the NYSAND Central Office, to provide updated information.
| Year | Emerging Dietetic Leader Recipient |
| 1996 | Frederick Raymond Tripp, Jr. |
| 2000 | Marlisa Brown |
| 2001 | Barbara George |
| 2004 | Fern Gale Estrow |
| 2005 | J. Elizabeth Smythe |
| 2006 | Keri M. Gans |
| 2010 | Maria Mahar |
| 2011 | Jennifer Kovalick |
| 2012 | Margaret Meehan |
| 2016 | Jessica Garay Redmond |
| 2017 | Jacqlene Hanks |
| 2018 | Michelle Nardi |
Isabelle A. Hallahan (1994-2018)
Isabelle A. Hallahan was a leader in the profession of dietetics serving in many roles in the professional association including New York State President 1963-64, American Dietetic Association Speaker of the House of Delegates 1970-71 and President, 1972-73. She grew up in the Buffalo, NY area but her work lead her to the Long Island where she was the Director of Dining Halls at Hofstra College in Hempstead, NY as well as Director of School Lunch in the school district in Elmont, NY. In 1968, when it was noted that the Social Security legislation lacked recognition of nutrition services as a reimbursable medical service, the American Dietetic Association (ADA) recognized the need for active involvement in legislative affairs and Mrs. Hallahan accepted the first part-time position as liaison for legislation and public policy for the ADA.
With the encouragement, guidance and generosity of Isabelle A. Hallahan, the New York State Dietetic Association created the Isabelle A. Hallahan Award, which recognizes the accomplishments by a female RD/RDN (or RD/RDN eligible) with a master’s degree that is working directly in a food service management capacity.
The list of recipients that have received the Isabelle A. Hallahan award may be incomplete. If you have information that would add to this data, please contact the NYSAND Central Office and provide updated information.
| Year | Isabelle A. Hallahan Recipient |
| 1994 | Lois Chait |
| 1996 | Jacqueline DeCecco |
| 2001 | Mary Damiano |
| 2002 | Paula Pickett |
| 2004 | Barbara George |
| 2005 | Linda M. Mocny |
| 2006 | Stephanie DiBacco |
| 2008 | Lisa Neuhaus |
| 2009 | Soghra Naheed Ali-Sayeed |
| 2010 | Karen Ostrum |
| 2013 | Veronica McLymont |
| 2014 | Julie M. Tucker |
| 2015 | Ruth Sullivan |
| 2016 | Margaret Tyrrell |
| 2018 | Dawna Bennett |
Jack Bellick (2001-2020)
Jack Bellick was involved at the district and state level of the dietetic association often serving in the capacity of Treasurer, Delegate to the House and Parliamentarian. During his career as Director of Nutrition Science at the New York Department of Mental Hygiene, he served as Treasurer of the American Dietetic Association. His contributions were recognized in 1988 when he received the Academy’s Medallion Award. In 1995 his work was further recognized when he was given the Marjorie Hulszier Copher Award. It is of note that he was the first male recipient of this Academy award that was initially given in 1945.
Jack would listen to the concerns of members and then quietly encourage them to “get involved”. To support involving a student or active member that had been credentialed in the past 3 years and had consistently participated in district or state activities, he created the Jack Bellick Award. The award allows a young member to attend the Annual Meeting Event and experience the NYSAND Board of Directors and Coordinating Cabinet Meeting with their expenses covered.
The list of recipients that have received the Jack Bellick award may be incomplete. If you have information that would add to this data, please contact the NYSAND Central Office and provide updated information.
| Year | Jack Bellick Recipient |
| 2001 | JoAnn A. Cooper |
| 2002 | Cynthia Cave –Gaetani |
| 2003 | Kimberly J. Woloszyn |
| 2004 | Tara Buonanno |
| 2005 | Karen Anderson |
| 2006 | Allison Parker |
| 2007 | Robin Neal |
| 2010 | Danielle Pacella |
| 2012 | Matthew Nulty |
| 2013 | Rachel Berger |
| 2014 | Sharon Puello |
| 2015 | Rachel Stahl |
| 2016 | Emily Gorman |
| 2017 | Jennifer Assael |
| 2018 | Karishma Devjani |
| 2019 | Jade Parry |
| 2020 | Sirida Katie Subudom |
Legislative and Policy Advocacy Excellence (2001-2018)
The Legislative and Policy Advocacy Excellence award recognizes a member that has been involved in the positive promotion of the profession in public policy in the following ways:
- Involvement in the initiation of legislation
- Involvement in the initiation of legislative regulation and/or governmental policies
- Directly involved with leadership and/or advocacy of an initiative
- Encouraged other members to become actively involved in the public policy arena
The list of recipients that have received the Legislative award may be incomplete. If you have information that would add to this data, please contact the NYSAND Central Office and provide updated information.
| Year | Legislative and Policy Advocacy Excellence Recipient |
| 2001 | Colleen Kabot |
| 2002 | Beth Ann Mills |
| 2003 | Lisa Hodgson |
| 2004 | Maria Museler |
| 2007 | Edward H. Weiss |
| 2008 | Karen Ostrum |
| 2011 | Fern Gale Estrow |
| 2012 | Rita Batheja |
| 2013 | Helene T. Messner |
| 2015 | Reyna Franco |
| 2016 | Erika Hval |
| 2017 | Ann Darcy |
| 2018 | Carol DeBonte |
| 2020 | Jessica Garay |
Media Excellence (2001-2018)
The Media Excellence award recognizes a member that has been involved in the positive promotion of the profession in the media for at least three years in the following ways:
- Covers current issues and concerns of the Academy
- Provides scientifically accurate nutrition information and promotes the profession of dietetics
- Presentations are creative but also offer balance and perspective and have a broad audience appeal.
The list of recipients that have received the Media Excellence award may be incomplete. If you have information that would add to this data, please contact the NYSAND Central Office and provide updated information.
| Year | Media Excellence Recipient |
| 2001 | Linda Quinn |
| 2003 | Keith-Thomas Ayoob |
| 2004 | Bonnie Taub Dix |
| 2007 | Elisa Zied |
| 2010 | Keri M. Gans |
| 2011 | Theresa Jackson |
| 2013 | Deborah Beauvais |
| 2015 | Julie M. Raway |
| 2016 | Jaime Schwartz Cohen |
| 2017 | Alissa Rumsey |
| 2018 | Susan Weiner |
| 2020 | Patricia Salzer |
Outstanding Dietetic Student (1994-2018)
The Outstanding Dietetic Student Award began in 1994. One student for each type of dietetics education program within New York may be selected by NYSAND. Recipients of the award are recognized by the Academy with a certificate and letter signed by the president of the Academy and their name is listed in the Journal of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics.
| Year | Coordinated Program in Dietetics Recipient | Dietetic Internship Recipient | Didactic Program in Dietetics Recipient | Dietetic Technician Program Recipient |
| 1994 | Allyson Prace | Catherine Britton | Suzanna Marie Perks | |
| 1995 | Ilene V. Smith | Catherine Elizabeth Fink | Michael J. O’Brien | |
| 1996 | Nancy H. Cody | Christine M. KlingerMarlo Sinrod-Mittler | Terrence A. Black | Barbara O’Shea |
| 1997 | Patricia Sawyer | Catherine S. Mangan | ||
| 1999 | Leslie F. Folley | Rebecca Dechario | Melissa M. Mettler | |
| 2000 | Julie A. Mulder | Robin B. Colton | ||
| 2001 | Elisa D. Margolius | Katherine Streeter | Lisa A. Sweet | Doreen J. Ellis |
| 2002 | Ann-Marie W. Batz | Ann Marie Nelson | ||
| 2003 | Jamillah R.Hoy-Rosas | Alison R. Sturm | ||
| 2004 | Tony G. Jimenez | Karen J. Gonyea | Jessica L. Enright | |
| 2005 | Susan Indilicato | Tomoko Okada | Carmen D. Backstock | |
| 2006 | Petra Robinson | Colleen A. McCullough | Amy L. Vetter | |
| 2007 | Katherine E. Lysyczyn | Jenica K. Abram | Antonia C. Tritto | |
| 2008 | Rebecca L. Hassigner | Allison M. Dilzer | Jaclyn S. Mattes | |
| 2009 | Danielle N. Pacella | Matthew Nulty | Michelle Denton | Rosemarie Dias |
| 2010 | Maria Erdman | Erica Giovinazzo | Barbara Parisi | |
| 2011 | Lindsay M. Putzbach | Emily M. Caras | Courtney J. Smith | |
| 2012 | Emily C. Gorman | Mary R. Clausen | Tracey Giambertone | Barbara L. Minter Munoz Decote |
| 2013 | Kimberly Wilber | Monica Sathyamurthy | Emily Marie Harrington | |
| 2014 | Nicole Gajewski | Lina Begdache | Erin Kelly | |
| 2015 | Drew M. Hemler | Kristen L. Davis | Mary E. Briggman | Elizabeth M. Sloat |
| 2016 | Shrouk El Sayed | Kate Kane | ||
| 2017 | Xylina Ulloa | |||
| 2018 | Jennifer Bragg | Stephanie Bostic | Summer Neu | |
| 2019 | Kameron A. Rowe | Emily Kuettel | ||
| 2020 | Cassandra Goodman | Elise Harrison | Stephanie Sall |
Outstanding Dietetics Educator (1995-2015)
The Outstanding Dietetics Educator Award began in 1995.
| 1995 | Alice Beth Fornari Marcia C. Miller |
| 1996 | Priscilla Trayers Tennant |
| 1997 | Lois A. Schroeder |
| 2000 | Melodie J. Bell-Cavallino |
| 2001 | Susan Plavin Braverman Kay Stearns BrueningKatherine L. Krais |
| 2002 | Mary Platek Edward Weiss |
| 2004 | Tanya M. Horacek |
| 2007 | Tina Colaizza-Anas |
| 2008 | Sharron Dalton |
| 2009 | Susan E. Travis |
| 2010 | Elizabeth Kmincinski Lisa Sasson |
| 2011 | Jennifer Bueche Arlene Spark |
| 2012 | Charlotte Baumgart Kathleen M. Border L. Beth Dixon Jennifer L. Wilkins |
| 2013 | Emily Wilcox Gier Elaine Rosenthal Megan Whelan |
| 2014 | Debra Connolly Khursheed P. Navder |
| 2015 | Luz E. Valencia-Penagos |
Recognized Diet Technician of the Year (1985-2017)
The Recognized Diet Technician of the Year Award (RDTY) began in 1985 with the purpose to recognize the professional contributions of dietetic technicians in the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics (Academy) and to encourage their continued participation in Academy affairs. Each affiliate is allowed to select one recipient each year. Affiliates may choose to not participate in the award program. It is of note that from 2004-2016, there were no nominations received for this award by the NYSAND Awards Committee.
The list of RDTY winners for the year is published in a fall issue of the Journal of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics.
Our list was verified by reviewing the JADA/JAND, however, if you determine that there is an error, please contact the NYSAND Central Office, to provide updated information.
| Year | Recognized Diet Technician Recipient |
| 1985 | Susan DeFilippo |
| 1986 | Pamela Grace Smith |
| 1987 | Colleen Mary Sullivan |
| 1988 | June McCarthy |
| 1989 | Linda A. Graham |
| 1990 | Donna Marie Stannard |
| 1991 | Lela Poindexter |
| 1992 | Patricia Ann Chrisamore |
| 1993 | Anne B. Gennings |
| 1994 | Judith F. Herlihy |
| 1995 | Sandra D. Heilig |
| 1996 | Michelle Lee Tovcimak |
| 1997 | Julie Stavros |
| 1998 | Josephine May Henderson |
| 1999 | Sheryl Kay Updike |
| 2000 | Patricia Gilpatric |
| 2001 | Pam D. Podenak |
| 2002 | Joseph Aliano, Jr. |
| 2003 | Kevin Deptola |
| 2017 | Mary McCabe |
Recognized Young Dietitian of the Year (1976-2018)
The Recognized Young Dietitian Award (RYDY) began in 1976 with the purpose to recognize the competence and activities of young dietitians in the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics (Academy) and to encourage their continued participation in Academy affairs. The groups will be an additional resource from which the leadership of the Academy will develop – at the district, state and national levels. The maximum number of RYDYs per year is based on the number of districts in a state affiliate. Thus NYSAND may choose ten RYDY awardees each year, one from each district, but may not have more than one in a district.
The list of RYDY winners for the year is published in a fall issue of the Journal of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics.
Our list was verified by reviewing the JADA/JAND, however, if you determine that there is an error, please contact the NYSAND Central Office, to provide updated information.
| Year | Recognized Young Dietitian Recipients | |
| 1976 | Martha T. Conklin Patricia Mary Episcopia Aricha T. Harker | Patricia H. Joynt Jane A. Mitchell |
| 1977 | Clarice Jean Marseglia Mary Louise Schmidt Patricia Mae Severson | Many Kay Skodouk Marcia Ann Ward |
| 1978 | Bruce John Brennan Lucinda Sue Bruce Linda Marie Mocny | Gordan Richard Obermann Janet Alice Oberdorf Deborah Segall-Doviak |
| 1979 | Joanne D. Bureau Kristine D’Angelo David Jacqueline F. DeCecco | Michele Fairchild Cynthia Sue Lanciault Cathy L. Schaffer |
| 1980 | Barbara Jean Bruce Carol Bertha Chinnon Lorraine Pettimarie Deyo | Lois Helen Fiskin Eden Kalman Toby Lynn Miller |
| 1981 | Rose Marie Holmes Cindy Ruth Kaufman Renee Lina Meredith | Judith E. Morgan Mary Corning Schumaci Mattie Varvado |
| 1982 | Genevieve C. Chung Donna Marcy Handzel Kathleen Mary Hausner | Lynne Marie Oudekerk Barbara Joyce Visocan |
| 1983 | Margo Alexander Wendy Demark-Wahnefried Deborah Gail Faul | Barbara Burke Saintomas Elizabeth M. Schwartz Frank D. Wojtylak |
| 1984 | Katherine Mae Brieger Geraldine MacNeela Jaffe Loretta A. Johnson Gail A. Levy | Lester Y. Rosenzweig Joyce Ellen Smith Judith Moss Stern |
| 1985 | Susan Durkin-Speer Linda Mae Arpino Levine Paula Marie Mydlenski Vivian J. Papa | Donald Jay Shulman Bonnie Taub-Dix Beth S. Torin Riva Touger-Decker |
| 1986 | Rosanna Enza Baicich Katherine Cappuccio Patricia Frances Hunt Denise Lowery Hotaling | Barbara Lynn Isaacs Suzanne McNulty Nancy-Ann Padrone Mindy G. Hermann-Zaidins |
| 1987 | Melodie Jeanne Bell Julie Caroline Conner Elaine Marie Eakins Karen Ellen McCardle-McMahon | Patricia J. O’Keefe Peggo O’Sullivan Claudia R. Sick Mary Elizabeth Weber |
| 1988 | Patricia Case Clement Leen Ann Coloa Laura W. Conway Annette Eleanore Holleger | Carolyn Irwin Patricia Marie Myslinski Nancy Shuler Beth Ann Williams |
| 1989 | Jennie Ann Chmielewski Suzanne Marie Eckler Maura Harrigna Gonzalez Melinda J. Monaghan | Linda Jean Quinn Karen S. Reznik Jeanne F. Cartwright Stracuzzi Joyce Lindower Wolitzer |
| 1990 | Karen Korsan Collins Vivian H. Crisman Caroline Marie Gargiulo John A. Krakowski | Mary Jo V. Parker Maria Sara Petviello-DeNicola Diana Ehle Pietrocarlo Catherine Helen Powers |
| 1991 | Patricia E. Balcom Mona Sue Boyd Maureen S. Fauler | Melody Daphne Fest Leonard Fredrick Marquart Mary Karen McMahon-Noonan |
| 1992 | Erin McSweeney Bettinger Johanna Marie Ennist Theresa George Theresa Kolor | Wanda Marie Koszewski Vicky Lynn O’Neil Ann Patricia Tighe |
| 1993 | Nancy Marie Copperman Marcella Barbour Fiacco Michelle P. Gallant Maria E. Hass | Brenda Lyn LiPoma Daria Polanchik Pamela Bailey Sullivan |
| 1994 | Donna L’Ecuyer Acox Rose Cicone-Baron Shelly Anne DeHaan Joan Beverly Hoppe | Howard Merzel Beth S. McKinney Joyce Marcley Nelson Roberta Shea |
| 1995 | Josephine Connelly-Schoonen Iris Cruz-Jute Barbara Jean Morgan Marie Nichols | Theresa Marie Shepherd Cynthia K. Weis Sharon Ann Zalemski |
| 1996 | Joyce Julia Bagyl Elizabeth Kathryn Bonis Paula Franzese Colleen Mary Kabot | Virginia Lynn Lyons Lousie Schmitz Jennifer W. Turnbull |
| 1997 | Robyn A. Cotler Melissa Ann Dabbiero Tracy Marie Gordner Eileen Mary Griffin | Katherine L. Kruse Kenneth Vincent Massie Mary C. McDonald |
| 1998 | Denise Marie Feeley Emily Wilcox Gier Kendra Evans Kenney Zari Beth Kolodny | Andrea Dale Platzman Grace Ann Ricci Sharon Ellen Ruderman |
| 1999 | Shannan E. Carter Joan L. Entwistle | Erica Kristin Gladwell Theresa M. Murphy |
| 2000 | Susan M. Branning Christopher S. Esola Kathleen M. Fugione Beth R. Krause | Alan W. Lee Kelly L. McIntyre Laura M. Spanbauer |
| 2001 | Pamella Darby Stephanie Dibacco Belinda Jackson | Cindy Milner Krista Zanetti |
| 2002 | Jodi Denton Land Bonnie Taylor | Heather Belding-Wilson Lisa M. Zwillig |
| 2003 | Aimee Baer-Mattiolo Pamela Beamer | Jennifer R. Eliasi Kyle Shadix |
| 2004 | Cynthia Cave-Gaetani Theresa Geldard | Christine Klinger Gerstle Lisa Kingery |
| 2005 | Mary Beth Griffin Candi Possinger Donald Milton Stokes | Patricia Szeliga Lisa A. Yarrah |
| 2006 | Elizabeth R. Gartlan | Shayne Small |
| 2007 | Jennifer Ignacio | Amy Marlow |
| 2008 | Thomas Cimo Molly Morgan | Dominique Symonette Susan Wernimont |
| 2009 | Melissa B. Buczek Theresa Jackson | Courtney M. Santagata |
| 2010 | Jennifer Burris Melissa Pflugh | Megan Whelan |
| 2011 | Michelle Easterly Tomoko Okado | Julie Tucker |
| 2012 | Sarah R. Daubman Elysa Dinzes Christine Foy | Marie Keogh Amy Menzie |
| 2013 | Amy Miller Kathryn M. Szklany | Danielle M. Wright Tsun-Min Wu |
| 2014 | Julie M. Leonard Annmarie Ng | Matthew R. Nulty Danielle Stegman |
| 2015 | Erin M. Burch Julie Douglass | Despina A. Hyde Ashely Voyles |
| 2016 | Jenna Divicenzo Lauren Nickerson | Rachel Stahl Elizabeth Sweeny |
| 2017 | Jennifer Garner Drew Hemler Amy Merwarth | Alexandra Nicolette Renee Ortolani Kellie de Lacy |
| 2018 | Jennifer Carland Erika Hval | Nolan B. Reese |
| 2019 | Emily Kratz Joanna Li | Kimberly Philbin-Andreacchio Jane Calvert |
| 2020 | Erin Green Heather Kelleher | |
Ruth Harmon Memorial (2001-2014)
Ruth Harmon, RD, was a public policy leader for the New York affiliate. She traveled to districts throughout New York to review the details of public policy initiatives that were important to the work of dietitians in the New York Legislature as well as the US Congress. Through her leadership and generosity the New York affiliate created the Ruth Harmon Memorial Award. This award was given to a dietetic student leader to learn more about public policy by supporting their attendance at the Academy’s annual Public Policy Workshop (PPW) held in Washington D.C. NYSAND was able to give this award twelve times from 2001-2014 award.
The list of recipients that have received the Ruth Harmon Memorial Award may be incomplete. If you have information that would add to this data, please contact the NYSAND Central Office and provide updated information.
| Year | Ruth Harmon Memorial Recipient |
| 2001 | Kimberly Woloszyn |
| 2002 | Emily Adams |
| 2003 | Cheryl Brown |
| 2004 | Vera H. Branson |
| 2005 | Kristen Thurmond |
| 2006 | Leigh Kusovitsky |
| 2007 | Sarah Cruz |
| 2008 | Mark Izhak |
| 2011 | Kelly Moltzen |
| 2012 | Carly Gilfoil |
| 2013 | Brittney Patera |
| 2014 | Elizabeth Carnes |