Practice Applications
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Sharing Our Time, Energy, and Expertise

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Transformational Experiences

Lauri Wright, PhD, RDN, LD, chair of the department of nutrition and dietetics and director of the doctorate in clinical nutrition program at the University of North Florida, volunteers locally and internationally. “For Feeding America, I have done everything from sorting food to teaching nutrition education classes for clients and providers. For Meals on Wheels, I have delivered meals, analyzed menus, and helped them start a produce program.”

In addition, Wright has volunteered in the Dominican

Improve and Enhance Lives

Jil Feldhausen, MS, RDN, of Tucson, AZ, is the clinical dietitian for a concierge medical practice. She volunteers as a member of several boards, including Imago Dei Middle School—a private institution that enrolls only children from low-income families.

“My professional opportunities have always been in pediatrics and underserved populations,” Feldhausen says. “I had the chance to see situations of great need early in my roles in family medicine, failure to thrive clinics, and child abuse

Needed Expertise

Laura McNally Nelson, MPH, RD, FADA, FAND, has volunteered for most of her life but spent the past decade volunteering full-time since her retirement from the federal government. Her service includes senior positions—among them president—of Women for Women, an organization dedicated to improving the lives of women and girls in Pitt County, North Carolina. “These experiences have provided the expertise that is often much needed in our communities,” Nelson says. “These experiences have also made

A World of Difference

“I know that I am a better dietitian and a better citizen as a result of volunteering,” Wright says. “I hope that I have left the organizations and people that I have worked with a bit better as a result of my work.”

According to Nelson, “Volunteering is the best way to understand your community and share your expertise. It is also an excellent mechanism to promote the skills of a registered dietitian nutritionist.”

Feldhausen keeps a sign on her bulletin board that says: If not now… when? If not

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