VDA’s 2006-07 Award Recipients

At VDA’s recent Awards Reception in conjunction with the 2007 Annual Meeting in Blacksburg, VA, the following members were recognized for their outstanding achievements in dietetics and extraordinary contributions to our profession and Association.

DISTINGUISHED DIETITIAN

Barbara H. Yager, MEd, RD
Blue Ridge District

VDA’s Distinguished Dietitian of the Year (DDY) Award has a long, noble history. It was first given in 1955 by the Kolbe Company in the name of John G. Kolbe, a friend and supporter of the Association, to Margaret L. Fitzhugh and has been awarded annually ever since to 51 deserving recipients. This award then and now is given to an outstanding practitioner who is a member of the Virginia Dietetic Association who has made significant contributions to the field of dietetics and the Association. Our recipient of this award for 2007 has many skills, attributes and characteristics that make her a perfect choice for VDA’s highest honor. Barbara Yager is a long time resident of Virginia who has spent countless amounts of time, money and resources to meet the nutritional needs of Virginia residents in the public health arena. Prior to becoming a Registered Dietitian, Barbara was a Medical Technologist and now combines both skills to serve communities in the Charlottesville area with the Virginia Department of Health as a . She is a Past President of the Virginia Dietetic Association and has most recently assumed the lead for improved professional regulation of dietitians in Virginia. Her passion for public policy and tireless advocacy for dietitians has fostered the Association’s legislative agenda at all levels. We in the Virginia Dietetic Association are extremely fortunate to have Barbara working for us with members of the General Assembly. Letters of support for Barbara highlighted her commitment to the citizens in which she serves. She maintains the pulse of her community and then goes beyond her job description to help solve its health and nutrition related problems. Case in point is her ongoing fight against childhood obesity in which she engages with stakeholders to find the best solution to a difficult issue. She is well known for her pursuit of excellence and quality. Congratulations Barbara for a very well deserved award!

RECOGNIZED YOUNG DIETITIANS OF THE YEAR

Jessica Fleischman, RD
Southwest District

Jessica is the current President of the Southwest Virginia Dietetic Association and a member of the 2007 Annual Meeting Planning Committee. She received her Bachelors Degree at Virginia Tech and is in the process of pursuing a Masters Degree there with a concentration in Community Nutrition. In between she completed a Dietetic Internship with the Paradise Valley United School District in Phoenix, AZ. Prior to becoming a full time graduate student, Jessica was the Chief Clinical Dietitian at Montgomery Regional Hospital in Blacksburg. She now serves as their Outpatient Diabetes Dietitian one day per week. Her department director has very good things to say about Jessica including, “It is amazing to witness her abilities to change habits and make positive improvements with patients of all ages and lifestyles.” To indulge her passion for Community Nutrition, Jessica works closely with the Montgomery County Action for Healthy Kids. For this effort she was recognized by Virginia Tech as a Citizen Scholar. Finally, Jessica is so well respected at the University that she was recruited to teach a large undergraduate course on health counseling this semester. In her spare time, Jessica is an outdoors gal who enjoys hiking, biking camping and kayaking.

Corinne Pearce, RD
Northern District
Corinne has served the NDVDA Board as Council on Practice Clinical Representative for the past five years in which she is recognized as their meeting planner extraordinaire. She is a graduate of Marshall University in West Virginia and the Dietetic Internship at the University of Delaware. On the job, Corinne wears several hats depending on the day of the week. She is a Clinical Dietitian at HCR Manor Care in Arlington and also at Fair Oaks Hospital in Fairfax. Her manager describes her as a very competent clinician who takes an integrated, holistic approach to patient care drawing upon strong clinical and analytical skills. Corinne has represented Nutrition Services on several hospital committees including Cancer, Medical Records and Staff Education. She is also a Consultant Dietitian for Manassas Nursing and Rehab Center and Clinical Record Consultant in long term care for a firm in Northern Virginia. And last, but not least, she is a new entrepreneur. In March she obtained her federal ID number to launch Corinne Pearce & Associates that will specialize in consulting services for long term care and assisted living facilities. To recharge, Corinne practices Tai Chi, enjoys long walks in nature and is learning to belly dance

SCHOLARSHIP RECIPIENTS

Angela Ishee, James Madison University - Margaret MacDonald Scholarship
Hillary Williams, James Madison University – Augusta Epperson Walker Scholarship
Heather Cox, Virginia Tech – Graduate Scholarship

50-YEAR ADA MEMBERS

Eleanor Adams
Janet Brownlee
Carole Bryson
Anne Dumper
Wilhelmenia King
Ruth Jensen
Elizabeth Walker