This year’s theme – “Breaking Barriers, Building Confidence” – emphasizes the importance of overcoming challenges within the field of nutrition while fostering empowerment and self-assurance among professionals. Keynote sessions will inspire attendees to push past limitations, embrace new opportunities, and gain the confidence needed to drive positive change in nutrition, healthcare, and public health. Breakout sessions will be geared in specific tracks – clinical, public health, and entrepreneurship- to help attendees feel empowered to advocate for better health outcomes, apply evidence-based practices, and lead innovations in the field.The meeting will focus on collaboration, skill-building, and reinforcing the vital role of dietitians and nutrition professionals in shaping the future of health and wellness.
Continuing Education
Sessions are submitted to the Commission on Dietetic Registration (CDR) for Continuing Professional Education Units (CPEUs) for the live event. Attendees will earn 7.0+ CPEUs upon completion of the conference and annual meeting survey. Certificates will be issued to all attendees after the event.
Keynote Speakers
Keynote Session One
What We Don’t Talk About When We Talk About Imposter Syndrome
Dietitians in every sector of the field have felt it: that nagging anxiety that we don’t know enough, aren’t good enough, and will inevitably be “found out” by other, more experienced practitioners.
While imposter “syndrome” is particularly common amongst new graduates, even seasoned dietitians are being held back by this extreme, professional self-doubt. In this talk, you will learn what imposter syndrome actually is, what it isn’t, and how to prevent it from blocking your path to intrinsic confidence as a dietetics professional.
Jessica Romola, RDN
Jessica Romola focuses her work on the systemic issues and opportunities within the field of dietetics, addressing concerns of burnout, retention, confidence, and moral injury from a values- and evidence-based framework to strengthen the profession and improve the lives of dietitians worldwide.
Keynote Session Two
Tackling Maternal Health Disparities: Bridging the Gap through Cultural Relevance in Myplate
This seminar aims to address maternal health disparities, particularly among African American communities, through exploring adaptations in MyPlate to reflect cultural relevance for improved consumption. By promoting a diverse and balanced diet, we can empower mothers to make informed nutritional choices that support their health to help nourish a growing baby during pregnancy and breastfeeding
Janet Reid-Hector, Ed.D, RDN
Dr. Reid-Hector is a former President of NJAND and focuses her research on artificial intelligence in healthcare and population health disparities with focus on maternal nutrition health and complications in women of color.
Nada Mays, MS, RDN
Nada Mays blends her background in national and international public health, culinary arts, and clinical nutrition to provide personalized and culturally inclusive nutrition support.
Keynote Session Three
Navigating AI: The New Frontier in Dietetics
In this engaging and forward-thinking session, the profound and potential impact of Artificial Intelligence (AI) on the profession of dietetics will be explored. From private practice and public health to clinical settings and academia, AI is revolutionizing how dietetic practitioners operate, collaborate, and engage with clients, colleagues, and communities. Ethical considerations for AI use and implementation will also be highlighted.
Drew Hemler MSc, RDN, CDN, FAND
Drew Hemler integrates AI across private practice, telehealth, academia, and clinical settings. At Buffalo State University, Drew leverages AI for course development, preparing students for real-world applications with a focus on ethics and sustainable practice
