Awards
Each year DCMAND recognizes many esteemed members through our awards program. Winners are announced each spring at the DCMAND Annual Meeting (which usually takes place in April or early May).
The 2026 award applications are OPEN! Deadline to submit is Friday, March 13, 2026.
Recognizes the emerging leadership and achievement of graduate students in nutrition, public health, or an ACEND-accredited coordinated program and encourages their participation in DC Metro Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics.
Recognizes the emerging leadership and achievement of undergraduate students and dietetic interns in ACEND-accredited dietetics education programs and encourages their participation in DC Metro Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics.
Recognizes the dedication and competency of a dietitian who has devoted their time and effort to help further the education and training of dietetic students. This award is specific to DCMAND and not affiliated with the DPG award.
The Emerging Dietetic Leader Award recognizes the competence and activities of dietitians regardless of their age, who have made distinctive contributions early in their dietetics careers to the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics.
Criteria:
- Active member of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics.
- Initial practice experience not greater than 10 years. Interrupted careers or time periods not in practice, are not to be considered or rationed into the 5-10 years of professional practice experience.
- Active participation in the national, state, or district association for at least 5 years.
- A registered dietitian nutritionist or a nutrition and dietetics technician, registered
- Demonstrates exceptional leadership ability and skill to successfully manage projects, staff and/or program.
- Demonstrated leadership, in the Academy, Affiliate, local, non-Academy professional associations (demonstrating leadership in nutrition, dietetics, and foodservice), community and/or employment.
The purpose of the Outstanding Dietetics Student Award program is to recognize the emerging leadership and achievement of students in ACEND-accredited dietetics education programs and encourage their participation in the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. A student from each type of education program within a state will be selected by each state association (a maximum of six per state).
Criteria:
- Active member of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. Students must be members by January 1st of the year in which they would receive the award.
- Student enrolled in ACEND-accredited dietetics education program.
- Demonstrated academic achievement as documented by letters from program faculty and/or preceptor(s).
- Demonstrated leadership and professional potential, e.g., honors, student dietetic association activities, community service activities, etc.
The Outstanding Dietitian of the Year Award recognizes the commitment to excellence made by an individual who has demonstrated outstanding leadership and service to the profession.
Criteria:
- Active member of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics
- Active participation in the national, state, or district association
- Is a Registered Dietitian or Registered Dietitian Nutritionist or the equivalent in their own country if an international member.
- Not previously selected for this award in current or any other affiliate
- Demonstrated leadership, in the Academy, Affiliate, local, non-Academy professional associations (demonstrating leadership in nutrition, dietetics, and foodservice), community and/or employment.
- Exceptional performance in area of practice with significant contributions to the achievement of practice.
The purpose of the Recognized Dietetic Technician of the Year Award is to recognize the professional contributions of dietetic technicians in the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics and to encourage their continued participation in association affairs.
Criteria:
- Active member of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics
- Active participation in the national, state, or district association
- Is a Nutrition and Dietetic Technician, Registered.
- Not previously selected for this award in current or any other affiliate
- Demonstrated leadership, in the Academy, Affiliate, local, non-Academy professional associations (demonstrating leadership in nutrition, dietetics, and foodservice), community and/or employment.
- Exceptional performance in area of practice with significant contributions to the achievement of practice.
The purpose of the Recognized Young Dietitian of the Year award is to recognize the competence and activities of younger dietitians in the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics and to encourage their continued participation in association affairs. This group will be an additional resource from which the leadership of the association will develop both at the district, state, and national levels.
Criteria:
- Active member of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. Age limit as of May 1 deadline, 35 years or younger.
- Active participation in the national, state, or district association.
- Is a Registered Dietitian or Registered Dietitian Nutritionist or the equivalent in their own country if an international member.
- Not previously selected as an RYDY in current or any other affiliate.
- Demonstrated leadership, in the Academy, Affiliate, local, non-Academy professional associations (demonstrating leadership in nutrition, dietetics, and foodservice), community and/or employment.
- Exceptional performance in area of practice with significant contributions to the achievement of practice.
Congratulations to the 2026 DCMAND Award Recipients!
Outstanding Dietitian of the Year
Jenny A. Coutts, RD
Outstanding Dietetics Student
Celia Bastin
DCMAND's Outstanding Preceptor of the Year
Anna Abbott