Each year PNPG recognizes the outstanding practice and significant contributions its members make toward promotion of pediatric dietitians. To nominate a fellow PNPG member, please review the following criteria and complete the application. APPLICATIONS ARE NOW OPEN! Materials for the awards listed below must be submitted by March 31st. If you have any questions, please contact PNPG Grants & Awards Committee Chair, Melissa Pflugh Prescott at melissa.pflugh@gmail.com |
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Outstanding Member of the Year
The Outstanding Member of the Year recognizes outstanding leadership contributions to pediatric nutrition and/or maternal and child health. The following are criteria for award selection:
- PNPG membership for three or more years
- Outstanding service, accomplishments, and community outreach in pediatric nutrition or maternal and child health as exemplified by research, publication, or conceptual development.
- The current PNPG Chair and members of the PNPG Grants and Awards Committee are not eligible.
The recipient will receive $1,200 to attend a pediatric nutrition conference and be recognized at the PNPG member meeting at FNCE.
Click here to submit an application
Published Research Award
This award recognizes outstanding research in pediatric nutrition and/or maternal and child health over the previous calendar year by a PNPG member published in a peer-reviewed journal. The recipient will receive $500 and be recognized during the PNPG member meeting at FNCE.
Eligibility Criteria:
- PNPG membership for at least two years
- Being first author or having a primary role in the research (i.e. second author or senior author) and manuscript development of a publication describing research applied to pediatric nutrition and/or maternal and child health.
- Publication in a peer-reviewed journal during the previous calendar For example, a paper published between Jan. 1 to Dec. 31, 2020 would be eligible for the 2021 Published Research Award.
- If selected for the Published Research Award, the applicant must be willing to provide a 3-minute video clip summarizing your published research article. This video clip will be posted to the PNPG website along with a link to the published article. Alternatively, the awardee could provide a webinar about the published research article. (In this case, the awardee would also be eligible for compensation for the webinar presentation.)
Click here to submit an application
Research Grant Award
A grant of $10,000 each will be given to support research in the area of pediatric nutrition and encourage PNPG members to pursue research within their institutions. Members without research experience are encouraged to apply and receive mentoring through the PNPG Research Mentoring Committee. The recipient's institution will receive $10,000 to be used toward a research project, and the PNPG member will be recognized at the PNPG member meeting at FNCE.
Eligibility Requirements:
- At least one of the investigators must be a member of PNPG
- The project must be reviewed by an Institutional Review Board for the Protection of Human Subjects (if appropriate) or granted exempt status.
- Members of the PNPG Grant and Awards Committee are not eligible for the award while serving on the committee.
Click here to submit an application
Creative Nutrition Education Award
The award is given to the member or members who develop new nutrition education materials or educational methods in pediatric nutrition and/or maternal and child health. Applicants will be considered for this award based on originality, appropriateness, quality of content, pediatric nutrition application, effectiveness, learner participation, and aesthetics and technical quality (for tools only).
Eligibility Requirements:
- Applicants must be PNPG members for at least two years prior to applying;
- The educational approach is used in the practice where the applicant is affiliated;
- Applicants may not win the award more than once in a three year period;
- A commercial firm or national organization may not have developed the education approach.
The recipient will receive $500 and be recognized at the PNPG member meeting at FNCE.
Click here to submit an application
Grant and Awards Committee members, PNPG Chair, PNPG Chair-elect, and past recipients of the Creative Nutrition Award (within the last 3 years only) are ineligible for the award.
Recognized Neonatal RDN Award
The Recognized Neonatal RDN Award recognizes clinical, research, educational, and service contributions to the area of Neonatal Nutrition. The following are the eligibility criteria for award selection:
- Registered Dietitian Nutritionist (RDN)
- Employment in a level 3 or 4 NICU setting equivalent to >10,000 hours
- PNPG member for at least program year of nomination
- Prior recipients of this award are not eligible to apply
The recipient will receive a $500 award and will also receive reimbursement for up to $1000 expense to attend FNCE, where he/she will be recognized at the annual PNPG Member Breakfast Meeting.
Click here to submit an application
Current members of the Grant and Awards Committee and the PNPG Chair are not eligible for the award.
Dietetic Internship/Pre-Professional Scholarship
PNPG is again proud to offer the Dietetic Internship/Pre-Professional Scholarship to members who are enrolled in CADE-accredited internships or pre-professional practice programs. The scholarship is for those intending to pursue a career in pediatric nutrition after completion of their current training program. The amount of the scholarship is $1000.
Qualifications:
- Intent to pursue a career in pediatric nutrition after completion of the current program
- Maintain a grade point average of at least 3.3 on a 4.0 scale.
- Must be a current member of the Pediatric Nutrition Practice Group
Preference will be given to a candidate with pediatric experience.
Click here to submit an application
Grant and Award Recipients
2020 AWARD WINNERS
Outstanding Member Award:
PNPG is proud to announce our 2020 Outstanding Member of the Year, Dr. Lori Bechard, PhD, MEd, RDN. Dr. Bechard is an accomplished leader of pediatric nutrition, having held a variety of pediatrics-related teaching positions at Boston Children's Hospital, Northeastern University, Harvard Medical School, Rutgers University, and Framingham State College, as well as working in clinical, research, and administrative capacities. She has 44 peer-reviewed publications and has a distinguished record of service to PNPG, holding positions such as Treasurer, Communications Chair, Editor of the Building Block for Life, Grants and Awards Chair, and Chair. Dr. Bechard’s work to improve the care of critically ill children on mechanical ventilation through her research related to the FITS study and protein-energy needs in this population has been invaluable to pediatric dietitians engaged in the care of these patients. Thank you, Lori, for all you have done for our profession and DPG; kudos to you!
Published Research Award:
Congratulations to Kristi Thaete, MS, RD, LD, CNSC for receiving the Published Research Award for her publication entitled “User-Informed Medical Device Development: A Case Study for Pediatric Malnutrition Assessment.” The study evaluated an innovative way to measure mid-upper arm circumference (MUAC) by creating a MUAC z-score tape capable of measuring MUAC and estimating the z-score range of any child. This MUAC has become a standard of care at Kristi’s facility, Children’s Mercy Kansas City, and her award-winning publication will facilitate the adoption of this practice to other facilities. Kudos to Kristi and her co-authors for evaluating an evidence-based method to implement the consensus guidelines for classifying and documenting pediatric malnutrition!
Research Grant Award:
Congratulations to Dr. Stephanie Garis Harshman, PhD, RD, LD, who was selected to receive the PNPG Research Grant Award for her project entitled, “The role of the microbiome in infant weight gain and risk of obesity.” Dr. Harshman will be investigating the relationship between the infant microbiome and rapid weight gain until 6 months of age using a longitudinal birth cohort of mother-infant dyads. This research will allow better understanding of the role of the microbiome in early life and the risk of overweight/obesity in childhood. Dr. Harshman is currently a Research Fellow at Massachusettes General Hospital and has 10 peer-reviewed publications. We congratulate Stephanie and look forward to seeing the results of her study!
Pre-Professional Scholarship:
Congratulations to Gale Nelson for her selection as the 2020 PNPG Pre-Professional Practice Scholarship recipient! Gale graduated with a BS in Nutrition from Texas Woman’s University in May 2020, and she will begin the combined DI/Master’s program in Human Nutrition at Texas State University in 2020-21. Gale has had a variety of nutrition-related experiences, including working as a Summer Nutrition and Culinary Camp Coordinator and Fit 2 Lead Nutrition Camp Team Leader. After graduation, Gale intends on pursuing a career in clinical dietetics and becoming a board-certified specialist in pediatric nutrition. We congratulate Gale and wish her all the best in her graduate studies!
Recognized Neonatal RDN Award:
Congratulations to Dena L Goldberg, PhD, RD, our 2020 recipient of PNPG’s Recognized Neonatal RDN Award. Dr. Goldberg has had a long, illustrious career in pediatric nutrition but has focused her vast clinical skillset and talents on neonatal nutrition since 2004. She has 20 peer-reviewed publications, including “Identifying malnutrition in the preterm and neonatal population: Recommended indicators” which was published in the Journal of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics in 2018. Dr. Goldberg mentors dietetic interns and contributes to training pediatric residents and pharmacy students. She has served in a variety of leadership and volunteer service positions, including PNPG Advisor, Chair of the Neonatal Malnutrition Workgroup for PNPG, Co-Chair of PNPG’s Infant Nutrition, Breastfeeding and Neonatology Specialty Group, and serving as a mentor in the PNPG Mentoring Program. Congratulations Dena, and thank you for all of your dedication and service to neonatal and pediatric nutrition!
Past PNPG's Recipients of Grants and Awards
Outstanding Member of the Year
2020 Dr. Lori Bechard, PhD, MEd, RDN
2019 Holly A. Van Poots, RDN, CSP, FAND
2018 Patricia Becker, MS, RDN, CSP, LD, CNSC
2017 Susan Konek, MA, RD, CSP, LD, FAND
2016 Linda Heller, MS, RD, CSP, CLC, FAND
2015 Elizabeth Yakes Jimenez, PhD, RDN
2014 Liesje Carney, RD, CSP, LDN
2013 Beverly Henry, PhD, RD
2012 Mimi Kaufman, MPH, RD, LD
2011 Deb Hutsler, MS, RD, LD
2010 Aida Miles, MMSc, RD, CSP, LD, CNSD
2009 Virginia H. Carney, RD, LD, IBCLC
2008 Nancy Nevin-Folino, MEd, RD, CSP, LD, FADA
2007 Josephine Cialone, MS, RD.
2006 Robyn Wong, MPH, RD, CSP
2005 Ellen Bowser, MS, RD, CSP, LD, RN
2004 Leila T. Beker, PhD, RD, LD
2003 Sandra T. Robbins, RD, CSP, LDN
1998 Barbara Emison Gaffield, MS, RD
Published Research Award
2020 Kristi Thaete, MS, RD, LD, CNSC
2018 Susan M. Gross, PhD, MPH, RD
2017 Jennifer Carvalho-Salemi, MPH, RDN, LD, CNSC
2016 Kayla Bridges, MS, RD-AP, CSP, CNSC, FAND
2015 Diane Stadler, PhD, RDN
2014 Constantina Papoutsakis, PhD, RD
2013 Shelby Wilson, MPH
2012 Teresa Johnson, DCN, RD, LD
2011 Irene E. Olsen Shingara, PhD, RD, LD
2010 Sandy Van Calcar, PhD, RD
"Articles of Distinction" Recognition given to:
Susan M. Gross, PhD, MPH, RD, LDN
Amy K. Resnik, MS, RD, CSP, IBCLC, LDN
Irene E. Olsen Shingara, PhD, RD, LDN
Jamie Stang, PhD, MPH, RD
2008 Christine M. Hardy Framson, PhD, RD
2007 Constantina Papoutsakis, PhD, RD
2006 Lynn S. Brann, PhD, RD
2005 Peggy Papathakis, MS, RD
2004 Barb Kuzma O'Reilly, MA, RD, LD
1998 Leila Beker
Research Grant Award
2020 Dr. Stephanie Garis Harshman, PhD, RD, LDd
2019 Dr. Sina Gallo, PhD, RD
2017 Natasha Chong Cole, MPH, RD
Joyanna Hansen, PhD, RD, LD
Nida I. Shaikh, PhD, RD
Diane Vizthum, MS, RD, CSSD, LDN
2015 Dena Herman Mendes, PhD, RDN
2014 Diane Stadler, PhD, RD
2013 Melissa Edwards, RD and Beth Ogata, MS, RD
2012 Kristine Jordan, PhD, RD
Ruth Williams, EdD, MS, RD
2011 Melanie Gillingham, PhD, RD
2008 Patricia A. Esposito, MS, RD, CDN, CNSD
2006 Melanie Gillingham, PhD, RD
2004 Cheryl S. Lair, RD, CSP, LD, CNSD
Recognized Neonatal RDN Award
2020 Dena L. Goldberg, PhD, RD
2019 Amy Sapsford, RD, CSP, LD, CNSC
Creative Nutrition Education Award
2018 Ruth Williams-Hooker MS, RD, CSP, LD
2017 Amy E. Reed, MS, RD, CSP, LD
2014 Laurie Bernstein, MS, RD, FADA
2013 Teresie Mosby, EdD, RD, CSP, LDN, IBCLC
2012 Mary Barnes, MS, RD
2011 Melissa Pflugh Prescott, MS, RD, CDN
2009 Barbara Baron, MS, RD, CDN
2008 Laurie Bernstein, MS, RD, FADA
2007 Verna Baker, MS, RD, LD
2005 Laurie Bernstein, MS, RD, FADA
2004 Beth Zupic-Kania, RD, CD
2003 Cathy McCarroll, MPH, RD, LD
Dietetic Internship/Pre-professional Scholarship
2020 Gale Nelson
2019 Simona Lourekas, CHES, MS
2018 Irma Madrigal Campos
2017 Nichole Bencie
2016 Ashley Hobar
2015 Kaitlyn Elizabeth Philipps
2014 Perrin Tamblyn
2012 Lindsay Raub
2010 Deonna Hughes
2009 Deonna Hughes
2008 Lauren Rose Cavanaugh June
2007 Alizabeth Neu, BS
2006 Jennifer Jerles, BS
2005 Aimee Morin, BS, BA
2004 Melissa Metz, BS
2003 Jennifer Bott, BS
ADA/ANDF Glenda Bible Memorial Scholarship (awarded in spring for next academic year)
2016 Deborah E Salvatore, MS, CDN
2015 Rachael Patusco, MS, RD, CSP
2014 Rosanna P. Watowicz
2013 Beth Conlon, MS, RD
2012 Lori Bechard, MEd, RD, LDN
2011 Meredith M. Bruening, MPH, RD
2010 Meredith M. Bruening, MPH, RD
2009 Chandra D. Hughes
2008 Brittani R. Padellford
2007 Jillian B. Cooper
2006 Katherine J. Irwin
2005 Shira B. Feldman, RD
2004 Michelle P. Judge, RD
2002 Keecha Harris, DRPH
2001 Lynn Brann, PhD, RD, FAND
1999 Ruth Williams-Hooker, MS, RD, FAND
1998 Melanie Desapri, MS, RD, LD, CNSD
1996 Sharon Groh-Wargo, RD
1994 Pamela T. Price, MS, RD
1993 Rebecca L. Biga, MS, RD
1992 Elizabeth Adams, PhD
1990 Rachel Johnson, PhD, MPH, RD
1989 Linda Nebeling, PhD, MPH, RD, FADA, FAND
1988 Maureen Murtaugh, PhD, RDN
1987 Colleen Mathews, RD
Note: members whose names vary from Academy and PNPG membership information may have been unintentionally excluded from this list. If you have historical knowledge of past PNPG grant and award winners, please contact the Website Monitor at inquiriespnpg@gmail.com with corrections/additions.