Providing care inclusive of beliefs and values while honoring cultural food preferences can help improve health outcomes. In turn, this can help minimize health disparities as people may be more trusting of providers who look different from them if they honor their culture when providing interventions.

This presentation provides skill building for individuals looking to be more respectful in their care, including asking questions in a way that honors cultural food practices. Lastly, this presentation will offer ways for dietitians to become more involved in the diverse communities of their own communities to help learn about the cultures their patients represent.

Dr. Melinda Boyd has had a unique career path that she credits to her time as a military spouse. Living abroad for 9 years, she developed skills in cross cultural communication and counseling individuals from diverse backgrounds. She is currently a distance faculty at Cedar Crest College where she teaches graduate courses in nutrition and public health, as well as teaching clinical nutrition in the dietetic internship.

She also serves as an adjunct faculty member at other universities, teaching a variety of classes at both the undergraduate and graduate levels. She has been an active member in the International Affiliate of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics (IAAND), serving in many roles, including the country representatives chair, in which she oversaw a program with 45 local leaders within the affiliate from around the world.

She served a 2-year term on the Academy’s IDEA Committee and is a current member of the ADCES Inclusion Council. She is currently Chair of the Cultures of Gender and Age MIG.

This activity has been approved for 1 CEU by the Committee for Dietetic Registration.

6:00-7:00 pm 

Cost: $10 for students and retired RDs, $15 for MAND members, $25 for non-MAND members