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Massachusetts Dietitians Education Foundation (MDEF)

About MDEF

The Massachusetts Dietitian’s Education Foundation (MDEF) is a nonprofit (501c3) organization founded by the Massachusetts Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics (MAND). Its purpose is to serve as a fundraising and charitable foundation for nutrition in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts with the goal of providing financial support for the education and recognition of dietitians in the form of scholarships and awards. Every year MDEF provides scholarships to outstanding individuals seeking undergraduate degrees, graduate degrees and dietetic internships in the field of nutrition.

 

To Donate to the Scholarship Fund: 

With only a very modest endowment that does not generate sufficient funds to be self-sustaining, we rely on member donations and sponsors to keep the scholarships going. Click Donate below to make your gift to MDEF.

 

 

Volunteers Wanted:

MDEF is seeking volunteers with fundraising experience to help raise funding for scholarships.  Please consider donating your time in exchange for flexible hours, nice colleagues and the satisfaction that your efforts are going to a critical purpose.  For more information, email Lisa Lombardini MS, RD, LDN at  massMDEF@gmail.com.  

 

Meet our 2024 MDEF Scholarship Winners!


Elizabeth Foot

I am drawn to dietetics for the ability to empower others to fuel themselves and accomplish all they want. Interested in pursuing a RD career in eating disorders or reproductive health, I am excited to put my skills to practice at MGH. In my free time I enjoy making new recipes, running, and watching animal documentaries!


Payton Lessard

I recently graduated with my masters in Nutrition Interventions, Communications, and Behavior Change from the Friedman School of Nutrition and Policy at Tufts University. I also completed the Didactic Program of Dietetics at Simmons University. I will be starting my Dietetic Internship this August at Brigham and Women's Hospital in Boston. I am looking forward to the next 11 months as I am on my way to becoming a Registered Dietitian. 
 
 

Emily Woo

I am excited to begin my dietetic internship at Simmons University this upcoming fall. My passion for nutrition stems from my love for eating and cooking, as well as my desire to help others develop a healthy relationship with food. I am particularly interested in pediatric nutrition, believing that early nutrition education can foster lifelong healthy eating habits.


Jessie Caouette

Jessica Caouette, MS, RDN, LDN (she/her) is a Registered Dietitian and earned her MS in Nutrition from Boston University. She has spent over 15 years managing projects and programs that have expanded the reach and effectiveness of federally-funded nutrition education, specifically for families receiving SNAP-Ed benefits. In these roles, Jessica utilized both quantitative and qualitative methods to generate equitable, empathetic solutions driven by users themselves. Jessica is an adjunct faculty member in the Department of Nutrition and Health Studies at Framingham State University. More recently as a Research Assistant at Tufts University, Jessica supported the work of systematically reviewing interventions in early pregnancy to normalize outcomes of pregnant individuals at risk of hyperglycemia. In the fall of 2024, she will begin a doctoral program at UMass Morningside Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences in Population Health Sciences in Worcester, MA. Her research interests include effective child and maternal health nutrition policy, practices, and strategies to improve diet quality and support healthy growth.






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Board of Directors Recruitment

Want to get more involved with the MAND Leadership Team? Apply to join!
 
The 2025-2026 Nomination forms are due December 31st 2024, elections take place February 205 and term of office begins July 1, 2025.

Please consider nominating candidates that may be a good fit. Self-nomination is also highly encouraged.
 
Open positions below. Get detailed info on each role in the application form.
  • President-Elect
  • Secretary-Elect
  • Delegate
  • Director-Elect of Member Communications/Public Relations
  • Director-Elect State Professional Recruitment Coordinator (SPRC) and Diversity Liaison
  • Director-Elect Socials for Success
  • Director-Elect of Technology
  • Director-Elect of Education
  • Director-Elect Nutrition Services Payment Specialist
  • Nominating Chair 
  • Nominating Committee Member
  • MDEF President Elect
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JOB OPPORTUNITIES

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Registered Dietician - Class Instructor Registered Dietician Class Instructor - Massachusetts AEROFLOW HEALTH - Aeroflow Health is taking the home health products and equipment industry by storm. We have created a better way of doing.. Read more >

Part Time Outpatient Dietitian Fabulous Registered Dietitian (RD) wanted for busy, fun and inspiring private nutrition practice in Wilbraham Massachusetts working alongside other Dietitians, Nurse Practitioners and other health.. Read more >

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MDEF Scholarships

For 2024, MDEF will be giving out two MDEF scholarships and one MDEF Inclusion, Diversity, Equity, and Access (IDEA) scholarship to deserving nutrition students, each in the amount of $1500. Please pass along to any nutrition students or interns who may be eligible to apply!

All applications are due by May 31st

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