Melissa C. Pflugh, MS, RD

Melissa C. Pflugh, MS, RD

Program Manager, Healthy Schools, Healthy Families
Morgan Stanley Children's Hospital of New York-Presbyterian
New York, New York

Issue Impacting the Profession

I am most passionate about preventing childhood obesity and improving diversity among RDs. Over the last two years, I developed, managed and implemented nutrition education and health promotion programs at seven public schools aiming to prevent childhood obesity. I also mentor other RDs in their childhood obesity prevention efforts. I expose Black and Latino students to the field of dietetics by presenting at career day in public schools in Harlem and Washington Heights in NYC.


How have you promoted ADA's mission/vision/values?

In my current position, I have significantly improved the value and visibility of the RD. When I started with our program, I was told in three months the nutrition portion of our school health program was to be absolved. Through my programmatic work, nutrition is now a focal point of our school health program, as illustrated by tripling the number RDs on staff and exclusively using the RD to provide nutrition expertise.

 

In assessing your skills, which ones do you think best prepare you to be an ADA leader and why?

The skills that best prepare me to be an ADA leader are my abilities to motivate others and work effectively on a team. My ability to motivate others will help me involve other young RDs in ADA volunteer leadership and to voice their opinion on HOD issues. As a team player with strong communication skills, I will effectively contribute to the House of Delegates to represent the interests of other young dietitians.

 

Important Contributions and Leadership Achievements

  • Pediatric Nutrition Practice Group Wellness & Weight Management Sub-Speciality Unit: Chair (2007-Present)
  • Greater New York Dietetic Association Pediatric Special Interest Group: Co-Chair (2006-Present)
  • Research Dietetic Practice Group Newsletter: Co-editor(2005-Present)
  • Greater New York Dietetic Association Public Relations Committee: Member (2005-Present)
  • Pediatric Nutrition Practice Group Wellness & Weight Management Sub-Speciality Unit: Co-Chair (2006-2007)