Riva Touger-Decker, PhD, RD, FADA

Riva Touger-Decker, PhD, RD, FADA

Professor/Director, Graduate Programs in Clinical Nutrition
Chair, Department of Nutritional Sciences
School of Health Related Professions
Universityof Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey
Newark, New Jersey

Issue Impacting the Profession

The future of dietetics education and practice is a critical issue impacting the advancement of the initiatives of the ADA. Determining education requirements and practice roles for dietetics practitioners from entry to specialty, advanced and expert levels of practice are critical. My efforts towards this issue included the honor of serving on the first Dietetics Education Task Force, responding to issues raised by the second DETF and as a dietetics educator of Web-based advanced and expert level programs for RDs.


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

I have and will continue to promote ADA's mission/vision/values through my focus on educating RDs at entry, advanced and expert levels of practice, as well as other health professionals and through collaboration, social responsibility and innovation in dietetics practice. As a mentor to dietetics professionals along their education continuum I have helped RDs develop skills in ADA priorities including the nutrition care process and standardized language, evidence-based practice and outcomes research.

 

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

My past and present academic and volunteer positions have helped me build strong skills in networking, communication, innovation and an outcomes-oriented management style. These skills are critical to effective team-building, collaboration and achievement of the mission, vision and goals of the ADA.

 

Important Contributions and Leadership Achievements

  • Nutrition Research Group of the International Association of Dental Research: President (2006-2008)
  • Dietetics Education Task Force (2004-2006)
  • American Dietetic Association Complementary and Alternative Medicine Competencies Task Force: Chair (2002-2003)
  • Nutrition Educators of Health Professionals Dietetic Practice Group: Chair (1998-1999)
  • New Jersey Dietetic Association: Delegate

 

Honors and Awards Highlights

  • American Dietetic Association Foundation Excellence in Dietetic Education (2003)
  • Dannon Institute American Society for Clinical Nutrition Award for Excellence in Medical and Dental Nutrition Education (2003)
  • Amerian Dietetic Association Medallion Award (2001)