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My ADA
Kathleen M. Rourke, PhD, RD
Dean, School of Arts and Sciences, Point Park University, Pittsburgh, PA.
ADA Leadership Highlights: National – HOD: Professional Issues Delegate in Community Nutrition ; Association Position Committee; Prevention Task Force; Mentor/Mentee Program; ADA Leadership Insitute Attendee; Journal of the American Dietetic Association reviewer. Nutrition Educators of Health Professionals DPG: Newsletter editor; Chair; Publications Chair; Alliance Chair; Membership Chair.
Other Professional Activities: Rocky Mountain University of Health Professions, Board of Trustees: Academic Affairs Committee Chair; Executive Committee; International Journal of Allied Health, Editorial Board; ASAHP Leadership Coalition; Diary Council Advisory; Children’s Hospital Clinical Research Advisory Board.
Awards: Nursing for Community Leadership Sigma Theta Tau; NetWellness for Achievement; Ohio Dietetic Association for Research, Phi Kappa Phi for Academic Excellence, Who’s Who in Executives and Professionals.
Education: PhD, Nutrition Science, Syracuse University, Syracuse, NY; MS, Health Promotion, Russell Sage College, Troy, NY; BS, Microbiology and Nutrition, University of Massachusetts, Amherst; BSN, Nursing, Creighton University, Omaha, NE.
What related experience and skills have you obtained to prepare you to be an ADA leader?
I have served in the House of Delegates and in DPG positions at the National level for seven years and in other types of leadership positions for over 15 years. I know how to listen to our members and then how to advocate for their needs in the association or in Washington. As a leader, I believe it is important to support a stronger dietetic network and a brighter future for those to follow.
What do you perceive as an important issue impacting the dietetics profession today?
There are many important issues impacting dietetics. Therefore, to limit my response would be remiss. The information explosion has caused a “degree creep” in many allied health professions, resulting in the need to assess appropriate educational preparation for OUR profession. Also as a global economy and a diverse culture, our profession needs to reflect that in our membership and in it’s ability to understand and serve the diverse setting in which we live.
How would you encourage and promote diversity if elected?
I believe the best way to encourage diversity in our profession is to create visibility of our profession. I am involved, as well as those with whom I work, are involved in a number of programs in underserved communities. I would encourage our dietetic membership to do the same, demonstrate the value and importance of dietetics by getting involved in communities of need, thereby generating a future population of dietitians.
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