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My ADA
Keecha S. Harris, DrPH, RD
President, Harris and Associates, Sterrett, Alabama.
ADA Leadership Highlights: National - National Spokesperson, African- American Nutrition Specialist; Member Value Committee; ADAF Scholarship Committee. Alabama Dietetic Association: Bylaws Chai; Professional Issues Chair. Nutrition Education for the Public: Secretary; Hunger and Environmental Nutrition DPG: Domestic Hunger Co-Chair.
Other Professional Activities: Community Food Security Coalition, Board Member; Citizen's Lead Education and Poisoning Prevention Program; Glynwood Center, Harvest Awards Selection Committee; North East Lake Neighborhood Association: Health Advisor; Secretary; Eastern Area Health Advisory Committee; Delta Omega; Kappa Omicron Nu; Phi Upsilon Omicron; Golden Key.
Awards: Hunger and Environmental Nutrition Mover and Shaker Recognition in Becoming a Nutritionist: A Guide for Dietitians and Dietetics Students (in press); Food and Society Policy Fellow, WK Kellogg Foundation; Birmingham District Dietetic Association Recognized Young Dietitian; University of Alabama at Birmingham Ryals School of Public Health Outstanding Masters Student of the Year.
Education: DrPH, Public Health with an emphasis in maternal and child health, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama; MPH, Public Health, ibid; Dietetic Internship, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences/Veteran's Affairs Medical Center, Little Rock, Arkansas; BS, Iowa State University for Science and Technology, Ames, Iowa.
What related experience and skills have you obtained to prepare you to be an ADA leader?
My professional experiences have given me tremendous insights on the importance of consensus building and message framing that tap into a cross section of values and interests. My experiences as an ADA National Spokesperson and Kellogg Fellow have allowed me to represent the dietetics profession in ways that enhance our credibility and visibility. My experiences in research, teaching and service keep me current on issues related to consumption and production food systems issues.
What do you perceive as an important issue impacting the dietetics profession today?
One of the most important issues impacting dietitians and dietetic technicians is enhancing the credence of community based nutrition at the policy level. Dietetic professionals play major roles in influencing preventive health practices on the individual, community and institutional levels through nutrition education, grassroots activism and through publicly funded programs. ADA could be more visible and vocal in influencing community based policies through regional and national organizing.
How would you encourage and promote diversity if elected? American food, art and language patterns that have evolved over the past 2 decades parallel the rapid changes in our population demographics projected for the next 50 years. We need professional opportunities that equip us to effectively work within communities of color across all economic and educational categories. I would encourage and promote a more culturally literate professional group by continuing to advocate for training, resources and competencies that meet those needs.
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