11/14/00 American Dietetic Association Hires Nutrition Scientist

American Dietetic Association Hires Nutrition Scientist

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
November 14, 2000

Contact: Irene Perconti or Bridget McManamon
1-800-877-1600, ext. 4806 or 4769
(Please do not publish these numbers)

CHICAGO - The American Dietetic Association, the nation’s largest organization of food and nutrition professionals has a new Director of Scientific Affairs and Research. Registered dietitian Esther F. Myers, PhD will focus on the role of research in the membership and association’s activities. Dr. Myers retired from the United States Air Force with more than 25 years service.

Myers’ role as Chief Consultant to the USAF Surgeon General since 1994 attests to her knowledge of governmental and policy making procedures, managerial and media experience, and expertise about the role of food management and nutrition in health promotion, disease prevention and treatment.

Dr. Esther Myers is a nationally known author, lecturer, educator and researcher. She is well known to the members of the American Dietetic Association as a site visitor for CADE, a peer reviewer for JADA, and for her contributions as a member of the Health Services Research Task Force overseeing dietetic outcomes research. Dr. Myers was the chief proponent for the development of a comprehensive outcomes measurement system. She led the effort to replicate ADA’s Lewin study on the effectiveness of Medical Nutrition Therapy (MNT) in the Department Of Defense. She used these data to support expansion of coverage of nutrition services.

Dr. Myers has been a member of the Medical Nutrition Therapy Across the Continuum of Care faculty, conducting national and regional workshops on the implementation of MNT protocols. The Institute of Medicine recently appointed Dr. Myers to the Committee on Nutrition Services for Medicare Beneficiaries. The Committee produced the influential report, "Evaluating Coverage of Nutrition Services for the Medicare Population," (December 1999).

ADA serves the public by promoting nutrition, health and well-being.