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CHICAGO - Gainesville, Fla., registered dietitian Ruby Parker Puckett, president of Foodservice Management Consultants, has been named the 2003 recipient of the Marjorie Hulsizer Copher Award, the American Dietetic Association’s highest honor.

Puckett received the award October 25 at ADA’s Food & Nutrition Conference & Expo in San Antonio, Texas. Thousands of the nation’s top nutrition researchers, registered dietitians and other industry leaders attended ADA’s annual meeting October 25-28.

The Copher Award, named for an early 20th-century pioneer in the field of dietetics, is given in recognition of career achievements and contributions to the American Dietetic Association and the dietetics profession.

“Ruby Parker Puckett has served as a leader, mentor and an inspiration to others in all aspects of her professional and personal life,” said registered dietitian and ADA President Marianne Smith Edge. “As an RD, director, educator and visionary, Ruby is a role model for the entire dietetics profession.”

In addition to helping establish Florida’s first dietetics internship program, Puckett has served for the past 30 years as director of the University of Florida’s dietary manager training program, which has received two national awards from the National University Continuing Education Association.

Over the past 30 years, Puckett has also provided leadership through her roles in the Florida Dietetic Association, including past-president, secretary and legislative representative. An ADA member since 1955, she has served as member or chair of numerous ADA committees and teams.

A published writer and frequent lecturer, Puckett has received prestigious awards recognizing her contribution to the profession, including several awards of distinction from Auburn University, listing in Marquis Who’s Who in Science and Engineering and being named an honorary lifetime member of the Roundtable for Women in Food Service.

An active volunteer in her community, Puckett is on the board of the Florida 4-H Foundation and serves as an officer of the Altrusa International of Gainesville.

Puckett received her bachelor’s degree from Auburn University and her master’s degree in education and health care from the Central Michigan University. She completed additional postgraduate coursework, in-service classes, seminars and workshops at the University of Florida.

With nearly 70,000 members, the Chicago-based American Dietetic Association is the nation’s largest organization of food and nutrition professionals. ADA serves the public by promoting optimal nutrition, health and well-being. Visit ADA at http://www.eatright.org/.