Eat Right Georgia

Amy Joye Memorial Research Award

In 2010, Sarah Wilson (BS, Psychology) received the first Amy Joye Memorial Research Award while working on a MS in Dietetics at the University of Georgia.  Specific aims of her study “Perceptions of the Local Food Environment among Low-Income Adults in Athens, Georgia” were (1) to develop a semi-structured interview guide to inquire about issues and concerns related to the local food environment and food access, and (2) to conduct qualitative in-depth interviews in a convenience sample of low-income adults in Athens, Georgia.  For this study, Sarah was mentored by Jung Sun Lee, PhD, RD (Assistant Professor, Department of Foods and Nutrition, University of Georgia).  Results from this study could help develop and implement appropriate nutrition education programs that increase awareness and utilization of available healthy food options and that support development of sustainable local food systems.

In 2011, Shannon Looney, MPH, RD received the second Amy Joye Memorial Research Award while working on a PhD in Nutritional Sciences at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville.  The primary goal of her study “A Pilot Study of the Efficacy and Program Cost-Effectiveness of Prevention Plus for Childhood Obesity” was to test feasibility of the Prevention Plus intervention to improve children's weight status in a primary care setting by randomizing families to one of three six-month conditions (newsletter; monthly growth monitoring; monthly growth monitoring plus family-based behavioral counseling).  The secondary goal was to evaluate the cost-effectiveness of each condition.  For this study, Shannon was mentored by Hollie Raynor, MS, PhD (Associate Professor, Department of Nutrition, University of Tennessee, Knoxville).  Results from this study will provide data on program cost-effectiveness of specific components of Prevention Plus; this is important because the cost of interventions is a large barrier to the translation of evidence-based research into primary care settings.

In 2012, Danielle Furci Braxton, MPH, RD, LDN received the third Amy Joye Memorial Research Award while working on a PhD in Public Health Nutrition at the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill.  The aims of her study “Bariatric Surgery:  Necessary but not Sufficient” were (1) to explore factors underlying weight loss treatment decisions in extremely obese African American women and characteristics that would be desirable in lifestyle weight loss treatment programs, and (2) to design and pilot test a lifestyle intervention for extremely obese African American women.  For this study, Danielle is mentored by Carmen Samuel-Hodge, MS, MPH, RD, PhD (Research Assistant Professor, Schools of Medicine and Public Health, Department of Nutrition, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill).  Results from this study will help fill gaps in knowledge concerning lifestyle treatment approaches for extremely obese African American women.
The Amy Joye Memorial Research Award is given to honor Amy’s memory by fostering the scientific development of future nutrition leaders, especially in South Carolina and Georgia.  Applicants are required to work with a mentor.  The project must involve human research and focus on one of the following areas:  obesity prevention/weight control, dietary assessment methodology to investigate/enhance accuracy of dietary reports, or fruit/vegetable gardens.

The deadline to apply for the annual Amy Joye Memorial Research Award is April 1st.  Applications are available on the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics Foundation’s website at http://www.eatright.org/Foundation/content.aspx?id=6921.  If you have questions about the application process, please contact Beth Labrador at the ADA Foundation by phone at 800-877-1600 (extension 4821) or by email at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it '; document.write( '' ); document.write( addy_text91094 ); document.write( '<\/a>' ); //--> This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Throughout the year and during the holiday season, district associations and individuals may want to make donations (which are tax deductible).  This will enable a $5,000 nutrition research award to be made on an annual basis through the AND Foundation.  Click here for the donation form.

We make a living by what we get; we make a life by what we give.

Submitted by Suzi D. Baxter, PhD, RD, LD, FADA

The Georgia Dietetic Foundation (GDF), established in 1995, is a 501(C)(3) non-profit foundation. Since 1995, GDF has awarded over $25,000 to more than 40 dietetic students. Activities of the foundation over the past 14 years have included monetary donations to local community organizations, and support for statewide educational meetings, including the GDA Annual Convention and Exhibition, to promote delivery of up-to-date nutrition information and services to Georgians.

Mission Statement

The mission of GDF is to promote the health and well-being of Georgia citizens through nutrition education by supporting the education and professional development of dietetic and other health care professionals.

Scholarship Program

GDF awards one or more scholarships per year to qualified candidates in graduate, undergraduate, and supervised practice programs. The amount of each scholarship is $1500. Candidates do not have to be Georgia residents but must be enrolled in or accepted to a Georgia program. The recipients of the awards will be recognized at the Annual Conference and Exhibition (ACE).  The 2013 application deadline is June 1st, and recipients will be notified by July 15th.

Scholarship Application (pdf or Word).

"I am so grateful to have been awarded the GDF scholarship for my graduate degree in the Coordinated Program in Nutrition at Georgia State University.  I intend to obtain my PhD upon completion of my masters program; any financial assistance I receive along the way is truly meaningful and appreciated.  Additionally, receiving this scholarship further drives my motivation to do my absolute best in my rotations, classes, and laboratory research. Thank you again for your help and support in my educational endeavors! ~Nicole Dingels, Coordinated Program, Georgia State University (pictured)

Recei

ving the Georgia Dietetic Foundation scholarship has helped alleviate some of the financial strain that comes with being a college student.  Going to school full time and only being able to work part time left me with an extremely tight budget.   Upon receiving this award, I was able to set aside some worry and put more energy and focus into schoolwork.  I am much appreciative

of this scholarship and look forward to the future and wherever dietetics may take me!"  ~Brittany Linton, Didactic Programs in Dietetics, Georgia State University (pictured)

Professional Development Stipend

The Georgia Dietetic Foundation (GDF) provides an annual award stipend up to $750.00 to one registered dietitian who is a member of the American Dietetic Association, and resides in the state of Georgia. This stipend is applied toward costs associated with a regional, national or international dietetics or nutrition conference or symposium. Expenses covered by the stipend include (but are not limited to) registration fees, travel and lodging. The recipient of the stipend will be recognized at the Annual Conference and Exhibition (ACE). The application must be postmarked on or before February 15th.

Stipend Application (pdf or Word) or Click here to complete and submit application on-line.

How to Contribute to GDF

Your tax exempt contribution to GDF will support its scholarship program and professional development stipend.

To make a donation on-line using a credit card, click here.

Or send your contribution check made payable to GDF using this donation form (pdf or Word).  Please send to:

GDA Executive Director, Kelly Schriver
4780 Ashford Dunwoody Road, Suite A #512, Atlanta, Georgia, 30338-5504

GDF Board of Trustees

Roseann Hoeye, MBA, RD, LD (President)
Cathy McCarroll, MPH, RD, LD (Secretary)
Cindy Culver, (GAND Representative)
Crystal Duncan, MBA, FMP
Diane Heller, MMSc, RD, LD
Kinley Perno (Student Liaison)
April Rascoe, MS, RD, LD
Joanna Skinner, MBA, MS, RD, LD
Carolyn Turner, MS, RD, LD

Didactic Programs in Dietetics (DPD)
Dietetic Internships (DI)
Coordinated Program in Dietetics (CP)
Advanced Degree Programs

Didactic Programs in Dietetics

Dietetic Internships

Coordinated Programs in Dietetics (CP)

Bachelor's and graduate level

Combined program: dietitian coursework and supervised practice for RD eligibility

Advanced Degree Programs

All applications for membership are handled by our parent organization, the American Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics.  Please take a few minutes to view the short video at the Academy website, Today's ADA, and learn from your fellow Academy members how the many benefits and privileges of membership are working for them.

Or visit the eatright.org to join >

An important membership benefit with the American Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics and the Georgia Academy is the opportunity to volunteer. As a volunteer you make a difference by contributing time, energy, skill and talents to the causes you are interested in. By volunteering you are giving something back to your profession and community by lending a helping hand to your professional organization.