2011 Future Connections-Summit on Dietetics Practice,
Credentialing and Education
March 24-26, 2011

Where would you like dietetics practice, credentialing and education to be in the year 2021? 
What do you see as future dietetics practice roles for dietetics practitioners? 

These are questions that ADA members and CDR credentialed practitioners will answer during Future Connections-Summit on Dietetics Practice, Credentialing and Education scheduled for March 24-26, 2011.  The vision for this unique meeting is to create a shared vision and recommendations about a future direction for dietetics practice, credentialing and education.  During the Summit, participants will have an opportunity for dialogue, consideration of expert opinions, and critical assessment of our profession’s past, present and future. 

The Summit is a collaborative effort between the Council on Future Practice, Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics (ACEND), Commission on Dietetics Registration and the Education Committee.  The Summit Oversight Workgroup has been charged to plan this interactive event.  Members of the Workgroup are: Jana Kicklighter, member, Council on Future Practice; Sandra Witte, past chair, CADE; Riva Touger-Decker, chair, CDR; Ellen Shanley, chair, Education Committee; Susan Roberts, Practice Representative; Matthew R. Nulty, New to Practice Representative; and Marsha Rhea, consultant.  Staff support is provided by Harold Holler, Chris Reidy and Ulric Chung.  If you have questions about the Summit, please contact the Council on Future Practice mailbox (FuturePractice@eatright.org).

A nationwide community of leaders in seven regions will commit to take the first coordinated steps toward creating a dynamic continuum of education, credentialing and future dietetics practice roles that will enable present and future practitioners to position themselves as the nation’s food and nutrition leaders.

Provide a forum to bring together educators, practitioners and employers to explore a future vision for educating, developing and advancing dietetic professionals.

• Create a shared vision and recommendations about a future direction and design for: dietetics practice, credentialing and education.
• Discover the drivers and opportunities for change in future dietetics practice, credentialing and education.
• Establish guiding principles for a coordinated nationwide initiative to pilot new approaches and programs to create an integrated continuum for education, credentialing and future practice.
• Identify and foster relationships with key stakeholders that can facilitate change and future action related to dietetics education, credentialing and education.
• Establish a method for coordinating and sustaining these change initiatives.

We are seeking broad representation of dietetics educators, practitioners, and representatives of other organizations who have an interest or share in the future of dietetics practice, credentialing and education.  In order to maximize participation, the Summit will be conducted using seven regional sites.  A limited number of participants will be selected to participate in each of the regional sites (See application) – link to http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/SummitApplication .  The Summit registration fee is $300 which includes meal functions and participant materials. 

Are you a strategic thinker who wants to play a role in shaping the future of the dietetics profession?  If so, you are invited to submit an application to participate in the 2011 Summit.  Submit application online. http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/SummitApplication