Reclaiming DEI: A Call to Action to Elevate Diverse Voices

Description

Learning Objectives

• Identify areas of opportunity within the professional workplace to implement effective DEI strategies.
• Utilize available resources to advocate for inclusive healthcare spaces and direct patient care models/practices.
• Develop culturally appropriate methods of delivering verbal and written nutrition education to the nation’s increasingly diverse citizens.

Performance Indicators

• ations. 1.7.1 Recognizes and respects cultural and racial diverse backgrounds to effectively interact and build meaningful relationships with others (e.g., clients, employees, inter- and intra-professional team members and community and professional groups).
• 2.4.5 Maintains knowledge of community resources for underserved populations including underserved groups to facilitate access to healthy food/water and food assistance programs.
• 3.1.2 Identifies and addresses barriers to effective communication.

Speakers

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  Kat Bechdol

  Senior Manager, Area Clinical Support, Sodexo

  Kat Bechdol, MS, RDN, CSG, LD (she/they) is a board certified specialist in gerontological nutrition and has worked in long term care and continuing care communities since 2019. As a senior manager, area clinical support with Sodexo Kat works to train and promote new RDs and to ensure regulatory compliance in the LTC setting. Kat has held leadership positions with the Academy, the Georgia Academy of Nutrition & Dietetics, Healthy Aging dietetic practice group, and COGA member interest group. As someone with a chronic disability, Kat works to spread awareness about disability rights and accommodations and to remove the stigma around talking about disabilities.

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  Jex Calvert

  Owner/Registered Dietitian, Food Focused Nutrition

  Jex Calvert, RDN (they/them) is a registered dietitian that has worked in foodservice and culinary medicine since 2014. They are the owner of Food Focused Nutrition, a private practice that offers individuals and groups opportunities to access food joy and disrupt food shame, using adventures cooking together in the kitchen as a teaching and learning modality. An important part of Jex's professional journey has been divesting from organizations that do not support their values, which included previously divesting from the Academy until presented with the opportunity to participate in this panel. They aspire to provide care aligned with their anti-ableist, anti-racist, gender-affirming, neurodivergent-affirming, pro-fat liberation, queer-affirming, and trauma informed values.

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  Jalak Patel

  Clinical Outpatient Dietitian, HHS @ Bon Secours Health System

  Jalak Patel, MS, RD, LD, CDCES is a registered, licensed dietitian and holds a Certification as a Diabetes Care and Education Specialist. She is a clinical outpatient dietitian, with HHS @ Bon Secours Health System, in Greenville SC. Jalak has held leadership positions at the South Carolina affiliate and district levels, serving as Annual Meeting Chair and Diversity Liaison for SCAND, and held various positions for the Piedmont Dietetics Association. Presently, Jalak serves as Secretary for the COGA MIG, and a committee member for HHS coporate. Jalak has a passion for health equity and has successfully worked to expand nutrition services in her community. She is working on DEI initiatives in South Carolina to promote careers in dietetics to high school students of color.

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Moderator

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  Zachari Breeding

  Dietetic Internship Director, Philadelphia VA Medical Center

  Zachari Breeding, MS, RDN, CSO, LDN, FAND is a registered, licensed dietitian and holds his Certification of Specialty in Oncology Nutrition (CSO). He is the owner of Sage Nutritious Solutions, a personalized nutrition and private chef company, and is the Dietetic Internship Director at the Philadelphia VA Medical Center. Zachari Breeding, MS, RDN, CSO, LDN, FAND is a registered, licensed dietitian and holds his Certification of Specialty in Oncology Nutrition (CSO). Zach has been recognized nationally for his efforts in Hispanic and Latino health disparities, nutrition considerations for the transgender community, cannabis counseling, and cystic fibrosis. He is the recipient of the Mary Schwartz Rose Memorial Lecture Award from the Greater NY Dietetics Association, the Emerging Dietetic Leader Award from the Pennsylvania Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, the Distinguished Trinko Award from LAHIDAN, and the Unsung Hero Award from the Wishes and Dreams for Cystic Fibrosis Organization.

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