Australia’s peak nutrition body has recently awarded the Advanced Accredited Practising Dietitian (AdvAPD) credential to five of the country’s leading dietitians.
The highly-regarded credential, which is endorsed by the Dietitians Association of Australia (DAA), recognises proactive leaders who integrate high level nutrition and dietetic skills to influence the health of the community.
DAA President Liz Kellett welcomed these five leaders who join almost 100 other dietitians, or around two per cent of the DAA membership, who have previously been awarded the AdvAPD credential.
“These inspiring dietitians are role models in the profession of nutrition and dietetics and we are pleased to be able to formally recognise their outstanding professional achievements,” said Ms Kellett.
The five newly appointed AdvAPDs are:
- Jack Bell, Senior Dietitian, The Prince Charles Hospital, Qld
- Annette Byron, Senior Policy Officer, DAA, ACT
- Janeane Dart, Senior Lecturer, Monash University, VIC
- Julianne Donnelly, Dietetic Team Leader – Cancer Services, Nutrition and Dietetics Department, Princess Alexandra Hospital, Qld
- Dr Sara Grafenauer, Communications and Marketing Manager, DAA, ACT
“Having the AdvAPD credential provides a formal acknowledgement to the ‘street cred’ gained through years of hard work doing the ‘extra’ things to advance nutrition and dietetics as a clinician, educator, and researcher,” said Mr Bell of the Prince Charles Hospital.
“When thinking about your career, you are most often looking ahead. The AdvAPD process allows you the opportunity to reflect on the detail, look back and consider your achievements. It offers insights that are sure to inspire the journey forward,” said Dr Grafenauer of DAA.
Mrs Donnelly of the Princess Alexandra Hospital said “Achieving the AdvAPD credential has helped me appreciate the diversity of experiences, expertise and networks I have built over the years, and the positive contributions I have made to nutrition and dietetics in a variety of areas including food service, clinical dietetics, peer support and leadership.”
“Over the course of my career, I have progressively built on my foundations as a health and nutrition professional. I value the AdvAPD credential as a recognition by my peers of my skills and knowledge as a dietitian. I hope that younger dietitians will aspire as I did to the high standards set by other Advanced APDs and Fellows,” said Ms Byron of DAA.
Ms Dart of Monash University said “I feel the AdvAPD credential is a valuable recognition of my career progress to date and a reflection of my experience and achievements which have included developing high level skills in clinical dietetics, leadership, education and teaching, supervision and mentoring.”
DAA President Ms Kellett said AdvAPDs work in diverse areas of practice including private practice, industry, public health, food service dietetics, community nutrition and clinical dietetics. These AdvAPDs are true leaders in our profession.