04/24/07: BU Professor Receives Multiple Honors from American Dietetic Association

Nutrition professor named ADA Media Spokesperson and 2007 Outstanding Dietetic Educator

(Boston) – Joan Salge-Blake, MS, RD, LDN, clinical assistant professor of nutrition at BU Sargent College of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences was recently named the Media Spokesperson for the American Dietetic Association, a position she will fulfill for the next three years. She was also awarded the 2007 Outstanding Dietetic Educator after being nominated by her peer, Roberta Durschlag, PhD, RD.

As the ADA Spokesperson, according to the ADA website, Salge-Blake will aim to “advance ADA’s mission and goals; increase the public’s knowledge of food, nutrition and health; establish the registered dietician as the public’s best source for nutrition information; and increase the overall visibility of the dietetics profession and ADA.” She arrived in Chicago on Wednesday, April 18 to begin her media training for the position.

“I am honored to be the ADA Spokesperson,” Salge-Blake explains. “I look forward to working with the ADA to fulfill my mission of getting good, sound information out to the public.”

Salge-Blake also received the 2007 Outstanding Dietetic Educator award after being nominated by her peer, Roberta Durschlag, PhD, RD, director of programs in nutrition and professor of nutrition. According to the ADA, award recipients chosen “demonstrate innovative teaching skills and techniques and leadership qualities.”

“This award is so special to me,” Salge-Blake explains. “To be nominated by your peers is a special honor, so this award means more to me than anything.”

Salge-Blake has been a professor at BU Sargent College since 1994.

With more than 65,000 members, the American Dietetic Association is the nation’s largest organization of food and nutrition professionals. Approximately 75 percent of ADA's members are registered dietitians and four percent are dietetic technicians, registered. Other members include clinical and community food and nutrition professionals, consultants, food service managers, educators, researchers, dietetic technicians and students. Nearly half of all ADA members hold advanced academic degrees. ADA serves the public by promoting optimal nutrition, health and well-being. To locate a registered dietitian in your area, visit the American Dietetic Association at www.eatright.org/.

Boston University (BU) Sargent College of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences is an institution of higher education, research and clinical centers whose premier academic programs prepare dynamic health professionals and whose research and leadership in the health and rehabilitation sciences is actively shaping health care.  BU Sargent College is the only private institution in the country offering five nationally ranked graduate programs in health and rehabilitation sciences.  For more information and to learn about degree programs in physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech, language and hearing sciences, health sciences, athletic training, nutrition, and rehabilitation counseling, visit http://www.bu.edu/sargent.