Nutrition Students

Students Travel to Public Policy Day at the California Academy of Nutrition & Dietetics

Last month I took my Dietetic Technician Interns to the California Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics Public Policy Day in Sacramento. We spent the morning in a conference learning about how Public Policy impacts the field of Nutrition and Dietetics and hearing from two legislators, Assembly Member Jim Wood, Chair of Assembly Health Committee, and Senator Dr. Ed Hernandez, Chair of Senate Health Committee. Students gained insight into the legislative and political landscape in California, especially in the areas of healthcare services, providers, insurance, and access issues. In the afternoon we walked over to the Capitol to meet our legislators and discuss issues of public policy pertinent to our field. We met with Assembly members Tony Thurmond, Rob Bonta, Catharine Baker, and Kevin Mullin, all of whom represent parts of the Bay Area.

One of my students, Sonia Gonzalez, commented on her experience. “Being part of the California Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics Public Policy Day was a rewarding experience for me,” she said.
“To be surrounded by RDs (Registered Dietitians) and DTRs (Dietetic Technicians, Registered) and seeing my peers voice their passion for the nutrition industry to our legislators was just out of this world.”

—Heather Casale