ANFP officers sworn in at national conference 2014-07-16

Kathryn Massey, CDM, dietary manager at Floyd Valley Hospital, Sioux City, Iowa, took over as chair of the Association of Nutrition and Foodservice Professionals during the recent National Leadership Conference in Minneapolis. Massey replaced outgoing chair Paula Bradley.

Debbie McDonald, CDM, was sworn in as chair-elect and will take over for Massey in 2015. McDonald is program administrator for food service at North Texas State Hospital in Burkburnett.

Janice Hemel, CDM, foodservice supervisor at Lane County Hospital and Long Term Care in Dighton, Kan., is ANFP’s treasurer for 2014-15. Ken Hanson, CDM, jail services supervisor in the Polk County, Iowa, Sheriff’s Office, is treasurer-elect.

Three directors at large also were appointed. They are Larry Jackson, CDM, foodservice specialist for Sumter County Schools System, Americus, Ga.; Richard “Nick” Nickless, CDM, chef/supply and services director for the Department of Disabilities and Special Needs at Coastal Center in Hanahan, S.C.; and Amy Lewis, healthcare sales and marketing manager for Hoffmaster Group.

During the conference, several awards were given. Among them:

The theme of this year’s conference was “Change, Choice & Opportunity,” and attracted more than 400 attendees. Topics included a panel discussion on culture change, a session on healthcare reform and an overview of HCAHPS.

Also, for the first time, attendees were able to take a Virtual Dementia Tour. The simulation gave operators an opportunity to better understand what their patients with Alzheimer’s or dementia experience.

The annual Pay It Forward fundraiser generated $40,000, which will go towards scholarships, research funding and other education initiatives undertaken by the ANFP’s Nutrition & Foodservice Education Foundation.