Please join us as we learn the importance of federal public policy, as well as the role and impact of the Ohio legislature and other regulatory bodies on the work of dietitians and dietetic technicians in the state of Ohio. All dietitians should be aware and take action to elevate the role of nutrition in health care.
Learning Objectives:
At the close of the session the dietetic professional will be able to:
Describe the current initiatives related to federal and state legislative issues affecting the practice of dietetics and consumer protection
Be familiar with up-to-date information on reimbursement
Identify ongoing issues relating to the Consumer Protection Act, Ohio legislation, and Ohio Medical Board activities of significance to dietitians in Ohio
Demonstrate the ability to respond to Academy Action Alerts
Senator Theresa Gavarone serves in the Ohio Senate representing the people of Ottawa and Wood counties and parts of Erie, Huron and Lucas counties (District 02). As a resident of Northern Ohio for over 35 years, Senator Gavarone has an extensive background representing the community, including serving on the Bowling Green City Council. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration from BGSU, a law degree from the University of Toledo College of Law, and is an active member of the Wood County Bar Association. In addition to her public service, Senator Gavarone is a small business owner and together with her husband Jim, owns Mr. Spots restaurant in Bowling Green.
Tiana Montella MS, RD, LD, CNSC, CD-L is a registered dietitian and certified doula. She received her bachelor’s degree from OSU and completed her master’s degree and dietetic internship from Kent State University. Tiana has had experience as an inpatient RD within the ICU. As owner of Labor and Nutrition Dietitian, she provides services to help women of color be empowered to advocate for their rights to have a better birth experience and provide nutrition education for mother and baby. Tiana was in the latest cohort of the Leadership Institute of AND and serves as the current Incoming Council of Professional Issues Chair for OAND. She served as President of the CDA in 2021-2022. Tiana was awarded 2020 Recognized Young Dietitian of the Year from OAND. Also received the 2021 Clinical Excellence Award from OSU Wexner Medical Center.
Natalie Stephens, MS, RDN, LD, FAND is an Associate Director of Hospitals Accreditation for OSUWMC. In this role, she leverages policies, standards, and federal regulations to comply with Medicare conditions of participation for hospital accreditation. Natalie assists the OAND policy team with the Consumer Protection Coordinator role helping to educate members on the importance of reporting harm, and the difference between licensure (protecting the public) and Academy membership (protecting your credential) as well as ensuring our state licensing board is functional. Having a passion for policy started as an intern participant in the national Advocacy Day back in 2003. Natalie has served as Columbus Dietetic Association Policy Chair, OAND State Policy Co-Chair, OAND President, and Chair of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics Nutrition Service Payment Committee.
Kay Mavko, MS,RDN, LD is a 45 year member of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, the Ohio (OAND) and local Columbus (CDA) affiliate. She practiced dietetics in both adult and pediatric nutrition settings. She spent the final 13 years of her full-time career as the Executive Director of the Ohio Board of Dietetics - which at that time was an independent licensure board for Ohio dietitians. Now retired from full-time employment, Kay currently is a member of the Public Policy Panel for OAND and helps with nutrition policy work in Ohio as the State Regulatory Specialist. She participates as a liaison for OAND to the State Medical Board of Ohio monitoring activities related to dietitian licensure, and at the national level has been a member and Chair of the Academy’s Consumer Protection and Licensure Subcommittee which focuses on national licensure issues affecting dietitians and dietetic technicians.
Jacob Lammers is the Communications Specialist for the State Medical Board of Ohio. In this role, he executes strategic communication strategies, designs digital media campaigns and manages social media outlets for the Medical Board. Mr. Lammers is a graduate of Ohio Northern University. He joined the State Medical Board in 2022 and has been heavily involved in the board’s education and outreach program, Partners in Professionalism.
Amy Lewis, MS, RDN, LD has worked as a registered dietitian in Tennessee and Ohio in a variety of areas from public health, long-term care, corporate wellness and outpatient counseling and education. As an outpatient dietitian she has worked with multiple programs including medically supervised weight management, cardiac and pulmonary rehab and pediatric MNT. She has spent the last 10 years as a clinical dietitian with Mount Carmel Health System in Columbus, Ohio, serving as the supervisor of outpatient clinical nutrition for Mount Carmel medical group for the last four. Amy received her undergraduate degree in medical dietetics from the Ohio State University and master’s degree in public health nutrition from the University of Tennessee. She also holds a certificate in training in adult weight management and currently serves as the nutrition services payment specialist (NSPS) co-chair for the Ohio Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics
Laura Poland RDN, LD has been a dietitian for over 30 years and has worked in a variety of settings but by far her favorite area of focus is weight management and type 2 diabetes and prevention. Laura runs a private practice, Dietitian In Your Kitchen and is Director of Nutrition Programs at Swap Health. Swap Health is dedicated to providing nutrition services to low to middle income patients for the prevention and control of chronic diseases. Laura is an active member of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, Columbus Dietetic Association, and the Nutrition Entrepreneur RDs of Central Ohio. Laura is currently serving on the Ohio Academy of Nutrition & Dietetics as the NSPS (Nutrition Services Payment Specialist) and as the State Media Representative as well as the NSPS for the Columbus Dietetic Association.
Kendra Schmuck, RDN, LD, CDE is a registered dietitian nutritionist, licensed dietitian who is certified as a diabetes educator. She has completed certification of training in Adult Weight Management & Childhood and Adolescent Weight Management. She has a Bachelor of Science in dietetics with an emphasis in food service management from Bowling Green State University. She did her dietetic internship through Idaho State University. She has worked as a diabetes educator, outpatient medical nutrition therapist, clinical medical nutrition therapist and in health promotion. She is currently employed at Wright Patterson Air Force Base as the Chief of Clinical Dietetics. In her spare time, she is the public policy coordinator of the Ohio Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics and the Public Policy Chair for the Dayton Dietetic Association.