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Home News Recognizing Dietitians Turner, Brantley During March National Nutrition Month

Recognizing Dietitians Turner, Brantley During March National Nutrition Month

Published: Monday, March 9, 2009

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This year’s National Nutrition Month theme is “Eat Right.” This health observance day is a nutrition education and information campaign created annually in March by the American Dietetic Association. Now is the time to focus on the importance of food choices and developing healthy habits. March 11 is Registered Dietitian Day and our chance to recognize the dietitians at the University of Tennessee Medical Center.

Most recently, two of the medical center’s dietitians were recognized by organizations in their field. Congratulations to Virginia Turner, MS,RD,LDN, and Susan Brantley, MS, RD, CNSD, LDN, for their commitment to helping people choose a healthier lifestyle.

Virginia Turner, MS,RD,LDN, has been named the 2008 National Regional Clinical Nutrition Manager of the Year for Morrison Healthcare. She is the clinical nutrition manager for the medical center. Turner monitors each of the 15 hospitals in her region for compliance with clinical nutrition standards, staffing and patient satisfaction standards. She serves as a conduit of the latest information about Joint Commission, CMS and clinical practice guidelines.

Turner has been in the RCNM position for the past three years where she observes and implements best practices in the ever-evolving field of medical nutrition therapy. A registered dietitian for 24 years, Turner has been with UT Medical Center since February 2001. She received her masters in clinical nutrition from the University of Maryland and graduated with a degree in dietetics from the University of Kentucky. He husband of 21 years teaches in Union County, and they have two sons. She enjoys spending time at band competitions and high school football games.

Each year, Morrison Healthcare selects a winner based on his involvement in professional organizations, compliance with monitoring standards for each of their hospital accounts and presentations at regional or national meetings.

Susan Brantley, MS, RD, CNSD, LDN, Metabolic Support Nutritionist, was recognized by the American Society of Parenteral and Enteral Nutrition at the annual National Congress for her substantial contributions to the organization and for the advancement of interdisciplinary quality care for specialized nutrition support patients in her own institution.

This first annual Distinguished Nutrition Support Dietitian Advance Clinical Practice award was presented to Brantley in February. She has been a registered dietitian for 31 years. Brantley graduated in Dietetics from UTK and began working at UT Medical Center. She received her Masters of Sciences degree in Nutrition Science in 1982. She is involved in ASPEN and has served the Tennessee and American Dietetic Associations in elected positions.

Brantley has been married to her husband, Chuck for 30 years and has 2 children. She enjoys reading, cooking and UT sports.

Each year, the dietetics section of ASPEN pays tribute to one deititan member in recognition of his outstanding contributions in leader, practice and advancement of dietitians in the field of nutrition support.

Visit Nutrition and Food Services for more information.