November 4, 2010 is the second annual nutritionDay in the U.S. This non-profit organization is part of a global initiative to improve patient safety and quality of care by raising awareness and increasing knowledge about disease related malnutrition.
Vision: To provide the healthcare community, including acute care facilities, rehabilitation facilities, home healthcare and nursing homes, with a full spectrum of resources to assess and ultimately minimize healthcare related malnutrition.
nutritionDay in the U.S. is an organization formed as part of nutritionDay Worldwide. In the past five years nutritionDay Worldwide (previously known as nutritionDay in Europe) reached over 30 countries, 45,355 patients and 1587 units outside the U.S. (2006-2008 data). In addition, greater than 25 professional nutrition associations, from around the globe, support this initiative. The University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria, is the financial support for nutritionDay Worldwide.
nutritionDay in the U.S. was conceived in 2008 and launched at the American Society of Parenteral and Enteral Nutrition (ASPEN) Clinical Nutrition Week, in New Orleans, LA, in February, 2009.
Program Objectives: The objectives of nutritionDay in the U.S. mirror the global nutritionDay initiative, and addresses improved patient safety and quality of care by raising awareness and increasing knowledge about disease related malnutrition.
The U.S. nutritionDay Team
President, Gail Gewirtz, M.S., R.D. Greater Chicago Area, Register Dietitian since 1987, Master of Science Degree from the University of Florida. Experienced with nutrition support, patient consultation, parenteral and enteral nutrition, medical sales, and marketing, as well as sales training. Achieved many dietitian, sales and marketing awards in her medical, sales, and marketing career.
Nutrition Clinician: Sarah Jones, R.D.
Bachelor’s of Science Degree in Hospitality Management and Dietetics. Completed Dietetic Internship (Spring, 2010) and recently passed her registration exam. Graduated Summa Cum Laude from Western Kentucky University and completed a dietetic internship through Meredith College, Raleigh, NC. During her internship, Sarah was privileged to work with Duke University Medical Center, UNC Wellness and nutritionDay in the U.S.
Marketing Director: Scott Drucker
Chicago, IL, President Board of Directors at Child’s Voice School, Managing Partner at The Drucker Group; Medical Marketing and Communications Group
Director of Research: Nick Andrus
Chicago, IL, Managing Partner at The Drucker Group; Medical Marketing and Communications Group
Chief Operating Officer/IT Director: Avi Azoulay
Skokie, IL, President of Vision It Web, Inc. CEO and President Computer Systems Solution, Inc., Developed Web Site for the Illinois council on Long term Care and Software Couch (tm) for the Special Olympic organization.
Consulting Physician: Dr. Rafeal Barrera, M.D.
Critical Care Physician, New Hyde Park, NY, Attending Surgeon, Division Critical Care, Assistant Professor of Medicine, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Certification: American Board of Internal Medicine, American Board of Internal Medicine, Critical Care Medicine, Board Certification for Nutrition Specialists, Board Certification in Nutrition Support, Areas of Specialization: Critical Care, Nutrition Post Graduate Training: MSKCC Critical Care/Pulmonary/Nutrition
Treasurer: Beth Spangler
Greater Chicago area, Master’s Degree in Tax and Accounting from Florida Gulf Coast University. Experienced with budget and forecasting with a major medical corporation.
Attorney: Paul T. Saharack
Member of the Chicago Bar Association; Illinois State Bar Association; Chicago Estate Planning Council; North Shore Estate Planning Council; Illinois CP.A. Society.
Supporting Organizations: European Society of Parenteral and Enteral Nutrition (ESPEN), nutritionDay Worldwide, American Society of Parenteral and Enteral Nutrition (ASPEN), The American Dietetic Association (ADA), ADA Practice Groups: Clinical Nutrition Management (CNM), Dietitians in Health Care Communities (DHCC), State and Local Dietetic Associations: North Carolina Dietetic Association, Greensboro Dietetic Association, Tennessee Dietetic Association
Key Physician Support: Dr. Michael Heismayr, M.D.,Ph.D., Dr. Rafeal Barrera, M.D.Dr. Stephen McClave, M.D., Dr. Robert Martindale, M.D.,Ph.D.
Industry/Financial Support: Abbott Nutrition
Office Address: 1440 North Dayton Street, Suite #202, Chicago, IL 60642
Telephone number: 847-254-2034
Fax number: 312-867-4967
Email address: office@nutritionDayUS.org
To learn more about nutritionDay, visit the following websites:
Website: http://www.nutritiondayus.org/
Global Website: http://www.nutritionday.org/
nutritionDay information will be available at the American Dietetic Association - Food and Nutrition Convention and Expo (ADA-FNCE) in Boston, MA. Visit the Product MarketPlace, booth #43, on Sunday, November 7th. nutritionDay information will also be available at the Abbott Nutrition Booth, Nestle Nutrition Booth and the ASPEN Booth.