Applications are now open! Submit your application by August 19.
Distinguished Nutrition Support Clinician: Advanced Clinical Practice Award has been expanded to include all disciplines. ASPEN pays tribute to a clinician member annually in recognition of his or her outstanding contributions in leadership, practice, and advancement of clinicians in the field of nutrition support. Individuals demonstrate excellence in patient care, education, and mentorship of colleagues and students. Winners of these awards receive a $250 stipend.
- Must be a practicing clinician of any discipline for the past 10 years and a current member of ASPEN.
- Must demonstrate the applicant’s:
- Excellence in patient care and patient education
- Excellence in clinical mentorship of colleagues and students within and outside your own discipline
- Participation in international, national and/or local conferences
- Unique contributions to the field of nutrition support
- Past recipients of the same or previous versions of this award, current section leaders, current chairs of committees with section oversight, current members of the Membership & Engagement Committee, and current ASPEN Board of Directors members are ineligible
2026 Distinguished Nutrition Support Clinician: Advanced Clinical Practice Award Winner
Diane L. Nowak, RD, CNSC, is an Advanced Practice Registered Dietitian at the Cleveland Clinic, where she specializes in the nutrition care of critically ill patients, including those receiving mechanical circulatory support and ECMO. Throughout her more than 30-year career, she has been a leader in critical care nutrition, advancing the use of indirect calorimetry and contributing to numerous publications, presentations, and quality improvement initiatives. Diane is recognized for her expertise in nutrition support, commitment to interdisciplinary collaboration, and dedication to mentoring the next generation of clinicians.
| Diane L. Nowak, RD, CNSC | 2026 |
| Renee Walker, MS, RD, LD, CNSC, FAND, FASPEN | 2025 |
| Cassandra A. Pogatschnik, RD, LD, CNSC, CCTD | 2024 |
| Kristen M. Roberts, PhD, RDN, CNSC, FASPEN, FAND | 2023 |
| Sarah McOsker, MS, RD, CNSC | 2022 |
| Kate Willcutts, DCN, RDN, CNSC, FASPEN | 2021 |
| Michelle Kozeniecki, MS, RD, CNSC | 2020 |
| Mandy L. Corrigan, MPH, RD, LD, CNSC, FAND, FASPEN | 2019 |
| Cheryl Davis, RD, CNSC | 2018 |
| Cassandra Kight, PhD, RDN, CNSC | 2017 |
| Michelle Romano, RD, LD/N, CNSC | 2016 |
| Beth Taylor, DCN, RD, LD, CNSC, FCCM | 2015 |
| Susan J. Carlson, MMSc, RD, CSP, LD, CNSC | 2014 |
| Kelly Tappenden, PhD, RD, FASPEN | 2013 |
| Elizabeth Wall, MS, RD, CNSD | 2012 |
| Joseph Krenitsky, MS, RD | 2011 |
| Gail Cresci, PhD, RD, LD, CNSD | 2010 |
| Susan Brantley, MS, RD, CNSD, LDN | 2009 |
| Nancy M. Campalans, RD, CNSD | 2008 |
| Carol Parrish, RD, CNSD | 2007 |
| Jennifer Wooley, MS, RD | 2005 |
| Laura E Matarese, RD, CNSD | 2004 |
Note: The award was previously named Distinguished Nutrition Support Dietitian: Advanced Clinical Practice award and was open only to Dietitians. The name changed in 2025.