Member Spotlight

This month, we’re highlighting Jana Ponce, PhD, RD! Dr. Ponce is the director of the Doctor of Nutrition and Dietetics Program and associate professor of nutrition at the University of Nebraska Medical Center. Dr. Ponce says, “The professional accomplishment I am most proud of is the creation of a Doctor of Nutrition and Dietetics program at UNMC. I believe the advancement of nutrition professionals is imperative to meet the growing complexity of our field and elevate our impact on healthcare, education, advocacy, and research. Through committee involvement and conference participation within ASPEN, I have developed collaborative relationships that have sparked new ideas and helped me envision and contribute to the future potential of our profession.” Additionally, Dr. Ponce serves as co-chair of the ASPEN Abstract Review Committee, leading nearly 100 members in reviewing abstracts to spotlight at the ASPEN Nutrition Science & Practice Conference.

Thank you for your leadership, Dr. Ponce!

ASPEN President-Elect Sharon Irving, PhD, RN, CRNP, FCCM, FNAP, FAAN, FASPEN, recently received the Norma M. Lang Award for Scholarly Practice and Policy! Dr. Irving’s accomplishments span innovation across clinical practice, research, and policy. This June, Dr. Irving will assume the role of ASPEN president—the first nurse to hold this position. Congratulations to Dr. Irving, and thank you for your continued dedication to the field of nutrition!

Image description: Sharon Irving, PhD, RN, CRNP, FCCM, NFAP, FAAN, FASPEN, ASPEN President-Elect; Wanda Johnson, CMP, CAE, FACEHP, ASPEN Chief Executive Officer; and Charlene Compher, PhD, RD, LDN, FADA, FASPEN, ASPEN Rhoads Research Foundation President.

This month, we highlight Catherine Larson-Nath, MD, CNSC, recipient of the 2026 Excellence in Nutrition Education Award. Her commitment to interdisciplinary nutrition support is evident through her work on multiple ASPEN committees, service on the American Academy of Pediatrics Committee on Nutrition, and her roles at the University of Minnesota. In recognition of Global Volunteer Month, Dr. Larson-Nath shares, “ASPEN has given me an outlet to grow my interest in nutrition support care and be part of an enthusiastic community advancing the field so we can better care for our patients.”

Watch this video to learn more about Dr. Larson-Nath.

To celebrate National Nutrition Month, our Member Spotlight celebrates our members who have recently received awards from the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics.

We celebrate with:

• Amaris Bradley, MPH, RDN, for receiving the Excellence in Practice: Business and Industry Award.
• Carin Butler, MS, RD, LD, FAND; Meredith Kleinhenz, RD, CSG, LD, FAND; and Laura Martinell, RD, CSO, CNSC, CD, FAND, for receiving the Fellow of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics (FAND) designation.
• Elif Aysin, PhD, RDN, LD, and Stacy Pelekhaty, MS, RDN, LDN, CNSC, FAND, FASPEN, for receiving the Abbott Nutrition Malnutrition Award.
• Amy Bilbo, MS, RD, CSO, LD, CNSC, for receiving the Outstanding Preceptor Award for the Southeast region.
Congratulations to these amazing dietitians and ASPEN members who received an Academy affiliate or state chapter award! Thank you for your work and advancing the field of dietetics!

Do you know an outstanding ASPEN member? Nominate someone or submit a self-nomination for an upcoming Member Spotlight! You can view past Spotlights here.

This month, our Member Spotlight highlights an ASPEN first! Jose Pimiento, MD, FACS, FASPEN, received the Fellow of ASPEN (FASPEN) designation in the Class of 2026. What makes this award extra special is that his mother, Sonia Echeverri, MS, RN, FASPEN, received the FASPEN designation in 2018. This achivement marks the first mother-son FASPEN duo in ASPEN history!

Dr. Pimiento is a leader in foregut oncology and research at the Moffitt Center in Tampa, Florida. Ms. Echeverri’s numerous contributions to ASPEN include innovation in Latin American clinical nutrition leadership.

Thank you, Jose and Sonia, for your outstanding research, leadership, and dedication to ASPEN!

Our January Member Spotlight highlights Jessica Justice Reath, RDN, LD, CNSC, our Dietetics Practice Section Chair. She is passionate about representing dietitians in ASPEN and their community, and getting dietitians involved. Jessica notes, “RDs are the nutrition experts, and our daily practice of nutrition assessments and interventions brings the expertise to the table when establishing guidelines. Our scope of practice is growing, and we have experiences not just in the clinical practice setting, but in research, education, and advocacy throughout the different life spans. Evidence shows that when a registered dietitian is involved with the multidisciplinary team, there is better coordination of the patients leading to optimal health outcomes and care environments. By volunteering within ASPEN, you are part of a multidisciplinary team helping to coordinate care for patients within different populations. Often, your healthcare institution or practice may rely on the dietitian for guidance on protocol establishment or coordination of shortages; work through these committees allows you to grow that knowledge base and take back to your practice/institution thus improving patient care.”

Thank you, Jessica, for your outstanding leadership and dedication to ASPEN!

This month, we highlight Macy Mears, MS, RD, LD, CNSC, for her work with the University of Chicago Medicine Rooftop Garden. “The 2025 UChicago Medicine Rooftop Garden had a very successful season. We surpassed our goal of distributing 5,500 pounds of produce to patients! We have also expanded our core volunteer crew to include other disciplines across the hospital system, not just the nutrition department. The plans for the 2026 season will be underway before we know it!” Congratulations, Macy, on a successful season!

This month, we highlight Gordon Jensen, MD, PhD, FASPEN, who has been selected by the Board of Directors as the recipient of the 2026 ASPEN Lifetime Achievement Award. Even though he officially “semi-retired” in 2022, Dr. Jensen continues to lead the charge against malnutrition. As Rhoads Research Foundation President Charlene Compher, PhD, RD, LDN, FASPEN details, “Dr. Jensen has been one of the most active and persuasive proponents of ASPEN’s Global Leadership Initiative on Malnutrition. Through numerous collaborations, presentations, interviews, and journal articles, he is advancing our ability to share data, evaluate targeted interventions, and monitor outcomes. He has guided our vision toward a modern understanding of disease-related malnutrition, shaping the field for future innovation and improved patient care.”

Thank you, Dr. Jensen, for everything you have done for the benefit of ASPEN and clinical nutrition!

Our October Member Spotlight recognizes Steven Plogsted, PharmD, FASPEN, for his selection as the recipient of the 2026 ASPEN Champion Award. In his decades long career, Dr. Plogsted has been a consistent volunteer with ASPEN, achieving the Fellow of ASPEN (FASPEN) designation in 2020 and receiving the Distinguished Nutrition Support Pharmacist Service Award in 2022.

Dr. Plogsted’s enthusiasm for nutrition support and unwavering service has been noted at ASPEN and beyond. He has retired from clinical pharmacy after over 30 years in the field and retired from the U.S. Army Reserves as a lieutenant colonel with over 20 years of service.

Congratulations, Dr. Plogsted!

Our September Member Spotlight recognizes Al Barrocas, MD, FACS, FASPEN, in light of the 20th anniversary of Hurricane Katrina. Dr. Barrocas and his committed team at Methodist Hospital ensured exemplary patient care continued when Hurricane Katrina barreled through New Orleans on August 29, 2005. Surrounded by flood waters and cut off from outside assistance, Dr. Barrocas and staff were able to keep 170 patients nourished, several dependent on PN or EN, with ingenuity and improvisation of limited resources.

Watch a 2006 interview in which Dr. Barrocas shares how his team provided PN and EN during Hurricane Katrina. See video footage Dr. Barrocas captured during the storm. Read his NCP article on the challenges and lessons learned in delivering nutrition support during the crisis.

Thank you, Dr. Barrocas!

Our August Member Spotlight recognizes Allison Krall, MS, RD, CNSC, for receiving the 2025 Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center Clinical Excellence Award!

She received this award for her role in developing and leading the RD feeding tube placement team. “I was inspired to become involved in the field of nutrition support over 25 years ago during my internship when I had a rotation with the nutrition support team at St Mary’s Hospital, Mayo Medical Center in Rochester, MN. Throughout my career I have been fortunate to work in a variety of settings managing patients on enteral and parenteral nutrition. I always knew when Ohio State was starting their first RD led feeding tube team that I wanted to be involved. I really enjoy the hands on role of this position and leading my team to have such a positive impact on patient care,” said Allison.

Congratulations, Allison! Thank you for advancing the science and practice of clinical nutrition.

Our July Member Spotlight recognizes Stephanie Cuttrell, MS, RD, LDN, CNSC, for her assistance with planning the Malnutrition Awareness Week webinars! Thank you for your commitment to bringing attention to this widespread healthcare issue! “Malnutrition Awareness Week has been fighting against malnutrition through educating and empowering the healthcare community on identifying, diagnosing, and treating this medical condition,” said Stephanie.

We also thank the entire Malnutrition Committee and the many other volunteers who help make this event so successful each year.

Congratulations to Jaylin Staunton, MS, RD, LDN, CNSC, lead clinical dietitian specialist at Fox Chase Cancer Center, on receiving the Recognized Young Dietitian of the Year Award from the Pennsylvania Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. This prestigious award highlights her leadership, innovation, and impact on the field of dietetics.

At Fox Chase, Staunton leads efforts in ethical feeding practices for oncology patients, manages parenteral nutrition care, and serves as Lead Clinical Preceptor. She is actively involved in ethics and nutrition committees and is Chair-Elect of the International Clinical Ethics Section of the American Society for Parenteral and Enteral Nutrition.

ASPEN President-Elect Dr. Kathleen Gura recently attended the Middle Eastern Alliance for Parenteral and Enteral Nutrition (MEAPEN) Congress in Dubai.

Dr. Gura presented on the use of alternative intravenous lipid emulsions in the NICU & PICU and Pediatric Intestinal Failure Associated Liver Disease.

Ainsley Malone, MS, RDN, LD, CNSC, FAND, FASPEN, is retiring from her role as Clinical Practice Specialist at ASPEN. A member since 1981, her unwavering commitment to ASPEN is evident from her participation in multiple committees, service as ASPEN’s 37^th President, and leadership in numerous clinical practice initiatives.

We celebrate Ainsley’s significant contributions to the field of nutrition support. Her impact on ASPEN’s mission, patient care, and healthcare policy is lasting. Please join ASPEN in wishing her all the best in her retirement.

Patricia Byers, MD, FACS, FASPEN, Bettemarie Bond, and Nancy Edwards, ASPEN Manager, Advocacy and Public Policy represented ASPEN at the Digestive Disease National Coalition (DDNC) Public Policy Forum in Washington, DC, March 2 and 3.

They presented the ASPEN 2025 public policy and advocacy overview at the DDNC all-member meeting and educated congressional members and their staff on public policy initiatives important to ASPEN as part of the DDNC Capitol Hill Day. Thank you, Patty, Bettemarie, and Nancy, for sharing this important information!

Please join ASPEN in recognizing the Ohio Chapter and its leadership team for putting together a guide to Columbus for ASPEN25 attendees. Their document highlights key activities, dining options, and the unique charm of Columbus, offering a perfect introduction to the city and ensuring a memorable experience for all. Thank you to OPSEN President Ashley Bronston, MS, RDN, LDN, and the OPSEN ad-hoc committee that worked to develop the guide.

Linda Lord, NP, ACNP-BC, CNSC, FASPEN, and Maisy Cyr, MSW, shared valuable insights on improving nutrition access in the Pharmacy Practice Newsletter and video, building on the Malnutrition Awareness Week webinar, Nutrition Support Access: Breaking Down Barriers. In the video, they explore challenges faced by both patients and clinicians, such as supply shortages, and offer coping strategies to navigate these difficulties. Linda Lord also highlights key organizations that consumers can turn to for additional support. This conversation aims to help improve access to essential nutrition care for those in need.

The ASPEN Board of Directors is pleased to announce that Gil Hardy, PhD, FRSC, FASPEN, has been selected to receive the 2025 ASPEN Champion Award in recognition of his dedication to the association, his commitment to education and mentorship, and his advocacy and contributions to advancing clinical nutrition worldwide. Congratulations to Dr. Hardy on this incredibly well-deserved accomplishment!

Dr. Hardy is an emeritus professor of clinical nutrition at Massey University, Auckland, New Zealand. He has been with ASPEN since 1977, serving on the Research, Membership, Awards, Publication Review, and FASPEN Awards committees. He founded and was the first chairman of ASPEN’s International Clinical Nutrition Section, served on the Board of Directors, and represented ASPEN on the International Human Rights for Clinical Nutrition working group.

Please join ASPEN in recognizing Diana Mulherin, PharmD, BCNSP, BCCCP, FCCM, FASPEN, as an outstanding volunteer who currently dedicates her time as the chair of the Clinical Practice Committee and the Parenteral Nutrition (PN) Shortage Subcommittee. Diana is a Clinical Pharmacist Specialist at Vanderbilt University Medical Center in Nashville, TN, and has been an ASPEN member for 13 years.

Diana has been an active member and volunteer and achieved a Fellow of ASPEN designation in 2024, the highest honor available to members. Most recently, Diana led the PN Shortage Subcommittee’s efforts to create two new PN shortage recommendations (intravenous dextrose and sterile water for injection) and update the intravenous multivitamin shortage recommendations. These documents support clinicians in managing PN therapy during product shortages and are critically important to our members. Thank you, Diana, for volunteering to lead these important ASPEN efforts!

Please join ASPEN in congratulating Gordon Jensen, MD, PhD, FASPEN on receiving an Honorary Membership at last month’s ESPEN meeting! Dr. Jensen is a Past-President of ASPEN, and has authored more than 220 journal articles, reviews, and book chapters. He was selected as the 2014 Jonathan E. Rhoads Lecturer and is an ASPEN Fellow.

He most recently served as Senior Associate Dean for Research and Professor of Medicine and Nutrition at the Larner College of Medicine, University of Vermont, where he retired with Emeritus recognition in June 2022.

MWe are so grateful to ASPEN’s members, ambassadors, corporate sponsors, and society and media partners for making this year’s Malnutrition Awareness Week (MAW) an undeniable success! ASPEN member Andie Lee Gonzalez, PhD, MPH, RDN, LD, FAND, is pictured with the proclamation she requested from the state of Texas recognizing MAW.

Ms. Gonzalez stated, “Submitting a proclamation to recognize Malnutrition Week is a vital service to our patients, amplifying our advocacy and voice to support their health and nutrition. It’s a powerful way to stand up for our patients who rely on us for their well-being and ensure they receive the care they deserve and need.”

Thank you to Ms. Gonzalez and everyone else who helped make MAW incredible!

aCongratulations to Ms. Penny Allen on her incredibly well-deserved retirement! She most recently served as the Vice President of Nutrition Support Services for Optum Infusion Pharmacy, where she was an ASPEN 2022 Clinical Nutrition Team of Distinction award recipient. She has authored dozens of publications and abstracts and earned her FASPEN in 2021.

Ms. Allen continues to volunteer for the Public Policy & Advocacy Committee—even while retired! She said of her involvement with ASPEN, “I recall my first ASPEN meeting in 1990…being so impressed and motivated by the top minds in nutrition support and thinking, I want to be involved in that! Years later, I was asked to be on a lipid position paper committee and that springboarded my involvement with ASPEN, eventually fostering a passion for advocacy and for trying to change Medicare coverage policies.”

She also stated, “I am so grateful for the relationships, mentorship and involvement with ASPEN over the years.  I never in a million years thought I would have such opportunities, or would be part of such prestigious organization.”

Ms. Wolff currently serves as Senior Principal Medical Liaison at Baxter International, Inc. She also serves as an educator and speaker for conferences and workshops and is featured in publications sharing her knowledge on nutrition-focused physical exams to diagnose malnutrition.

She has been an ASPEN member since 2009 and has been active on ASPEN’s Malnutrition and Public Policy & Advocacy Committees. Thank you, Ms. Wolff, for all the ways you support the clinical nutrition field!

Ms. Morgenstern is a Registered Dietitian with GMBC HealthCare in Baltimore, MD. She has been an ASPEN member since 2018 and the President of the Maryland Society for Parenteral and Enteral Nutrition (MSPEN) for several years. ASPEN thanks Diane Herzog, MS, RD-AP, LDN, CNSC, for nominating Ms. Morgenstern.

Ms. Herzog said of Ms. Morgenstern, “In her time as president, she has done a phenomenal job hosting member events, including bringing in expert speakers and most recently, organizing an in-person parenteral nutrition writing workshop. Being an ASPEN member has allowed her to invest in the learning and professional development of those in her local nutrition support community. She is so passionate about staying up to date with research and continuing to learn, and being an ASPEN member has given her resources to stay involved, network, and become an expert in her field.” Thank you, Ms. Morgenstern, for everything you have done for the clinical nutrition community!

Ms. Strickland is the adult clinical dietitian supervisor and surgical/trauma intensive care dietitian at ECU Health, and a member of ASPEN’s Malnutrition Coding and Reimbursement Task Force. She was recently featured in the “Off the Record with Brian Murphy” podcast discussing how to become a dietitian, what nutrition support dietitians do, the dietitian’s role in treating critically ill patients, and coding for malnutrition. You can learn more or listen here. Congratulations on being interviewed, Ms. Strickland!

This month, we’re spotlighting the ASPEN24 attendees who stopped by ASPEN’s Member Central to make cards for hospitalized patients. Your generous gifts of creativity, time, and thoughtfulness resulted in a donation of nearly 100 cards to Tampa General Hospital in Tampa, FL. Thank you! You can view a video of the hospital’s Patient Family Advisory Council describing the impact the cards will make here.

Please join us in offering heartfelt congratulations to our elite group of award-winners! These esteemed awardees, fellows, grant recipients, and abstract winners will be recognized at ASPEN24, and the Harry M. Vars and Promising Investigator awardees will also be selected on Sunday, March 5, at the Rhoads Research Lecture and Awards Ceremony.

ASPEN is so grateful to the generous donors who have made the Patricia Anthony Future Leaders Award possible. Thank you to the contributors for helping to honor Pat and supporting the next generation of clinicians. Your contributions will make a lasting impact on the future of nutrition support.

This new award offers financial support for a deserving student or new practitioner member of ASPEN to attend the ASPEN Nutrition Science & Practice Conference. Congratulations to the first recipient, Amy Copes, who will be joining us at ASPEN24! Ms. Copes is a pharmacy student at Samford University in Birmingham, Alabama.