NvAND Member Spotlight: Dr. Jamie Benedict

Dr. Jamie Benedict was nominated for a Member Spotlight for her contributions to Nevada’s SNAP-Ed program, demonstrating care for the community, and serving as a mentor to students. She is described as researcher, educator, and compassionate. Dr. Benedict has been a member of the state organization since 1990 and at one point was the President of the Northern chapter.

Dr. Benedict has served various roles during her career at the University of Nevada Reno as she has been there since 1990. She is currently the Chair of the Department of Nutrition, she has also had roles as the director of the DPD program, the director of the nutrition graduate program, and the state nutrition extension specialist. Dr. Benedict reflects that she has liked each of the roles as they allowed her to develop different skills and focus on different areas.

During her tenure as Nevada’s state extension specialist, Dr. Benedict was awarded a contract from the USDA to create the foundation for Nevada’s first Food Stamp Nutrition Education Plan (SNAP-Ed). Dr. Benedict states that the growth of this program is the direct result of dietitians, nutrition educators, administrators, and others throughout Nevada’s communities. She states she is inspired by her colleague’s creativity, perseverance, and is honored she can continue to be a small part of this.

Dr. Benedict would like to think that she makes it easier for people to achieve a healthy diet and hopes she has accomplished this through education including the education of future health professionals but also through her advocacy work in regards to school wellness policies and the development of Nevada’s SNAP-Ed program.

Dr. Benedict states that there are so many wonderful aspects about working in an academic setting so she narrowed now her favorites to three things.

1. Working with the students. Seeing them grow, develop, and overcome obstacles to achieve their career goals is very rewarding and inspiring. Dr. Benedict also likes how she will go out into the community and see many former students that have blossomed into effective dietetic professionals.  
2. Being surrounded by colleagues and leaders who are passionate about their work and always striving for excellence which cannot help but inspire you to try and do better every day.
3. The seemingly infinite number of opportunities to grow and develop as an educator, mentor, nutrition professional, and now as an administrator. Dr. Benedict states she feels blessed for being afforded so many opportunities at UNR and for the state of Nevada.

Dr. Benedict’s advice to students which can also apply to current RDs is to seize every opportunity to get involved with the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics at your local, state, and national level. One way to ensure you have opportunities is to get involved.  

Dr. Benedict has never regretted changing her major in college from geology to nutrition. She says it was the best the best thing she ever did. She is so pleased with her environment, opportunities, and the people she has met. “You can’t beat it.” 

In her spare time, Dr. Benedict likes to spend time outside with her children and avid outdoorsman husband such as skiing, hiking. In her alone time, she likes to create new recipes, listen to music, and enjoy the quiet.

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