CONFERENCE HOME PAGE
Attendees' Resource
2026 NvAND Annual Conference
April 20-22, 2026
Fully virtual
Fully virtual
Thank you for joining us for the Nevada Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics Annual Conference: "Credibility in the Chaos: Empowering RDNs & NDTRs to Lead with Science." We hope you gained valuable insights and resources to make a meaningful impact in your community. Together, let’s lead with science!
Monday, April 20th
Tuesday, April 21st
Wednesday, April 22nd
Monday, April 20th
Mon, April 20th
Nutrition and Oral Health in Childhood: Separating the Science from the Trends
Ellen Karlin, MMSc, RDN, LDN, FADA & Dr. Sara Karlin
6:00pm - 7:00pm
1.0 CPEU
Ellen Karlin, MMSc, RDN, LDN, FADA & Dr. Sara Karlin
6:00pm - 7:00pm
1.0 CPEU
|
|
Description:
Learning Objectives:
Performance Indicators:
Speaker Bio:
Slides and Recording
Description:
Discover how diet plays a pivotal role in maintaining the oral health of infants, toddlers and children. What the child eats and drinks matters when it comes to protecting their teeth, promoting a lifetime of good oral health and a beautiful smile. This course delves into the intricate relationship between nutrition and pediatric oral health across different stages of growth, from the first 1,000 days of life through preschool years. RDNs will leave this presentation equipped to provide essential nutritional guidance to families to support their child's oral health.
Learning Objectives:
- Discuss the synergistic relationship between pediatric nutrition and oral health
- Summarize the impact of food and beverage choices on the risk of early childhood dental caries
- Recognize the value of collaboration
- Discuss current evidence-based nutrition and oral health recommendations for infants, toddlers and children
Performance Indicators:
Speaker Bio:
Ellen Karlin runs a successful virtual nutrition consulting service. She was a nutrition consultant to dental healthcare professionals in Owings Mills, Maryland and a nutrition consultant at the Comprehensive Asthma and Allergy Center for over 3 decades. Ellen holds a Master of Medical Science degree in nutrition education. Ellen is a fellow of the American Dietetic Association, a spokesperson for the American Dairy Association Northeast and an internationally recognized speaker. She is co-author of “Dental and Oral Considerations in Pediatric Celiac Disease” and has contributed to a variety of other resources.
Dr. Sara Karlin is a board-certified pediatric dentist working as Adjunct Faculty at Arizona School of Dentistry and Oral Health and in private practice in Phoenix. She received her Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Maryland, College Park and completed her D.D.S. at the University of Maryland School of Dentistry. Dr. Karlin pursued her specialty training at New York University and Bellevue Hospital Center, earning a certificate in Pediatric Dentistry. Dr. Karlin is a member of the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry. Dr. Karlin is an internationally invited keynote speaker about nutrition and oral health.
Dr. Sara Karlin is a board-certified pediatric dentist working as Adjunct Faculty at Arizona School of Dentistry and Oral Health and in private practice in Phoenix. She received her Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Maryland, College Park and completed her D.D.S. at the University of Maryland School of Dentistry. Dr. Karlin pursued her specialty training at New York University and Bellevue Hospital Center, earning a certificate in Pediatric Dentistry. Dr. Karlin is a member of the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry. Dr. Karlin is an internationally invited keynote speaker about nutrition and oral health.
Slides and Recording
Adolescent Nutrition: Balancing Diet and Development | Sponsored
Lauren Manaker, MS, RDN, LD
7:00pm - 8:00pm
1.0 CPEU
Lauren Manaker, MS, RDN, LD
7:00pm - 8:00pm
1.0 CPEU
Description:
Learning Objectives:
Performance Indicators:
Speaker Bio:
Slides and Recording
Description:
Adolescent nutrition is a critical yet often overlooked area of research and clinical practice. Despite teenagers comprising a substantial portion of the population, less than 1.5% of research focuses on their unique nutritional needs. Data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) highlight significant nutritional gaps among adolescents, which can have profound effects on both their short-term and long-term health. As such, it is essential for clinicians to be well-prepared to support this vulnerable and rapidly evolving group. This presentation will explore these nutritional deficiencies and provide actionable insights for practitioners. Additionally, it will briefly touch upon the influence of social media on adolescent eating habits and offer practical tips for making positive dietary changes.
Learning Objectives:
- Identify common nutritional gaps among U.S. adolescents and explore strategies to address them effectively.
- Understand the impact of iron deficiency on pre-teen and teenage females in the U.S. and learn evidence-based ways to close this gap.
- Provide practical, evidence-based tips to teenagers and their families/caregivers to support healthy eating habits while addressing their unique challenges.
Performance Indicators:
- 9.1.5 Demonstrates knowledge of nutrient requirements throughout the lifespan, and their role in health promotion and disease prevention.
- 10.1.1. Demonstrates and applies age-appropriate education principles
- 11.2.8. Recommends biochemical tests and reviews results to support diagnoses and plans of care.
Speaker Bio:
Lauren Manaker is a registered and licensed dietitian with over two decades of experience in the field. She holds both a Bachelor’s and Master’s degree in nutrition and is also a Certified Lactation Educator-Counselor. She is based in Charleston, SC.
A three-time book author and recipient of multiple awards, including the prestigious Emerging Leader in Women’s Health award from the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, Lauren is a recognized voice in the nutrition world. Her expertise has been featured in numerous media outlets, including Eating Well, Good Housekeeping, Yahoo, and SELF. She is also a sought-after speaker, presenting to professional organizations on a variety of nutrition and wellness topics. She volunteers her time on the advisory board of the University of South Carolina dietetic internship, and loves acting as a preceptor for dietetic students.
A three-time book author and recipient of multiple awards, including the prestigious Emerging Leader in Women’s Health award from the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, Lauren is a recognized voice in the nutrition world. Her expertise has been featured in numerous media outlets, including Eating Well, Good Housekeeping, Yahoo, and SELF. She is also a sought-after speaker, presenting to professional organizations on a variety of nutrition and wellness topics. She volunteers her time on the advisory board of the University of South Carolina dietetic internship, and loves acting as a preceptor for dietetic students.
Slides and Recording
Tuesday, April 21st
Tues, April 21st
Advancing Patient Health & Provider Knowledge Through Culinary Medicine
Christina Badaracco, MPH, RDN, LDN
6:00pm - 7:00pm
1.0 CPEU
Christina Badaracco, MPH, RDN, LDN
6:00pm - 7:00pm
1.0 CPEU
Description
Learning Objectives
Performance Indicators
Speaker Bio:
Slides and Recording:
Description
Culinary medicine is a growing field of medicine that helps to bring nutrition education to life by blending the art of cooking with the science of medicine and translating recommendations into sustainable behavior change. Nutrition professionals are uniquely equipped to develop, lead, and innovate in these programs to provide patient-centered, culturally competent, evidence-based care. Our expertise can also serve to educate and equip other multidisciplinary colleagues about healthy cooking as a clinical intervention through culinary medicine programs. Christina will present an overview of this exciting field, examples of innovators who are leading programs in clinical practice and health professional education in diverse settings across the country, its growing evidence base, effective means to convey their value to decision makers, and recommended resources for developing your own program or partnering with one that may already exist in your own community or practice setting.
Learning Objectives
1. Recognize and describe the field of culinary medicine and its role in patient-centered care.
2. Identify key clinical and non-clinical partners to support culinary medicine program development, implementation, and evaluation.
3. Identify potential funding sources, billing, and care models to utilize to facilitate culinary medicine program implementation and sustainability.
2. Identify key clinical and non-clinical partners to support culinary medicine program development, implementation, and evaluation.
3. Identify potential funding sources, billing, and care models to utilize to facilitate culinary medicine program implementation and sustainability.
Performance Indicators
- 3.3.1 Identifies needs for and negotiates common ground with clients, inter- and intra-professional team members, and other stakeholders.
- 9.5.4 Takes into consideration client/patient choices, beliefs, food sensitivities, allergies, and accessibility and affordability of food.
- 13.2.4 Identifies available resources and global, national, institutional and local funding models to support planning.
Speaker Bio:
Christina Badaracco, MPH, RDN, LDN, works as a healthcare consultant, author, and thought leader, seeking to advance the role of nutrition in healthcare. She applies her expertise in healthcare and public health research, policy, and practice to support leading institutions and organizations across the world to improve care delivery and health outcomes. She also regularly writes, teaches, and develops trainings and programs about nutrition, culinary medicine, and sustainable agriculture—including designing and directing award-winning and innovative culinary medicine trainings and programs for various healthcare institutions and professional associations and coauthoring Mix It Up: The Culinary Medicine Cookbook for Mixing Things up in the Kitchen and The Farm Bill: A Citizen’s Guide. Christina previously worked for Avalere, a healthcare advisory firm, as well as the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Teaching Kitchen Collaborative, Oakland Unified School District, and NIH Clinical Center. Christina holds various leadership roles within Slow Food and the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics (including as the immediate past-president of DCMAND) and she is actively engaged in her local food and healthcare systems. Christina was named an Outstanding Dietitian of the Year by the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics.
Slides and Recording:
Hydration Matters: The Hidden Key to Feeling and Performing Your Best | Sponsored
Dr. Stavros Kavouras, FNAK, FACSM, FECSS
7:00pm - 8:00pm
1.0 CPEU
Dr. Stavros Kavouras, FNAK, FACSM, FECSS
7:00pm - 8:00pm
1.0 CPEU
Description
Learning Objectives
Performance Indicators
Speaker Bio:
Slides and Recording:
Description
This lecture will take you on an engaging journey into the powerful role hydration will play in human health and performance. We will explore how the body will regulate fluid balance behind the scenes and why even mild dehydration may influence energy levels, focus, mood, and long-term health. Drawing from recent hydration research, the session will translate emerging science into clear, practical insights that can be applied immediately. We will provide insight into the newest Dietary Guidelines, with special attention to dairy foods and their role in healthy hydration patterns. The lecture will also examine hydration in youth, particularly in the context of sports performance, growth, and recovery. A key focus will compare dairy’s hydrating qualities with other popular youth and sports beverages, highlighting how milk and other dairy options can contribute not only fluids, but also essential nutrients that support performance and overall health. By the end of the session, you will see hydration not as a simple habit, but as a strategic foundation for lifelong health and performance.
Learning Objectives
- Explain the physiological mechanisms regulating hydration, underhydration and optimal hydration.
- Evaluate the epidemiological evidence linking underhydration with chronic disease.
- Explain key messages from the latest Dietary Guidelines and compare the hydrating qualities of dairy products with popular youth and sports beverages, particularly in relation to youth health and sports performance.
Performance Indicators
- 5.1.2 – Interprets and integrates evidence-based research and literature in decision-making
- 9.1.1 – Interprets and applies evidence-based literature and standards for determining nutritional needs of target audiences
- 10.3.1 – Critically reviews and selects materials from credible sources to support development of nutrition education resources
Speaker Bio:
Dr. Stavros Kavouras is Professor of Nutrition and Assistant Dean at Arizona State University, where he directs the Hydration Science Lab. His research explores how fluid intake impacts health and performance. Recognized among the world’s top 2% most cited scientists, he has authored 170+ publications with over 13,000 citations and delivered lectures in 30+ countries. His work focuses on hydration, thermoregulation, performance, diabetes, and cardiometabolic health. Dr. Kavouras is a Fellow of the National Academy of Kinesiology, ACSM, and ECSS, and a member of the American Society for Nutrition and the American Physiological Society.
Slides and Recording:
Wednesday, April 22nd
Wednesday, April 22nd
Artichokes - Zucchini: Solution for "I Don't Eat Vegetables (or Beans)"
Melissa Bernstein, PhD, RDN, LD, FAND, DipACLM, FACLM, FNAP &
Meryl Fury, MS, RN
6:00-7:00pm
1.0 CPEU
Melissa Bernstein, PhD, RDN, LD, FAND, DipACLM, FACLM, FNAP &
Meryl Fury, MS, RN
6:00-7:00pm
1.0 CPEU
|
|
Description
Learning Objectives
Performance Indicators
Speaker Bio:
Slides and Recording:
Description
Diet-related chronic diseases and associated healthcare costs are growing at alarming rates in pediatric populations. Beyond medical diagnoses and the financial impact, American children are reaping the consequences of a broken food environment. Disease prevention, treatment and reversal is possible using Food as Medicine. School nutrition directors and chefs can effectively work with children to significantly impact diet quality, food and nutrition security, health outcomes, healthcare utilization and costs. Interprofessional teams that include RDNs and RNs are positioned to support school nutrition programs to ensure children and families have the opportunity to reach their potential and be active and empowered participants in their own nutrition journey.
Learning Objectives
1. Appraise the evidence supporting the benefits of a Food as Medicine, in promoting health and for the prevention, treatment and reversal of chronic diseases in children
2. Explain how school nutrition directors and chefs can take a leadership role as part of the nutrition team in educating and empowering children and their families to adopt healthy eating patterns
3. State examples of opportunities to introduce more whole, minimally processed plant foods into children’s diets as part of actionable FAM interventions
2. Explain how school nutrition directors and chefs can take a leadership role as part of the nutrition team in educating and empowering children and their families to adopt healthy eating patterns
3. State examples of opportunities to introduce more whole, minimally processed plant foods into children’s diets as part of actionable FAM interventions
Performance Indicators
2.2 Reflects in the delivery, management or education of nutrition care and services an understanding of the impact of differing life experiences, beliefs, values, skills, religion, and cultural norms to effectively interact with, respect, and support the needs of individuals or populations.
3.3 Collaborates with inter- and intra-professional team members to achieve common goals and to optimize delivery of services.
4.3 Advocates for nutrition and dietetics services and resources for clients and populations
3.3 Collaborates with inter- and intra-professional team members to achieve common goals and to optimize delivery of services.
4.3 Advocates for nutrition and dietetics services and resources for clients and populations
Speaker Bio:
Melissa Bernstein is an Associate Professor and Chair of the Department of Nutrition at Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine. As an international speaker and educator, she is passionate about educating students and healthcare professionals on the importance of food as medicine for improving health outcomes and quality of life; for which she was recognized as one of Today’s Dietitians ‘Top 10 Dietitians Making a Difference’ in 2025. Dr. Bernstein has co-authored 6 nutrition textbooks, and has contributed, authored, and reviewed textbook chapters and peer-reviewed journal publications. She participates on numerous advisory and review boards including the board of editors for the Nutrition Care Manual and nutrition editor for the American Journal of Lifestyle Medicine and associate editor for Frontiers in Nutrition. A former member of the Board of Directors for the American College of Lifestyle Medicine, Dr Bernstein continues to actively serve on several committees including as chair of the Education Committee and the Nutrition Messaging Task Force.
Meryl Fury, MS, RN, is the President and CEO of the Plant Based Nutrition Movement (PBNM) and a lifelong advocate for health equity.
With 30 years of experience in public health nursing, she now focuses on the transformative power of whole-food, plant-based nutrition.
Meryl is the visionary behind the 6 Million Seeds child nutrition project and Culinary Medicine 4 Sickle Cell Warriors.
A leader within the American College of Lifestyle Medicine, she sits on multiple advisory boards and works tirelessly to bridge the gap between nutrition and wellness for the world’s most vulnerable populations.
Meryl Fury, MS, RN, is the President and CEO of the Plant Based Nutrition Movement (PBNM) and a lifelong advocate for health equity.
With 30 years of experience in public health nursing, she now focuses on the transformative power of whole-food, plant-based nutrition.
Meryl is the visionary behind the 6 Million Seeds child nutrition project and Culinary Medicine 4 Sickle Cell Warriors.
A leader within the American College of Lifestyle Medicine, she sits on multiple advisory boards and works tirelessly to bridge the gap between nutrition and wellness for the world’s most vulnerable populations.
Slides and Recording:
Pause Before Posting: Social Media with Professional Practice in Mind
Drew Hemler, MSc, RD, CDN, FAND
7:00-8:00pm
1.0 CPEU
Drew Hemler, MSc, RD, CDN, FAND
7:00-8:00pm
1.0 CPEU
Description
Learning Objectives
Performance Indicators
Speaker Bio:
Slides and Recording:
Description
Social media is a viable communications and marketing strategy for dietitians to build an audience, engage with online communities, support public health, promote services, and demonstrate expertise. Even on virtual platforms such as Instagram, TikTok and the like, dietitians are bound to ethical & professional practice. Thus, online activities should be carefully considered and through a lens of context & care.
Learning Objectives
1. Apply three Standards of Professionalism to social media activities.
2. Identify at two common instances of unethical practice on social media.
3. Approach online conflicts with respect & care.
2. Identify at two common instances of unethical practice on social media.
3. Approach online conflicts with respect & care.
Performance Indicators
Ethics: 1.2.1, 1.2.5, 1.3.1
Communications: 3.1.5, 3.2.2
Critical Thinking and Decision Making: 5.2.6
Communications: 3.1.5, 3.2.2
Critical Thinking and Decision Making: 5.2.6
Speaker Bio:
Drew Hemler is dual registered dietitian providing professional practice, continuing education, and tech consulting services for individual, non-profit & corporate clientele throughout Canada & the U.S. Drew serves as a faculty member of Buffalo State University’s undergraduate Dietetics and graduate Multidisciplinary Studies programs, helping build student & practitioner know-why & know-how in scope, standards, and ethics in dietetics practice.
Drew has served as an education, communications & strategic planning member, consultant, and volunteer for local, state & national dietetic organizations since 2013, working with the Commission on Dietetic Registration, the Academy’s Committee for Lifelong Learning, the College of Dietitians of Ontario, Dietitians of Canada, and the New York State Academy of Nutrition & Dietetics. He celebrates dietitians in all areas of practice and is a proud, active Fellow of our Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics.
Drew has served as an education, communications & strategic planning member, consultant, and volunteer for local, state & national dietetic organizations since 2013, working with the Commission on Dietetic Registration, the Academy’s Committee for Lifelong Learning, the College of Dietitians of Ontario, Dietitians of Canada, and the New York State Academy of Nutrition & Dietetics. He celebrates dietitians in all areas of practice and is a proud, active Fellow of our Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics.
Slides and Recording:
Questions? Email [email protected]
Thank you to our sponsors!
|
|