NvAND Board 

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Voting Members

President
​Samantha M. Coogan, MS, RDN, CSSD, LD, FAND
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Sam earned her B.S. in Nutrition Sciences from UNLV in December 2011, then went on to earn her M.S. in Exercise Physiology in December 2013. She then passed the RD Exam in May of 2014. As DPND Director at UNLV, Sam is responsible for upholding and maintaining accreditation standards for the Nutrition Sciences DPND undergraduate degree program. She also teaches Sports Nutrition, Medical Nutrition Therapy, Community Nutrition, Food & Ethnic Issues, and Introduction to Human Nutrition at UNLV. She passed the national board exam for Certified Specialist in Sports Dietetics in February 2018, after extensive work with the UNLV football team for two seasons in which she was their sole, team dietitian. Sam also earned the distinguished honor of Academy Fellow, along with Emerging Dietetic Leader of the Year at the NvAND Annual Meeting in 2019. Sam loves strength training, metal music, comedy (especially Tom Segura) and is covered in tattoos.

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President-Elect
Dillon Martin, RDN, LD
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Hi my name is Dillon Martin and I am excited to be your President-Elect for 2019-2020. I graduated from UNLV and earned my registered dietitian license in 2018. I currently work at University Medical Center of Southern Nevada and also at Premise Health, a corporate health and wellness clinic. When I’m not calculating tube feeds or providing education on diabetes, I will be taking my daughters to gymnastics and fumbling with hair braids (my skills are improving). I'm also working myself back into endurance sports racing, which includes triathlons, marathons, and other events that last for more than a couple of hours.

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Past-President
Jake Yarberry​, RDN
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My name is Jake Yarberry and I am one of the Nutrition Manager's for the Dairy Council of Nevada. I have been a board member for the NvAND since 2016 and was previously a voting board member for the Southern Nevada Dietetic Association and for the Ryan White Part A Planning Council. I have finished my coursework and I am now working on my prospectus for my Masters in Public Health with an emphasis on Social and Behavioral health at UNLV. I am currently a community preceptor with UNLV and I am part of UNLV's internship committee. I am also, extremely fortunate to have an amazing wife, and two little boys that keep me busy doing dishes and picking up broken items every minute that I am at home. I am very passionate about our profession and about helping others reach their potential. Please, feel free to email me any questions...... if you don't get a response please continue to email me because sometimes I do get a little distracted.

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Treasurer 
Geetha Krishnan, MS, MA, RDN, CDE, LD
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I enjoy creating new healthy recipes.  I am very passionate about teaching consumers on Healthy eating and making it easy. Yoga, meditation are an integral part of my life. Public TV and radio are great sources of information for me. I always like understanding more about what's going on in rest of the world.

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Secretary 
Tiffani Nalivka, MS, RDN, LD
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Hi there! My name is Tiffani Nalivka and I am the Director of Food and Nutrition Services at Humboldt General Hospital located in Winnemucca. I love spending my time outside of work going on adventures with my husband, two young children and two chocolate labs. My family and I love to garden, go camping and hunting as well as travel when we can. I enjoy talking about food all day thus this career is a perfect fit. I look forward to serving as the Secretary of NvAND for the next two years.

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House of Delegate Representative
Mickey  Mazurowski, RDN, LD, LPTA, CLT
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Mickey ( Michelle) Mazurowski is co-owner of The Food Connection as well is the owner of Integrated Health and Wellness Center- a physical therapy clinic which is all located in Las Vegas. Mickey specializes in food sensitivities and all auto-immune responses. Combining physical therapy and nutrition throughout her career has helped many people gain functional improvements. Mickey enjoys traveling , running and hanging out at home with her fur babies.

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Public Policy Coordinator (PPC)
Kristina LaBouff, RDN, LD
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​​My name is Kristina LaBouff, I was born in southern California but grew up in Las Vegas and call it my home! I have been an RD for a little over 5 years and became a CNSC in 2014. I have been working at MountainView Hospital as a Clinical Dietitian since 2013 and have facilitated projects and developed policies to help improve patient care, particularly related to nutrition support (EN/PN). I have a passion for science and clinical dietetics. Outside of work I spend most of my time outdoors, rock climbing, trail running, and mountain biking. I LOVE FOOD, cooking, and coffee. I am excited to support our local dietetic association as secretary and look forward to the following year! 

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Nominating Committee Chair
Courtney Nalivka MS, RDN, LD
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My name is Courtney Nalivka and I was born and raised in Elko, NV. I earned my Bachelor’s Degree in Dietetics (‘08) and a Master’s Degree in Family and Consumer Sciences (‘10) from the University of Idaho. From there I moved back to Elko and worked as a Wellness Coach for a gold mine. In 2012 I accepted a position as a Clinical Dietitian at Northeastern Nevada Regional Hospital where I have been since. I am currently working on implementing a Malnutrition Initiative in the hospital setting. I have completed the Certificate of Training in Adult Weight Management Level 1 and Level 2. I am married and have a 2 ½ year old daughter with another daughter on the way in July 2017. In our free time we enjoy camping, hunting, having family dinners, and spending time with family and friends in Idaho, Oregon, and California.

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Non-Voting Members

Incoming Nominating Chair 
Sierra Kirby, MPH, RD
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Sierra grew up in Minnesota and is a new resident of Las Vegas. She earned her B.S. in Dietetics with a minor in Global Health from UW-Madison in 2016 and completed a coordinated Master of Public Health and dietetic internship from UMN-Twin Cities in 2018. As a Program Officer at the University of Nevada Cooperative Extension in Clark County, Sierra is responsible for supervising and implementing school wellness programs at Title 1 elementary schools. In her free time, Sierra loves to read, cook, hike and camp. Visiting every national park is at the top of her bucket list.

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Licensure Liaison/Consumer Protection Coordinator (PPC)
Laura Kruskall, PhD, RDN, CSSD, LD, FACSM, FAND
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Annual Meeting Chair
Laura Kruskall, PhD, RDN, CSSD, LD, FACSM, FAND
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Dr. Kruskall received her Master’s degree in Human Nutrition from Columbia University, her PhD in Nutrition from Penn State University, and is a Fellow of both the American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM) and Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics (AND). In addition, she is a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist, a Board Certified Specialist in Sports Dietetics, and holds a certification in Adult Weight Management, Level 2, from the Academy of Nutrition & Dietetics. She is currently the Director of the Dietetic Internship & Nutrition Center at UNLV. Her areas of expertise are sports nutrition, weight management, and medical nutrition therapy. Her research interests include the effects of nutrition or exercise intervention on body composition and energy metabolism. In addition to her duties at the university, Dr. Kruskall is a member of the Editorial Board for ACSM’s Health & Fitness Journal, is a Certified ACSM Health/Fitness Specialist, and is a nutrition consultant for Canyon Ranch Spaclub and Cirque du Soleil in Las Vegas.

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Sponsorship Chair
Patti Schill, RD
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Hello everyone! My name is Patricia and I am very excited to be your sponsorship chair. The focus of my career has been in the clinical field and I am currently a Clinical Nutrition Manager here in Las Vegas, Nevada. I enjoy seeing our profession grow and being a part of the change. In my spare time you will find me studying for my Masters, spending time with my family, staying active, or trying new recipes.

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Fundraising Chair
Alexandra Lopez, RD
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My name is Alexandra Lopez. I graduated from UNLV and am excited to be more involved in NvAND as Fundraising Chair! I have experience working in the food industry, community, and clinical settings. My long-term goal is to open my own restaurant. I enjoy traveling, yoga, barre, and taking pictures of my food.

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State Media Representative/PR Chair
Melissa Fleetwood, RDN, LD
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Melissa Fleetwood has worked as a Community Dietitian at Aid for AIDS of Nevada (AFAN); as an Adjunct Instructor at the College of Southern Nevada (CSN) and the University of Nevada Las Vegas (UNLV); and as a Culinary Nutrition Educator at the University of Nevada Cooperative Extension (UNCE-UNR). She is currently pursuing her Masters Degree in Communication Studies at UNLV. When not working or in school, she enjoys spending time with family and friends, practicing singing and piano, cooking new recipes, and going to the gym (HIIT). She loves to talk, catch her at the right moment, and you might never escape ;)

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Newsletter Editor
Lauren Goddard, RDN, LD
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Hi! My name is Lauren Goddard. I graduated from San Diego State University in 2017 with my Bachelor of Science in Foods and Nutrition. I moved to Las Vegas for my Dietetic Internship with UNLV at St. Rose Dominican Hospitals. Honestly, I fell in love with the community out here and my job with St. Rose. Nutrition and dietetics is my true passion and makes everyday feel rewarding. On my spare time you can find me outdoors at a park with my fiancé and fur baby. I also love baking with healthy swaps. I’ve always had the leadership bug and am so excited to get more involved in the NvAND community!

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Diversity Liaison
Sora Julie Lee, RDN, LD
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Hi! My name is Sora. I’m honored to be your new Diversity Liaison for next two years. I graduated from UNLV and worked with University of Cooperative Extension as Healthy Kids Festival coordinator. I currently work at Veterans Affairs Hospital in inpatient/outpatient setting. Fun fact about me: English is my third language which I’m most fluent in. Third language is the charm! I hope to serve our community with lots of opportunity for diversity!

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State Awards Chair 
Barbara Scott, RD, LD, MPH
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Barbara lives in Washoe Valley, a rural area just outside of Reno where she enjoys horseback riding, hiking and gardening. She also loves going to Hawaii as often as she can. Barb works in pediatrics, is faculty emerita from the UNR School of Medicine, and she is a member of the Washoe County Food Policy Council.

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State Regulatory Specialist (PPC)
Aurora Buffington, PhD, RDN
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​Aurora Buffington grew up in Sacramento, CA, served in the US Air Force for 10 years where she gained her love for food and travel, and landed in Las Vegas, NV. Now, after raising 4 boys with her husband and going back to school, she is an Assistant Professor and Public Health Nutrition Specialist at the University of Nevada Cooperative Extension. Her work is focused on transforming the food system into one that promotes health, sustainability, and resilience. Aurora graduated from the University of Nevada, Las Vegas with degrees in Nutrition Science, Exercise Physiology, and Public Health. As a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist, she has served in national, state and local professional organizations in a variety of roles, including President, Nominating Committee, Media Representative, and Mentoring Program Chair. Aurora teaches fitness classes at her local recreation center and enjoys sharing good food with friends and taking morning walks with her husband.

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State Policy Representative (PPC)
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Continuing Education Chair
Chase Eastman, RDN, LD
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Chase is a Registered Dietitian working on finishing his MS in Nutrition Sciences. Chase teaches Nutrition 121 at UNLV and works as a Per Diem Dietitian at Horizon Specialty Hospital.

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Reimbursement Representative (PPC)
Madeline Belaustegui, RDN, LD
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Maddy’s love for food started on her family’s farm in Deerfield, Wisconsin. Her childhood consisted of sports, horseback riding, and selling every vegetable imaginable at local farmers markets. With the guidance of her mother Amy, also a registered dietitian, Maddy chose to study at Viterbo University in La Crosse, Wisconsin. It was there that she met her Vegas-born husband. Maddy is currently the Director of Dietetics at Horizon Specialty Hospital in Las Vegas, Nevada. She serves as a preceptor to University of Nevada, Las Vegas dietetic interns and she is passionate about helping future dietitians find purpose in our field. She serves as the Reimbursement Representative for the Nevada Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics and she is a member of a state obesity care advocacy initiative, the STAR Program. In 2018 she started her own practice, Desert Dietitians. She hopes her future involves growing her business and empowering those with chronic diseases to improve their health while enhancing their relationship with food.

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Administrator
Lauri Egan, RDN, CPT
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Lauri Egan, Registered Dietitian and Certified Personal Trainer, has been helping people develop a healthy way of life that they love for over ten years. She uses her experience in nutrition, fitness, yoga, and life to help others identify their roadblocks to Loving Life Healthy. After building her own website for Egan Wellness, she started to become more involved with the web design for other health organizations. She found an interest in the organization and internet presence of groups promoting health. She dubs herself a connoisseur of great sunrises, dark chocolate and sidewalk chalk art. When not on the computer, she can be found strumming a guitar, creating impromptu workouts with her kids and, of course, cooking in the kitchen.