ABOUT CAND

CAND boasts being the oldest dietetic association in the world, having met for the first time on October 27, 1916 making it one year older than the Academy.

In 1919 the name was changed to the Chicago Dietetic Association and its membership was opened to women of the profession outside of the hospital field. The organization began publishing quarterly bulletins in 1924; a tool believed to be fore-runner of the ANK Journal which appeared in 1925.

One of the greatest accomplishments of CAND (in cooperation with members of South Suburban Dietetic Association) has been the creation of the Manual of Clinical Dietetics, written and regularly revised during the 1980s and 1990s. Physicians and dietitians alike came to rely on this wealth of knowledge and over the years it evolved into the gold standard of dietetic practice.

Our name was changed once more in 2013 to the Chicago Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics and the organization continues as advocate for the Registered Dietitian. Our members represent a wide variety of practice areas and the association is committed to lobbying for the purpose of including the Registered Dietitian as the Nutrition Expert in all legislative areas. Our organization proudly remains committed to providing education, networking, advocacy and publishing opportunities for each of our members.

-Marie Ross, Past President

Our Vision

Optimize the nation’s health through food and nutrition.

Our Mission

Empower members to be the nation’s food and nutrition leaders.

Our Commitment

The Chicago Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics (CAND), founded in 1916, operates as an affiliate of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, and is committed to supporting and advancing health and nutrition for all communities. This statement outlines CAND’s policy position on promoting equitable access to nutrition resources and advocating for policies that improve public health outcomes.

Our Position

CAND supports policies and initiatives that provide access to health, improving nutrition security, and strengthening community well-being. CAND believes that access and affordability of nutrient-dense food is imperative for the prevention and management of diet-related diseases and for advancing health equity.

Our Policy Action Plans

CAND recommends the following actions to improve health and nutrition outcomes:

  • Support Community- Based Nutrition Initiatives

    Support initiatives and programs that provide access to nutrient dense and affordable food for the whole community.

  • Advocate for Policy Change

    Work with policymakers to advance local and state policies to increase access to nutrition services and reduce health disparities.

  • Enhance Nutrition Education and Outreach

    Support school and community-based programs that nurture food literacy, health eating habits, and nutrition guidance.

  • Advocate for Policy Change

    Promote Food as Medicine programs, including produce prescription programs and medically purpose-built meals, to improve individual and population health.

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The Chicago Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics urges policymakers, healthcare providers, educators and community organizations to support initiatives that provide and advance nutrition security and improve the state of public health.

Board of Directors

President

Cintia Gonzaga Pickel

President-Elect

Francisco Rivera

Treasurer

Jessica Moehling

Treasurer-Elect

Renea

Secretary

Danielle Mach

Historian

Melaney Irving

Committees

Social Media &
Communications

Francisco Rivera , Co-Chair
Jessica Gonzalez, Co-Chair

Awards and Scholarships

Claire Harper I Co-Chair

Kelly Ziemkiewicz I Co-Chair

Newsletter

OPEN, Co-Chair

Events & Sponsorship

Francisco Rivera, Chair
Cintia Gonzaga Pickel, Sponsorship Lead

Membership

Lisa Arteaga, Co-Chair
Bethany Brown, Co-Chair

Nominating

Ilana Nurko, Co-Chair
Emily Kuettel, Co-Chair
Cintia Gonzaga Pickel, President

Legislation

Cintia Gonzaga Pickel, Co-Chair

Bethany Brown, Co-Chair

Past President’s Council

Celine Reyes

Melaney Irving

Amy K Moore

Tina Lam

Sara Casey

Sarah Olender
Christine Weidman
Melissa Prest
Brooke Schantz
Jamie Shifley
Kelly Ziemkiewicz
Barbara Fine
Roberta Cooper-Meyer
Marie Ross

Strategic Planning

Francisco Rivera, Chair

Bylaws

Kelly Ziemkiewicz Chair

Community Outreach

, Co-Chair
OPEN, Co-Chair
Cintia Gonzaga Pickel, Industry Liason