This is the highest honor bestowed on a member by the Texas Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics and honors a Texas dietitian who has made outstanding and significant contributions to the Texas Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, as well as to the profession of dietetics. The award recognizes commitment to excellence and leadership made by an individual to advance the dietetics profession.

Andie shared, “One lesson the nutrition and dietetics field has taught me is that our work goes far beyond nutrients and numbers, it is about listening, connection, serving compassionately with heart, and using science not only to empower behavior change, but to help gift people back their health, their confidence, and ultimately, their life.”

Andie’s most proud accomplishments include:

  • Honoring my family and community through my journey in education and leadership. As a first-generation college student from Palmview, South Texas, I carry the pride and unwavering support of my family with me in every step of my career. From completing graduate school to earning my PhD, each milestone represents many “firsts” for my family and community. I am deeply proud to represent where I come from and to open doors so that I will not be the only one to achieve these milestones.

  • Co-founding Complete Nutrition Solutions LLC, where I have been able to expand access to culturally responsive, evidence-based nutrition care in South Texas while mentoring students and collaborating with healthcare providers to integrate nutrition more fully into patient care.
  • Contributing to peer-reviewed scholarship that advances nutrition education and health equity, including publications in Migrant Farmworker children health, expanding nutrition education across healthcare professionals, and Latino health.

The Texas Academy Distinguished Scientist Award honors a Texas Dietitian, who has made outstanding and significant contributions to research in the field of dietetics, nutrition, food science or related sciences. The research should be basic or applied, of recent origin and conducted in Texas.

Laura shared, “One lesson the nutrition and dietetics field has taught me is that the most transformative solutions emerge when diverse professionals come together with a shared purpose. Collaboration among researchers, clinicians, and frontline providers turns nutrition into a catalyst for innovation, equity, and better care for our most vulnerable patients.”

Laura’s most proud accomplishments include:

  • Served as Chair of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics Quality Management Committee (2024-2025)
  • Served as study coordinator for the compassionate-use protocol for Omegaven lipid injectable emulsion at Texas Children’s Hospital, with clinical data contributing to the FDA’s 2018 approval for pediatric patients with parenteral nutrition-associated cholestasis.
  • Received the Recognized Neonatal RDN Award from the Pediatric Nutrition Practice Group of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics in 2021.
  • Provided national leadership as Secretary and Director-At-Large for the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics Foundation, advancing philanthropic initiatives for the profession.
  • Mentoring dietitian colleagues, students, and medical trainees in nutrition research and quality improvement, fostering curiosity and building research capacity to advance nutrition science.

The Texas Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics Bluebonnet Award honors an individual who is not a dietitian, but who has made a significant contribution to the promotion, recognition or progress of nutrition and dietetics in Texas. The nominee will have demonstrated goodwill through notable state service, promoted registered dietitian nutritionists and nutrition and dietetics technicians, registered, as contributors to the optimal health and nutritional status of the public and aided in the advancement of the profession and the Academy. The nominee may be active in public policy, public service, research, media or other areas that impact nutrition and dietetics.

Jaclyn shared, “One lesson the nutrition and dietetics field has taught me is the importance of broad collaboration that inspires us to create longer tables as we work to solve the many health and societal problems related to food. When we share a meal, we share our vision, expertise, and ability to make it happen together.”

Jaclyn’s most proud accomplishments include:

  • Founding Associate Program Director for a new residency program
  • Founding Co-Director for the Culinary Medicine Program at UT Southwestern
  • Founding Co-Director for the 1st Culinary Medicine Clinical Service Line and publication of results in the New England Journal Of Medicine Catalyst, Innovations in Care Delivery
  • Deep partnership with community leaders across food banks, faith-based organizations, and schools to empower work that elevates nutrition for everyone
  • Appointment and election as Chair of the new Texas Nutrition Advisory Committee

The Texas Academy Outstanding Nutrition Education Award honors a Registered Dietitian/Registered Dietitian Nutritionist who has made a major contribution to the field of nutrition education, has pioneered or advanced new concepts, applied studies, innovative teaching methods or means of reaching the public or professionals. The award winner has also demonstrated leadership in the nutrition field and has demonstrated accuracy in the created content.

Angie shared, “One lesson the nutrition and dietetics field has taught me is that there is no one-size-fits-all approach to health; individual needs, cultures, and lived experiences always matter”

Angie’s most proud accomplishments include:

  • Being part of the leadership to design and open a new Health Science Building on the TWU campus that promotes Interprofessional learning
  • Revising DPD Program to have 10 elective hours, making it a little less prescriptive and allowing students to include areas of interests
  • Creating TWUs Summer Nutrition Culinary Camps as part of community outreach and student engagement opportunities
  • As a Director of Food Nutrition and Food Service in hospitals- leading with 98% employee engagement
  • Being part of opening new hospitals such as Presby Allen and Baylor Frisco- innovation at that time in Patient Room Service Menus

The Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics recognizes the competence and activities of younger dietitians in the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics and to encourage their continued participation in Academy affairs. This group will be an additional resource from which the leadership of the Association will develop – at the region, state and national levels.

Raul shared, “One lesson the nutrition and dietetics field has taught me is that nutrition touches just about every aspect of life and gives us an opportunity to work and excel across many industries.”

Raul’s most proud accomplishments include:

  • Speaking at FNCE last year
  • Developing and teaching our colleges AI fundamentals course
  • 2026 NDEP West Central Outstanding Dietetic Educator Award in the DPD category
  • This award!
  • Writing the feature article in the most recent NEHP Newsletter

The purpose of the Outstanding Dietetics Student Award program is to recognize the emerging leadership and achievement of students in ACEND-accredited dietetics education programs and encourage their participation in the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics.

Aida shared, “One lesson the nutrition and dietetics field has taught me is that food connects Every. Single. Person. No matter your age or situation, nutrition is a part of life! I love seeing how what we eat not only fuels our bodies, but also honors God and nourishes our spiritual health.”

Aida’s most proud accomplishments include:

  • Conducting a Bible Cooking Class for my Honors Capstone Project
  • Serving as president of the Texas Student Dietetics Association (TSDA) and Food and Nutrition Network (FNN)
  • Completed three study abroad programs (Italy, United Kingdom, Central Europe) with a fourth upcoming.
  • Research presentation at the National Collegiate Honors Council (NCHC) Conference in San Diego, California on “Child Abuse by Narcissistic Parents”
  • Received the Oraculi Scholar Peer Mentor Award from the TWU Honors Program as the inaugural recipient

The purpose of the Outstanding Dietetics Student Award program is to recognize the emerging leadership and achievement of students in ACEND-accredited dietetics education programs and encourage their participation in the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics.

Dania shared, “One lesson the nutrition and dietetics field has taught me is that the true power of nutrition lies in applying evidence-based recommendations in ways that are practical, equitable, and preventive, in order to improve long-term health outcomes across communities.”

Dania’s most proud accomplishments include:

  • Outstanding Dietetic Student Award Nomination and Selection
  • College of Health Professions Academic Excellence Award (2025)
  • Graduate Research Symposium Presentation – Presented “Impact of Dietary Practices During the First 1,000 Days of Life on Long-Term Obesity Development: A Systematic Review” at the 2025 Health Forward Student Conference research symposium.
  • Community Volunteer Work with SAND – Assisted in nutrition counseling, health education, and cooking demonstrations for underserved populations and UTRGV student-athletes.
  • Nutrition and Dietetics Experiential Learning – Gained hands-on experience in Mexico and the United States during undergraduate and graduate programs