Members In Action
Research Dietitian
Abigail Raffner, PhD, RD, LD
Abigail is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Nutrition at Case Western Reserve University. Her research investigates how diet, particularly plant-based diets, influence intestinal inflammation and the gut microbiome in Crohn’s disease, translating preclinical discoveries into human clinical trials. Dr. Raffner has secured multiple NIH and industry-funded grants, including an NIH K01 award, and has authored more than 30 peer-reviewed publications. She has mentored over 100 students and serves in editorial and advisory roles for leading nutrition journals. Her work exemplifies scientific rigor, innovation, and mentorship, and serves to advance dietetic science and clinical practice while inspiring the next generation of nutrition researchers.
Recognized Dietitian of the Year Award (RDY)
Anna Busenburg, RD, CSP, LD, CLC
Anna is a dedicated registered dietitian with over a decade of experience in clinical nutrition. From 2011 to 2024, she specialized in neonatal and pediatric nutrition, focusing on maternal and infant health. After nearly 14 years in clinical care, Anna transitioned to a community- focused role, now serving as a nutrition affairs manager for the American Dairy Association Mideast. Beyond her professional role, Anna remains actively engaged with the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. She contributes to multiple committees within the Ohio Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, Pediatric Nutrition Practice Group, and the Committee for Lifelong Learning, furthering her dedication to advancing the field of nutrition.
Outstanding Contribution by a Non-member
University Hospitals Bionutrition Division
University Hospitals Bionutrition Division is housed at University Hospitals and is part of the NIH-funded Clinical and Translational Science Collaborative of Northern Ohio(CTSC), meeting the nutrition-related research needs of the researchers and clinicians at Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland Clinic, MetroHealth, University Hospitals, Louis Stokes Veterans Administration Medical Center, University of Toledo, and Northeast Ohio Medical University. The CTSC streamlines the research process and catalyzes the translation of research discoveries from bench to bedside to community. The Bionutrition Division’s reach extends far beyond CTSC member institutions, serving research teams across the country. It has been in operation for 35 years and has collected tens of thousands of dietary recalls since its inception.
Member Merit
Carrie Hamady, EdD, MS, RD, LD, FAND
Carrie exemplifies leadership, innovation, and dedication in the field of nutrition and dietetics. As the Director of the Undergraduate Program in Nutrition and Dietetics Public and Allied Health at Bowling Green State University, she shaped the future of the profession through excellence in education and mentorship. Dr. Hamady's expertise spans clinical nutrition, sustainability, food insecurity, and informatics. Her accolades include the Outstanding Dietetic Educator Award from OAND and ACEND’s North Central Region, the Faculty Excellence Award for Community-Based Teaching, and the Academic Advising and Mentoring Excellence Award from BGSU. Dr. Hamady's service to the profession is equally impressive, including her leadership as Chair of the Academy’s Nutrition Informatics Committee and Co-Chair of the Ohio Nutrition and Dietetic Educators and Preceptors Group, and most recently President of OAND. While in the role of Membership Chair and Council on Professional Issues Chair-Elect for OAND, she tirelessly advances the organization’s mission. Her unwavering commitment to innovative teaching and community impact makes her a deserving honoree for the OAND Member Merit.
Recognized Young Dietitian of the Year (RYDY)
Lizzy Traxler, MS, RD
Lizzy completed her combined dietetic internship at University Hospitals (UH) Cleveland Medical Center and Master’s Degree at Case Western Reserve University in 2021. She started her career as a UH Outpatient Dietitian, where she grew her education and counseling skills. In 2024, she joined the UH CINEMA clinic, an interdisciplinary team approach to reducing risk factors of cardiovascular disease. She guides patients in creating healthy behavior change, providing lifestyle education via Zoom calls, teaching lunch and learn cooking classes and leading group health coaching meetings. She obtained her Certified Diabetes Educator and Care Specialist and National Board Certified Health and Wellness Coach Certifications to advance her expertise. Lizzy has heavily been involved with her local affiliation, GCAND, by volunteering in several roles including past president.
Recognized Young Dietitian of the Year (RYDY)
Alicyn Dickman, MDN, RD, LD, CNSC
Alicyn strives for excellence in clinical dietetics, research, and public health. She has provided medical nutrition therapy to pediatric populations and has contributed to international food safety initiatives. Her leadership and involvement span multiple professional organizations including AND, OAND, CDA, ASN, and IAFP. Alicyn has authored numerous publications and educational resources in addition to earning prestigious fellowships and scholarships. She is currently pursuing a PhD in Human Nutrition at The Ohio State University, where she continues to mentor students and develop evidence-based nutrition interventions to advance the dietetic profession and human health.
Recognized Dietetic Technician of the Year Award (RDTY)
Sami Hupp, NDTR
Sami is a passionate nutrition professional dedicated to advancing the visibility and leadership of Nutrition and Dietetics Technicians, Registered (NDTRs). She currently serves as a Nutrition Care Technician at The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center and is the President of the Columbus Dietetic Association. Through her platform, Beta Carrot Teen, Sami mentors emerging NDTRs, develop leadership workshops, and advocates for professional growth within the field. She has presented at the Ohio Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics Annual Conference, the Food & Nutrition Conference & Expo, and multiple professional events highlighting NDTR scope and impact. Sami’s work blends clinical expertise, education, and innovation to empower nutrition professionals and elevate patient care across diverse settings.
Emerging Dietetic Leader
Megan Cashman, MS, RDN, LD
Megan is a dedicated leader in the Department of Veterans Affairs MOVE! Weight Management program. She is passionate about helping Veterans across Northeast Ohio to take charge of their health, improve their fitness, and reach meaningful weight loss goals. Through leadership, compassion, and an innovative approach, she empowers Veterans daily to make lasting lifestyle changes. Megan combines evidence-based practice with genuine care to help both Veterans and colleagues that she serves.
Outstanding Dietetic Student
Mary Proctor
Mary is a second-year student in the accelerated OSU Master of Dietetics and Nutrition program at Ohio State. Mary completed her bachelor’s degree at Ohio State, studying human nutrition and Spanish linguistics and will graduate with her master’s degree this May. She is the Nisonger Center LEND Program medical dietetics trainee and has held leadership positions in the Student Dietetic Association, H2O Church, and in her job working for the campus dining dietitian at Ohio State. Mary is passionate about impacting the way children relate to food and their bodies and hopes to pursue a career in clinical pediatric dietetics. In her spare time, Mary loves to play volleyball, experiment with recipes, and enjoy creation through running and hiking.
Outstanding Dietetic Student
Owen Miranda
Owen, a native of Olmsted Falls, is a motivated dietetics student with a strong commitment to community health and nutrition education. Known for his academic excellence and critical-thinking skills, he applies nutrition concepts effectively through experiential learning and practical opportunities. Owen serves as Co-Chair of the Student Dietetic Association’s Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Committee, where he leads initiatives that strengthen cultural awareness within the profession. He has further developed his applied nutrition skills through the Sports Nutrition Group and by teaching cooking and nutrition to children in local programs. Owen also represented the Greater Cleveland Food Bank in a televised interview. Outside the classroom, he enjoys playing pickleball. He plans to pursue graduate studies and supervised practice to become a registered dietitian.
Outstanding Dietetic Student
Emma Sagers
Emma is currently a dietetic intern at University Hospitals Cleveland Medical Center. She earned both her bachelor’s degree in nutrition and her Master’s in dietetics from Southern Utah University. After moving to Ohio, she became involved with the Greater Cleveland Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, where she serves as the social media chair. Throughout her studies and internship, Emma has balanced multiple roles in nutrition, including working as a clinical diet tech and now as a call center diet clerk. Alongside her professional and academic responsibilities, she has also continued to operate her small sewing business the entire time. Emma looks forward to completing her internship and beginning her career as a registered dietitian.
Outstanding Dietetic Student
Ryan Messenger
Ryan has a background in kinesiology and dietetics. He is a dietetic intern and Master’s student at Miami University in Oxford, Ohio. Over the course of 16 months, he has been able to balance his 1000 hours of supervised experience in combination with receiving his Masters degree while also devoting at least 20 hours per week to being a graduate assistant teaching undergraduate courses and assisting faculty. He is always willing to take on responsibilities on behalf of the entire Miami dietetic internship program and has served as a role model for undergraduate dietetics students. Ryan is passionate about all things nutrition and movement, but is eager to begin his career as a registered dietitian nutritionist in sports nutrition.
President’s Award
Judy Kaplan, MS, RD, LD
Judy is currently working as Adjunct Faculty at Cuyahoga Community College, Cleveland, Ohio. Previously, she served as Program Director for the Dietetic Technology and Dietary Manager Programs at the institution, a role which she held for over fifteen years. Judy’s career has spanned multiple areas of practice, including Foodservice Management, School Nutrition and in Hospice and Palliative Care. Judy has been involved in leadership at all levels of the profession for the past twenty years. She served OAND as President, President-elect, and Past President (2021-2024) and COPI and COPI-elect (2015-2017). She has held multiple leadership positions within the Greater Cleveland Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics (GCAND), including COPI, COPI-electing, Nominating Committee Member, and Legislative Chair (2010-2020). Judy has represented our state at a national level through her work with ACEND as Program Representative, Diet Tech, Chair of the Standards Committee, member of the DEI Task Force, and Program Reviewer (2012-2023).
Outstanding Dietetic Educator
Catherine McManus, PhD, RDN, LD
Catherine serves as the Vice Chair for Education in the Department of Nutrition at Case Western Reserve University, where she plays a pivotal role in shaping the next generation of health professionals. Beyond her own classroom, Dr. McManus mentors teaching faculty across the department, helping them refine their pedagogy and enhance the way complex dietetic and nutritional science is disseminated to students. As an educator, she has developed numerous foundational courses for nutrition and dietetics. Her teaching philosophy is defined by a commitment to ensuring graduates possess not only rigorous clinical knowledge but also the critical soft skills essential for long-term career success. This dedication to student growth earned her the prestigious Carl F. Wittke Award for Excellence in Undergraduate Teaching. Her leadership roles include: Vice Chair of the Academy of Nutrition & Dietetics Expert Panel Committee on Type 1 Diabetes, Nutrition Advisor for the American Diabetes Association’s Nutrition Science and Metabolism Committee, and Co-Chair of the Teaching Kitchen Collaborative’s Research Committee. Through these roles and many others, she continues to bridge the gap between academic excellence and real-world clinical impact.
Outstanding Dietetic Educator
Julie Jones, MS, RDN, LD, CPTD
Julie serves as the Director of Performance Learning for Ruck-Shockey Associates, an operational consulting firm specializing in food service and leadership development. She is also an adjunct faculty member at The Ohio State University, where she teaches healthcare foods service management, nutrition entrepreneurship, and leadership in the graduate dietetics program. An experienced food service leader, Julie led the award-winning Food and Nutrition Services team at The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center for 15 years. During her tenure, she cultivated high-performing teams and championed innovation—earning national recognition, including the Silver Plate Award for Healthcare Foodservice. She also served as President of the Association for Healthcare Foodservice. After retiring from her operational role, Julie pursued an encore career focused on helping others achieve their potential, find their fit, and thrive in their work. She is the author of Design Your Thrive: Career Crossroads Edition, a reflective workbook that guides individuals in navigating career transitions with purpose. A certified professional in talent development, Julie brings her expertise in performance learning, course design, and online education to help clients and students alike grow their skills, confidence, and impact. A two-time graduate of Ohio State and recipient of the university’s teaching endorsements in backward design and online learning, Julie proudly calls herself a “Buckeye for Life.”
