Australia will take time-out today (Friday, March 14) to congratulate dietitians for the remarkable contribution they make to the community by celebrating the nation’s first Dietitian’s Day.
The Discipline of Nutrition and Dietetics in the School of Health Science at Flinders University has a proud history of providing high quality training to Australian dietitians and nutritionists for more than 30 years. Founded in 1977, the program is one of Australia’s longest-standing accredited dietetic training programs.
“We are committed to advancing the profession of dietetics through research, education, advocacy and close links with our professional association, the Dietitians Association of Australia, to improve the nation’s health,” Associate Professor Michelle Miller, Head of the Discipline of Nutrition and Dietetics, says.
Flinders offers undergraduate and postgraduate programs in dietetics, while research expertise spans nutrition and dietetic practice issues across the lifecycle, in close collaboration with other disciplines.
“Nutrition and Dietetics at Flinders boasts nine academic Accredited Practising Dietitians and one of the largest contingents of PhD-qualified academics in any dietetic training program in Australia, so we are well equipped to train Australia’s next generation of dietitians,” Associate Professor Miller says.
“We employ many experienced Accredited Practising Dietitians to support our research programs and also as clinical educators in the practice setting.
“In addition, the generous support of our colleagues throughout SA, the Northern Territory, Tasmania, rural Victoria, New South Wales and in Singapore is invaluable for classroom teaching and student placements.”
Notable alumni from Dietetics at Flinders include Dororthy Mackerras, Australia’s Chief Public Health Nutritionist at Food Standards Australia New Zealand, Professor Maria Makrides, Theme Leader at the South Australian Health and Medical Research Institute, Professor Lynne Cobiac, Director of the CSIRO Preventative Health Flagship and Professor Manny Noakes, co-author of the CSIRO Total Wellbeing Diet.
“We enjoy an international reputation for high quality training in Nutrition and Dietetics,” Associate Professor Miller says.
“National Dietitian’s Day is the perfect opportunity to celebrate and reflect on the innovative and important work dietitians have done and continue to do in Australia and around the world.”