Registered Dietitians are on the front lines of our battle against obesity.  They work everyday to help people understand the importance of balancing diet and exercise – not necessarily an easy task in this junk-food, drive-thru world.  Some of them are really good at it – including our own Adrienne Udarbe and Maricopa County’s Trudes Rodriquez.  The Arizona Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics recognized their work at its annual meeting in June.

Adrienne was honored as the Emerging Dietetics Leader for 2012. Her work in the Champions for Change -Communities Putting Prevention to Work project demonstrated her leadership in mobilizing community networks to create sustainable changes to support healthy eating and active living throughout Arizona. She also represents the Arizona Academy as the Let’s Move Coordinator for Arizona and is known for the creativity and enthusiasm she brings to her work in the field of dietetics.

Trudes Rodriquez from tTrudes Rodrigues & Lynn Laddhe Maricopa County Department of Public Health was chosen as the Recognized Young Dietitian of the Year for the Academy’s Central District. Trudes is the Coordinator for the WIC Dietetic Internship and led the Coma Bien, Estar Bien Supermarket Program in collaboration with Food City stores. She also directed the county’s Women Together for Health Program that empowered women to make positive changes through nutrition and physical activity to prevent chronic disease. Since becoming an RD, Trudes has also earned an MBA, achieved certification in Adult Weight Management, has become a personal fitness trainer, breastfeeding counselor, and eating coach. 

True public health professionals.