One of Utah’s own dietitians, Joyce Buhler, is serving this year as the House of Delegates representative for the Medical Nutrition Practice Group AND DPG.  We’re pleased to introduce her to you today and thrilled she agreed to be in the spotlight. Thank you for everything that you do Joyce!

• What is your current position in your DPG and what does it involve?

I am the Medical Nutrition Practice Group delegate to the Academy’s House of Delegates.  The House of Delegates functions as a resource and advisor to the AND board of directors.  The HOD meets twice each year – prior to FNCE and again in a virtual meeting in the spring.  Each AND affiliate and DPG is represented.  The DPG delegates duties includes gathering information from its constituents, communicating with them about professional issues and representing the member’s ideas, concerns, and opinions regarding the dietetics profession.  I gather and distribute this information through the DPG board meetings, our newsletter, website, and other electronic communications. 

• What do you enjoy most about your DPG affiliation? 

I work as the sole dietitian at Ashley Valley Medical Center in Vernal, Utah. I have missed the networking opportunities and camaraderie I enjoyed when I worked with other RDs.  It has been so much fun to gather friends around the country as we have worked together in the MNPG leadership.

• Have you served in any other positions for UAND or the Academy? If so, what were they?

Early in my career while working in the Salt Lake Valley, I participated actively in UDA. Once we moved to more remote parts of Utah, this was not possible.

During my youngest child’s senior year of high school, I went to a DPG activity at FNCE. Volunteers are always needed – and I was recruited. The timing was perfect. I started as the nominating committee chair for this DPG, then public policy representative, committee assignments, chair-elect, & chair.  I also served as the newsletter editor for 4 years. This was time consuming & difficult, yet rewarding. I am currently serving on an AND committee in addition to my HOD work: the Nutrition Care Process – Standardized Language Committee.  

• What is your current “day job”?

I am the clinical dietitian, food service consultant & diabetes educator at Ashley Regional Medical Center.  I am also a certified pump trainer for one of the insulin pump companies.

• What was your first job as a dietitian?

I started working at St. Mark’s Hospital just 2 weeks before its location was moved from downtown to its current location.  

• What is your favorite recipe or food tradition?

Simply cooking for my family when I have the chance. We have three children, 2 grandchildren and a daughter-in-law (who is an RD). Our daughter works and lives in the DC area, one son is in the military stationed in Hawaii, and our son with his RD wife & daughters recently moved to the Salt Lake Valley from Oregon.  When we are together, I enjoy planning & preparing the meals – whether their old favorite dishes or new recipes.

• What advice do you have for young dietitians?

Find time at some point in your adult life to volunteer with the Academy, UAND or another nutrition group.  My academic advisor in college served in many ADA capacities and my internship director was ADA president during my internship, so I had topnotch mentors.   

• What do you wish you would have known when you first became a dietitian?

Nutrition is a relatively new and ever evolving science. We must be open-minded and flexible as we attempt to practice in an evidenced based manner.