Newswise — CHICAGO – The Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics congratulates registered dietitian nutritionist Susan Finn on her appointment to the National Commission on Hunger. A past president of the Academy, Finn was appointed to the Commission by Speaker of the United States House of Representatives, John Boehner. “We are so proud of Dr. Finn and are delighted to see her expertise recognized with her appointment to this prestigious commission,” said registered dietitian nutritionist and Academy President Dr. Glenna McCollum. “As a registered dietitian nutritionist, Dr. Finn is uniquely qualified for this important national leadership commission and will be essential to fighting hunger on a national level.”

The National Commission on Hunger was established as part the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2014 to develop a report on new strategies to solve the problem of hunger and food insecurity in America. The ten-member commission is charged with finding innovative ways to strengthen domestic anti-hunger policies and develop public-private partnerships.

“It is the position of the Academy that systematic and sustained action is needed to achieve food and nutrition security for all in the United States. To eliminate food insecurity, interventions are needed, including adequate funding for and increased utilization of food and nutrition assistance programs, inclusion of food and nutrition education in such programs, and innovative programs to promote and support individual and household economic self-sufficiency,” said McCollum. “It is wonderful that the National Commission on Hunger will bring attention to this problem and provide systematic and sustainable strategies to tackle it.”

As a registered dietitian nutritionist, Finn is a recognized leader and a respected communicator in the field of nutrition and health. She is known for her ability to build successful partnerships with academia, professional associations and the business community. Her efforts to promote improved health and quality of life for all levels of society have been acknowledged by her peers in healthcare and in the business world. She is a past president of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, past chair of the Academy’s Foundation, past president and CEO of the American Council for Fitness & Nutrition and was appointed by President George W. Bush to the President’s Council on Physical Fitness and Sports.

The Academy actively fights hunger in America, most recently through its work on the Healthy Hunger-Free Kids Act; supporting the Special Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children; and advocating for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program during the reauthorization of the Farm Bill.

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All registered dietitians are nutritionists – but not all nutritionists are registered dietitians. The Academy’s Board of Directors and Commission on Dietetic Registration have determined that those who hold the credential registered dietitian (RD) may optionally use “registered dietitian nutritionist” (RDN) instead. The two credentials have identical meanings.

The Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics is the world’s largest organization of food and nutrition professionals. The Academy is committed to improving the nation’s health and advancing the profession of dietetics through research, education and advocacy. Visit the Academy at www.eatright.org