Sponsorship
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Melissa Majumdar, MS, RD, CSOWM, LDN (Past Chair) is bariatric coordinator at Emory University Hospital Midtown. Majumdar served as Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics Spokesperson for six years and was chair of the ASMBS IH program planning committee. Majumdar is co-editor of the Pocket Guide to Bariatric Surgery, 3rd edition, and is the 2022 recipient of the ASMBSF Excellence in Nutrition Lead Award. Melissa lives near Atlanta with her husband and two kids where you can find her enjoying local beers and running. |
Member Services |
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Chelsea Price, MS, RD, LDN (Recruitment and Retention)
Chelsea has 8 years of experience in bariatric surgery. From dietitian to coordinator, she is now Director of Operations & Patient Experience for an ambulatory surgery center and surgeon-owned private practice. She ensures patient-centered care is the focus of all clinical decisions. Chelsea has a passion for mindful eating and incorporates realistic eating practices into her counseling for bariatric surgery patients.
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Rachel Vincent, RD< CSOWM, LDN (Pediatric Subunit Coordinator) is a Registered Dietitian and Certified Specialist in Obesity Weight Management. She completed a Bachelor’s in Food and Nutrition at the College of St Elizabeth and dietetic internship at NewYork Presbyterian Hospital. She has worked at several outpatient weight management programs over the past 10 years. Pediatric nutrition provides exciting opportunities for learning, creativity and fun for the past 3 years in her current role.
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Georgia Giannopoulos, MS, RD, NBC-HWC, CSOWM, CDN, SHRM-CP (Coaching & Wellness Subunit Chair) Georgia is an award-winning dietitian with over fifteen years of experience working in nutrition, health, and wellbeing at a top-ranked teaching hospital. She is a proud first-generation college graduate who holds a Bachelor of Science with Distinction in Research from Cornell University and a Master of Science from New York University. Georgia completed the NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital Dietetic Internship Program and the Mayo Clinic Wellness Coach Training Program. |
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Wynnifred Mercado Hoodis, MS, RDN, CSOWM, LD (Bariatric Subunit Coordinator) is a Senior Weight Management clinician at the Houston Methodist Center for Weight Loss & Bariatric Surgery in Houston, Texas. Wynnifred started her dietetics career in New Jersey in acute care and critical care working in a large hospital system and has years of experience in bariatric surgery. Most recently, Wynnifred was the Preceptor Director for NDEP for two terms, 2021-2025. In downtime, she enjoys Longhorn football games and making travel plans.
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Alliances and Networks |
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Hollie Raynor, PhD, RD, LDN (Academy Alliance Representative) Hollie Raynor is a Professor in Nutrition and Executive Associate Dean of Research and Operations in the College of Education, Health, and Human Sciences at the University of Tennessee. She conducts research in lifestyle interventions for pediatric and adult obesity care and has published over 150 peer-reviewed articles. She served as a member of the Academy’s Prediabetes and Adult Obesity Treatment Evidence Analysis Library Committee. She is a member of the Dietary Guidelines Advisory Committee. |
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Morgan Dickison, MS, RDN, CSOWM, CDN (Assistant Networks Director) is a Registered Dietitian and Board Certified Specialist in Obesity and Weight Management. Since 2017, Morgan has counseled at Weill Cornell Medicine’s Comprehensive Weight Control Center, closely collaborating and coordinating patient care with Dr. Aronne and a team of ABOM certified physicians. Also, Morgan plays a pivotal role at Intellihealth, where she leads a team of dietitians who provide virtual nutrition counseling as part of a comprehensive approach to obesity management. |
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Lindsay Schmitz, MS, RDN, LD (OAC Liaison) is the owner of Live Smarter Nutrition & Wellness. She specializes in weight management, plant-forward eating, disease prevention, wellness and educating consumers about pure, safe, non-toxic, alternative personal and home care choices. In addition to participation on the WM policy team, Lindsay is the HOD for the Vegetarian Nutrition DPG. Nutrition advocacy has been a part of her dietetics career for over 15 years.
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Nominations and Awards Committee Members |
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Summer Kessel, RD, CSOWM, LDN(Nominating Committee Director-Elect)is a Registered Dietitian and Certified Specialist in Obesity and Weight Management with more than a decade of experience, specializing in Nutrition Solutions and Behavior Change Coaching for patients on GLP-1 anti-obesity medications. She is a champion for individualized, sustainable, and realistic nutrition and fitness interventions that improve quality of life and keep food fun. In addition to her professional skills, She is currently working as the Chief of Operations, Nutrition and Community at Vineyard, a virtual clinic that offers comprehensive weight management care. Her book, "Living Your Healthiest Semaglutide Life: A Complete Guide to Nutrition and Mindset While on GLP-1 Medications" published in July of 2025. IG: @Summerthedietitian
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Casey Flowers MS, RD, LDN (Volunteer Coordinator) is an outpatient dietitian at Morehouse School of Medicine in Atlanta, GA. For the last 8 years, Casey has committed herself to the promotion of health equity and providing nutrition intervention for patients in multiple disciplines with a primary focus in weight management. She has been the Nutrition Co-Director for the ASMBS nutrition preconference session for the last 2 years and is the 2023 recipient of the ASMBS Excellence in Nutrition award.
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Jane Ujoatu, DrPH, MS, RDN, LDN (Awards and Honors Coordinator) is a dedicated nutrition and public health professional with a strong passion for improving community health. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Human Foods and Nutrition from the University of Houston, a Master of Science in Nutrition Science from Texas Woman’s University, and a Doctor of Public Health from the University of North Texas Health Science Center. She also earned a Certificate of Training in Weight Management from the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. With over nine years of experience in nutrition services and more than five years in community-based program development and research, Dr. Ujoatu brings both expertise and heart to her work. She has provided nutrition counseling in diverse settings, including corporate, community, and clinical environments, and currently supports weight management patients while also teaching undergraduate nutrition courses. Driven by a commitment to health equity, Dr. Ujoatu focuses on addressing nutrition-related disparities in underserved communities. She is deeply involved in community engagement, mentoring future dietitians, and supporting leadership development in the field.
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Brittany Garcia, MS, RDN, LD/CD (Awards and Honors Assistant Coordinator) is a Registered Dietitian based in Texas with a passion for weight management and sustainable health. Inspired by her own personal journey, she brings empathy and real-life insight to every patient and client interaction. Brittany is dedicated to helping others build balanced lifestyles through personalized nutrition and practical strategies. Whether guiding weight loss or fostering long-term wellness, she empowers individuals to take control of their health with confidence, compassion, and evidence-based support.
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Public Policy & Advocacy |
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Stephanie Wagner, MS, RDN, LDN serves as the Policy and Advocacy Leader for the Weight Management Dietetic Practice Group. She specializes in bariatric surgery and Obesity medication nutrition, combining clinical expertise with compassionate support. As the founder of Bariatric Food Coach, she offers a membership-based platform that empowers patients with nutrition education, tools, and community. Steph is dedicated to advancing access to evidence-based care and advocating for long-term support and success for individuals living with obesity.
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Sara Peidle, MS, RD, CD, FAND (Nutrition Services Payment Specialist) has been a dietitian since 2006 when she completed her coordinated bachelorette from Youngstown State. She started her career as an inpatient dietitian in El Paso, TX where she also worked in Renal nutrition. In 2015 she's moved to Utah where she is a dietitian for the Salt Lake City VHA. She has served on the TX and Utah Academy as State Regulatory Specialist and is now the Nutrition Services Payment Specialist.
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| Virtual Symposium |
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Tracy L. Oliver, Ph.D., RDN, LDN (Virtual Symposium Chair) is an Associate Professor in the M. Louise Fitzpatrick College of Nursing at Villanova University. She earned her B.S. in Clinical Dietetics and Nutrition from the University of Pittsburgh, and both her Master’s and Ph.D. degrees are from Temple University in the field of Kinesiology with a concentration in Exercise Physiology. Tracy has previously worked at The University of Pennsylvania’s Center for Weight and Eating Disorders and Temple University’s Center for Obesity Research and Education in the areas of weight management and behavior modification. Tracy has served on the WM DPG’s leadership team for the past nine years in various roles including Weight Management in the News Coordinator, CPEU newsletter Editor, Chair-Elect and Chair. |