01/27/09

American Dietetic Association Names Patricia Babjak Chief Executive Officer

FOR RELEASE JANUARY 27, 2009

Media contact:  Doris Acosta 
800/877-1600, ext. 4822
media@eatright.org

CHICAGO – Patricia Babjak, previously the executive vice president of the American Dietetic Association, has been named the Association’s Chief Executive Officer by ADA’s Board of Directors, effective immediately.

“Pat Babjak is well-known to ADA members and is exceptionally well-qualified to serve as Chief Executive Officer,” said registered dietitian and American Dietetic Association President Martin M. Yadrick. “Pat will fill this position with the same professionalism, ability and distinction she has brought to every position she has held at ADA since joining our Association in 1975.”

Babjak joined ADA as assistant coordinator of ADA’s Commission on Dietetic Registration. She became director of CDR in 1978, serving until 1998 when she became executive vice president for strategic management. Babjak also served as ADA’s interim chief executive officer in 1997.

In her previous position, Babjak supervised research and scientific affairs and development of ADA position statements, among other areas. She was also responsible for overseeing development and implementation of ADA’s strategic plan and for developing mechanisms to measure the Association’s progress toward goals and objectives.

Babjak facilitated the reorganization of ADA’s governance structure, including new roles for the Board and House of Delegates and the transformation of ADA’s Nominating Committee into a force for leadership development and diversity within the Association.

In 2004, in recognition of her service to ADA and to the dietetics profession, Babjak became just the fourth ADA staff member to be awarded honorary Association membership.

Babjak has served on the Advisory Committee of the Harvard University Leadership Institute as well as on the Pew Health Professions Commission on Educating Health Care Workforce Task Force. She has chaired the National Commission for Certifying Agencies and served on the Leadership Council for the National Organization for Competency Assurance. Babjak is a graduate of the University of Illinois - Chicago and earned a master’s degree in library science from Dominican University.

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

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