Our Registered Children’s Nutrition Advisors
Our Advisory Board is comprised of key healthcare professionals who are concerned about the growing childhood obesity epidemic. These individuals provide ongoing guidance to ensure that our content is relevant and accurate.
Anne Kolker, MS, Registered Dietitian [?]
Nutrition Consultant for Harker School, Head Start Pre-school and Pacific Athletic Club
Instructor at San Jose State University, Nutrition and Food Science Department
Consults, develops and presents nutrition education with a focus on the family
Memberships:
American Dietetic Association (ADA)
Menlo Park School District Wellness Committee
Child Health and Fitness Coalition, Santa Clara County
Obesity Task Force, San Mateo County
"I focus my energy on educating children and teenagers about nutrition, food safety and weight management. I believe that kids need to learn in a way that keeps them interested and involved. I have three healthy eaters at home, 3, 6, and 9 and I make nutrition a part of our daily routine by role modeling."
Michelle Mirizzi, MS, Registered Dietitian [?]
Nutrition Consultant
Santa Clara County Office of Education, California
Develops curriculum and teaches nutrition education to elementary school children as well as teachers for after-school programs in Santa Clara County
Memberships:
American Dietetic Association (ADA)
Certified Life Counselor in Weight Management
"I am passionate about improving nutrition education and physical activity in the school system. I love working with parents and teachers on fun ways to introduce nutrition and physical activity. As a mother of two small children, I believe strongly in empowering our children so they can make healthier choices."
Kathryn Kolb Moon, Nurse Practitioner, APRN, BC [?]
Family Nurse Practitioner
Dunes Family Health Care, Reedsport, Oregon
Promotes nutrition education to families focusing on disease prevention
Memberships:
American Red Cross Disaster Assistance Team, Reedsport
California Coalition of Nurse Practitioners, Communication Director (2000-2001)
Northern California Mid-Level Practitioners, Newsletter editor
"I have a passion for empowering my patients, young and old alike, to make healthy lifestyle choices. In caring for adults, I see how the diet and activity patterns they developed as children affect their health as adults. Obesity, diabetes, hypertension and heart disease are preventable. A healthy life-long lifestyle begins with our children; and as adults, it is our responsibility to teach it to them, by first adopting it ourselves."
Fannie Rankin-Vinci, Registered Nurse, CDE [?]
Certified Diabetes Nurse Educator
Mills-Peninsula Health Services, Burlingame, California
Coordinates, manages and teaches diabetic education to children and parents
Memberships:
American Association of Diabetes Educators
San Francisco Bay Area American Diabetes Educators (SFBAADE), past board member and president
"Diabetes in children has always been a concern and focus for me. My siblings and I have had diabetes since our late teens /early twenties. In my role as a diabetes educator, I see many children with diabetes. I realize the struggle to maintain a normal weight and still be like other children is a major issue in dealing with this growing epidemic in our society. I hope that an increased awareness early in life can make a difference in the lives of these children and their parents. I want children and parents to be more aware of not only the need for proper nutrition for growth and development but the need to reduce the empty calories which lead to excess weight gain and inactivity.
Colleen A Thompson, MS, Registered Dietitian [?]
Dietitian Educator
Extension educator in residence, University of Connecticut, Department of Nutritional Sciences
Coordinates, develops, and administers nutrition education and training for CT Team Nutrition
Memberships:
American Dietetic Association (ADA)
Connecticut Dietetic Association, Chair (2006-2007)
National Education Association
American Association of Family & Consumer Sciences Teachers (AAFCS)
American School Food Service Association (ASFSA)
"I am passionate about the health and future well-being of our nation's children. Specifically, I feel that education is necessary to promote a healthy weight and increased physical activity for all kids. Education needs to focus on parent and child, in and out of the classroom. We must help our children to learn to enjoy and appreciate healthy foods and an active lifestyle by modeling the behaviors we hope to achieve. Monkey see, monkey do!"
What is a Registered Dietician (RD)?
A dietitian is an expert in food and nutrition. Dietitians help promote good health through proper eating. They also supervise the preparation and service of food, develop modified diets, participate in research, and educate individuals and groups on good eating habits.
What is an Nurse Practitioner?
A registered nurse with special training for providing primary healthcare, including many tasks customarily performed by a physician.
What is a Registered Nurse (RN)?
A registered nurse is a healthcare professional responsible for implementing the practice of nursing through the use of the nursing process. Registered nurses work as patient advocates for the care and recovery of the sick and maintenance of the healthy. In their work as advocates, RNs ensure that the patient receives appropriate and professional care. RNs use the nursing process to assess, plan, implement and evaluate nursing care of the sick and injured.
