Dietary Manager and Team

What does being a CDM, CFPP mean to you?

Heather Clark, CDM ,CFPP

Port St. Joe, FL

"I finally have a career with purpose. To be able to meet the needs of others and give them something to look forward to is the most meaningful thing I have ever done. When my monthly weights come back with little to no weight loss, there is not better sense of pride."

JoAnn McClanahan, CDM ,CFPP

Atkinson, NE

"As a CDM, CFPP, I feel confident that by being certified I can educate cooks and dietary staff to serve nourishing meals to our residents, patients, and families."

Shannon Diemart, CDM ,CFPP

Andover, KS

"I have been a CDM, CFPP for 18 years. I started out in a hospital but shifted my focus to long-term care in 2006. For me, being a CDM, CFPP means making a difference in someone's life. For most nursing home residents, a lot of choices have been taken away from them due to age and health. However, at our facility, we have open dining, meaning they can order what they want, when they want. I have an incredible team of dietary staff who go above and beyond to make them what they want to eat. My staff members take time to get to know the residents and even prepare residents' old family recipes, if requested. Knowing that our department brings joy to the residents' lives makes me feel like what I do matters."

Megan Griffith, CDM, CFPP

Cincinnati, OH

"As a CDM, CFPP, I care, and I can make the best decisions for our elderly in their nursing homes! I couldn't be prouder to be a CDM, CFPP. My job has a meaning, and my residents are my world!"

Margaret Rowlands, CDM, CFPP

Winamac, IN

"Being a CDM, CFPP gives me the opportunity to grow in my profession, volunteer, and network with others. We all have best practices that will make a difference in our customers' lives. We touch so many different fields and show compassion by being our best."

Julia Ann-Fowler Anderson, CDM, CFPP

Springfield, MO

“Being a CDM, CFPP provides a sense of commitment, loyalty, and respect for my residents and my staff in being the leader and role model to inspire each and every individual I encounter in my workplace.”

Lisa Quested, CDM, CFPP

Marquette, KS

"I have been in foodservice for 33 years and this is the only job that has such a wide scope of practice. We order the food, help cook and serve the food, create special menus, work closely with other departments, document and keep records of staff and resident activity, track weights, maintain equipment and inventory, schedule, cover shifts, and adhere to all regulations from weight loss to food safety. I am proud to offer quality foodservice to the elders in my community!"

Becky Spears, CDM, CFPP

Danville, WV

“I love being a CDM, CFPP. I knew from the very start of my career that I loved nutrition. It allows me to be confident when educating patients, the community, and staff members. Nutrition is a necessity in the life of my patients and aiding in their healing or recovery is always rewarding. I display my credentials proudly in the cafeteria while leading staff in the pathway of preparing and serving good food safely.”

Amy Minnich, CDM, CFPP

Warren, IN

“I feel like becoming a CDM, CFPP has opened many opportunities for me and my career! It has also opened opportunities with my family! I am very proud of what I have accomplished with this achievement in my life and am proud to call myself a CDM, CFPP!”

Lisa Smith, CDM, CFPP

Minneapolis, MN

“Being a CDM, CFPP means making residents' meal time the best dining experience. Putting a smile on their face by serving them a great meal or delicious treat is the best payoff. Also, I enjoy being able to mentor my staff!”

Wendy Clark, CDM, CFPP

Martinsville, IN

Becoming a CDM, CFPP has taught me the knowledge I needed to do a job I am compassionate about. I love to teach skilled residents’ ways to control their diets when they can return home. With the long-term residents, we try and have fun with nutrition. I feel complete being able to share my knowledge and offer them a friend when in need. It is truly my mission field. Being a CDM, CFPP is a triumph for me.

Sandra Nava, CDM, CFPP

Vincennes, IN

Becoming a CDM, CFPP has given me a feeling of self-worth in knowing that I help make a difference in the lives of our residents by providing them with nutritious and palatable meals daily. The compliments from our residents and families are an added bonus to the job!

Peggy Neel, CDM, CFPP

Meade, KS

“Being a CDM, CFPP is very rewarding. I have gained knowledge that I didn’t expect to ever learn. I didn't set out to be a CDM. It fell into my lap, but I have been with it now for close to 25 years. I can't see myself doing anything else! I have seen a lot of good growth and change throughout this time. I tell my staff that we ‘take care of our residents from the inside’ with well-balanced meals, fluids, and all the love and compassion that we can put in our food and care for them while they are here. I am blessed to have this experience and to care for my senior population! I would not want to be anything else. I love my experience as a CDM, CFPP!”

Lulu Hurtt, CDM, CFPP

Chestertown, MD

“Being a CDM, CFPP gives me the feeling of helping other stay nutritionally sound and make better choices. I always feel a sense of well-being after guiding someone on their path of nutrition. I feel good nutrition plays a key role in many parts of people’s lives and am always happy to help to the best of my knowledge.”

Read more personal stories of what being a CDM, CFPP means.