Celebrating National Dietitians’ Day: Meet Some of our Incredible Dietitians and the Difference They Make

Today, we are excited to celebrate National Dietitians’ Day, a special occasion to recognize the invaluable contributions of dietitians in shaping public health and improving the well-being of individuals. While this day is dedicated to all dietitians, it also provides a chance to shine a spotlight on the dedicated dietitians here at TARGet Kids!, whose hard work and commitment help advance pediatric research and foster healthier futures for children.

What is a Dietitian?

Dietitians are highly trained healthcare professionals who specialize in food, nutrition, and the role of diet in promoting health. Their education involves rigorous academic training, often including a bachelor’s or master’s degree in nutrition, followed by supervised clinical practice and, in many cases, a postgraduate degree. Dietitians are experts in translating complex scientific knowledge into practical, evidence-based recommendations.

At TARGet Kids!, our dietitians focus primarily on research. Rather than working directly with clients; they contribute to groundbreaking studies that investigate how nutrition influences pediatric health. This research is essential for developing guidelines and interventions that can positively impact children’s long-term well-being, from growth and development to managing chronic conditions.

Meet Some of Our Dietitians

Jessica Omand, PhD, RD

Investigator

My name is Jessica Omand, and I am a Registered Dietitian and Assistant Professor in the School of Nutrition at Toronto Metropolitan University. I teach in both the undergraduate and graduate programs and am an investigator with TARGet Kids!. My research focuses on nutrition in early life, eating environments, school food, growth, and development, with a particular interest in how nutrition influences school outcomes.

Favourite Piece of Advice: Take time to enjoy food with friends and family! If you're looking to make a health behavior change, I love the quote: "A goal without a plan is just a wish."

It is important to set a realistic plan with small, sustainable changes, these can help build confidence and lay the foundation for long-term healthy habits.

Fun Fact: I’ve been part of the TARGet Kids! research family for almost 15 years, and now, two of my own kids are participants! My passion for food extends beyond research - I love cooking, eating, and growing my own ingredients when spring arrives. Mealtimes with my husband and three kids are my favorite moments, especially when we’re making homemade pizza together. That said, my personal favorite is cooking over an open campfire!

Curtis D’Hollander, MSc, RD

PhD Candidate

I’m Curtis D’Hollander, a Registered Dietitian and PhD candidate in the Department of Nutritional Sciences at the University of Toronto. I completed my dietetic training at The Hospital for Sick Children and MSc at the University of Toronto. My research interests include identifying early life modifiable health risk factors and determining effective interventions to improve outcomes.

Fun Fact: My first case as a dietetic intern at SickKids Hospital was optimizing a baby’s nutrition for growth so they could safely receive an organ transplant. This experience had a profound impact on me and cemented my passion for pediatric nutrition as a tool to heal and position children for a healthy life. I now enjoy working within the TARGet Kids! team identifying early life nutrition risk factors and determining effective interventions!

Larissa Chomka, BASc, BSc, RD

MSc Candidate

Hello! My name is Larissa. I am a Registered Dietitian and 2nd year graduate student. I have had experiences in different areas, with clinical placements in the hospital and research experiences working with adults on dairy studies, and currently, in pediatric research exploring maternal health's impact on children's health. I enjoy learning new information about nutrition and its impact on our body, as well as helping others develop a healthy relationship with food.

Favourite Piece of Advice: Enjoy incorporating variety into your diet and learning something new!

Fun Fact: I grew up gardening with my family and having had an interest in healthcare, I was inspired to pursue a nutrition degree and volunteer in research. This later developed into me choosing a career in dietetics 🙂

The Impact of Dietitians on Health

Dietitians play a crucial role in shaping public health policies and practices by conducting research that informs best practices for nutrition and health outcomes. Through their work, they contribute to reducing the burden of nutrition-related diseases, promoting healthy eating habits, and improving overall health outcomes for populations, particularly vulnerable groups like children.

In the context of pediatric research, dietitians at TARGet Kids! Are involved in studies that explore how various dietary factors influence children’s development, immune function, and chronic disease risk. Their research helps us understand the importance of balanced nutrition in the early years and provides insights that could guide interventions and public health strategies to address issues like childhood obesity, malnutrition, and food insecurity.

Thank You to our TARGet Kids! Dietitians

On this National Dietitians’ Day, we would like to express our sincere gratitude to the dietitians at TARGet Kids!, some of whom you got to meet in this article. Their passion, expertise, and dedication to improving children’s health through research are a vital part of our mission. Thank you for your hard work, your contributions to advancing pediatric nutrition science, and your unwavering commitment to bettering the lives of children and families. We are proud to have you on our team! 👏

Happy National Dietitians’ Day! 🎉