ADSA executive committee 1. ADSA SECRETARY DISCOVERY VITALITY ENGAGEMENT

The Discovery Vitality programme allows members to access Vitality points by visiting a dietitian for an assessment. Engagement with Vitality started in 2021, in preparation of the launch of a potential restructured programme in 2022/2023. In 2022, the Vitality Healthy Weight programme was launched, raising concerns regarding the use of terminology, scope of practice as well as marketing material comparing dietitian services to other offerings available. Members expressed their concerns to executive committee members and on social media, and a meeting was held with Vitality team members on the 20th of February 2023, with ADSA being represented by Maria van der Merwe (President) and Carla Gerryts (Secretary). It was a fruitful meeting, the concerns of ADSA and members were voiced and heard. The outcome of the meeting was a retraction of a specific infographic in marketing material, revision and correction of terminology when referring to dietitians, an invitation to the launch of the Healthy Weight Programme on the 1st of March (attended by Alta Kloppers, PPD) and the conclusion that continued engagements are vital for clear communication between Vitality and dietitians.

For any further information, please contact Carla Gerryts on secretaryadsaexec@gmail.com

Mentorship Programme

We were very excited to launch the ADSA Mentorship Programme in 2022. The aim of the programme is to provide guidance, support and advice on a voluntary person-to-person basis. From individual personal information, we match mentees and mentors with similar interests to optimise the benefits of this initiative. Each mentee-mentor pair is able to customize their mentoring approach and format.

Who is this initiative aimed at?

If you are at an early stage in your career, considering a change in your career path or at any stage of your career where you would like to connect with another dietitian for guidance and support, you are invited to subscribe to this initiative as a mentee. Dietitians who have some experience in the field, a special interest or expertise in an area of work or with a passion for personal growth and development are invited to subscribe as mentors.

For further information, please contact secretaryadsaexec@gmail.com

Mentor Careen Visagie, dietitian in private practice based in Pretoria.

“You cannot teach a man anything. You can only help him discover it within himself.” – Galileo Galilei

In 2022 I had the privilege of taking part in the ADSA mentorship programme. Over the years working in many different areas of dietetics, I’ve gained a wealth of experience and had ample opportunity to grow through all the joys, hardships, failures and successes of all that our profession has to offer. As mentor, I could share and guide from my own experiences and journey with the mentees through their challenges and growth processes. Winston Churchill said: “We make a living by what we get, but we make a life by what we give.” Mentoring others is an opportunity to give, but this time round I was so blessed by what I received. ADSA did a great job of matching the mentees and mentors. The ability to engage in conversation and see people grow and challenge their blind spots, is always a pleasure but this time I found it refreshing and exhilarating as the conversations provided me with an opportunity to not just guide a colleague, but to also review and reflect on my own journey and view it with a ‘fresh pair of glasses’.

I can honestly say that the experience added to my wisdom, knowledge and understanding of the challenges we face as a profession. It was a wonderful reminder that we do not just share for someone else’s growth, but we also grow as we share. We all have something to offer and areas where we can grow and need a nudge to help us move out of our comfort zones. If you missed the previous opportunity – whether to mentor or be a mentee – I invite you, do not miss out again. Sign up and join us when the time comes.

“Mentoring is about listening to people, helping them go over what the issues are and how to clarify ways to deal with any problems that may arise.” — Mildred Dresselhaus.

About Careen: “I work in private practice from my home in Pretoria. My special nutrition interests include GIT health, nutrigenomics, and auto-immune diseases; and my passion is focused towards helping people improve their relationships with themselves, their bodies, food and lifestyle. I am also a trained and credentialled coach and mentor.”

Mentee Carla Gerryts, ADSA Executive Secretary

“I had the privilege of being mentored by Careen

Visagie as part of ADSA’s mentorship programme in 2022. The matching allowed for a space where my interests, perspectives and goals were both valued and challenged. We had two contact sessions, where Careen was open to work with any questions and concerns I placed on the agenda. The discussions included both practical guidance in developing a private practice, as well as personal development. Through honest communication, areas of improvement were highlighted, while my strengths were identified and encouraged to be developed. “Homework” was provided by Careen as part of reflection and emphasizing the importance of personal responsibility in the process. One of the key skills that was addressed was time management and improving effectiveness administratively, which benefited me greatly. The soft skills that no degree will teach you and only the benefit of experience can bring, such as effective communication and counselling skills, was also part of our conversations. I left the sessions feeling empowered, encouraged, and enlightened. It is my hope that everyone who participated in the mentorship programme had a similar experience, and we look forward to introducing a relaunch of the mentorship programme during the second half of the year. Watch this space!”

About Carla: Carla Gerryts is a dietitian with 7 year’s experience in private practice. Her interests include nutrition in psychiatry (especially depression and ADD/ADHD), disordered eating patterns and food relationship, eating disorders, mental health support groups, gut health and the management of chronic conditions.

2. ADSA PPD

Adsa 2023 Professional Indemnity And Medical Malpractice Insurance

Intersure insurance brokers have negotiated several cover enhancements for the professional indemnity cover, offered exclusively to ADSA members as a member benefit. Effective 1 February 2023, the following enhancements have been made to the cover:

• (New) Medical Aid and/or ThirdParty Administrator Forensic Audit Opposition costs, R25,000 cover automatically included, excess R2,500

• Updated Breach of confidentiality cover from R250,000.00 to the underlying cover limit of R2,5 / R5 or R10 million.

• Updated Defamation cover from R500,000 to the underlying cover limit of R2,5 / R5 or R10 million.

• Updated Negligent advice given free of charge cover from 10% of the sum insured to the underlying cover limit of R2,5 / R5 or R10 million.

• Updated Wrongful arrest cover increased R150,000 to R250,000

The following cover enhancements remain unchanged:

The cover and benefits are exceptional value at the ADSA discounted premiums. For more information, including the policy wording document and application forms, please contact the ADSA Membership Portfolio holder, Janke Draper at adsamembers@gmail.com.

Claims For Iod From The Department Of Labour

During 2022, after 10 years of continuous efforts, ADSA successfully appealed to the Minister of Labour for the listing of dietitians as service providers to patients admitted for injuries on duty.

Remuneration for claims for patients with injuries on duty are now functional and dietitians are receiving remuneration from the Department of Labour.

Dietitians are reminded that the claims procedure for these patients are accessible from the ADSA membership page: https://members.adsa.org.za/MemberLogin?returnurl=%2fPPD Queries may be forwarded via email to adsappdqueries@ gmail.com.