committee

2021-2023 TERM HIGHLIGHTS

It has been an honour and privilege to serve as the ADSA President during this term. Highlights from the term, attributed to the hard work and commitment of the executive committee members, branch committee members and all dietitians; include the following:

• The ADSA Exec Roadshow - between November 2022 and May 2023 we have managed to pay an in-person visit to all ADSA branches.

• Inclusion of dietitians as service providers to patients who sustained injuries on duty.

• Mandate by the Board of Healthcare Funders for all funders to consider including at least two consultations with a dietitian for all patients with or at risk of obesity. Some of the medical aids have started implementation of the mandate and more will follow.

• Representing the profession in various fora, including towards the implementation of National Health Insurance.

• Launch of the ImpENSA program.

• Hosting the first in-person National Nutrition Congress since 2018.

• Review of the ADSA executive committee structure, to be implemented as an interim structure during the 2023 to 2025 term of office.

SECRETARY: CARLA GERRYTS

It was my privilege to serve as secretary on the ADSA Executive Committee for the last two years. The journey included obstacles and frustrations, but was not without its share of highlights and successes:

• Launch of the ADSA mentorship program is one highlight I am most proud of.

• Attending the Presidential Health Summit with the President to represent dietitians as part of National Health Insurance strategic discussions was one of the biggest learning experiences during the last two years.

• Assisting to man the ADSA stall at the Nutrition Congress in Somerset West reminded me of the core essence of the portfolio: the association is nothing without you, the members.

• Every email that I received with a query that I can either answer or redirect appropriately is an opportunity to be of service to you.

Thank you for the trust that you placed in us as a committee and we look forward to the future, while learning from the past.

PRIVATE PRACTISING DIETITIANS (PPD): ALTA KLOPPERS

The highlight of my term as PPD portfolio holder (2019-2023) was undoubtedly the listing of dietitians in the Government Gazette as service providers to patients that obtained injuries on duty. The process was initiated in 2016 and after many unsuccessful attempts, dietitians were eventually listed as service providers to this group of patients on 1 April 2022. Dietitians and the role of nutrition throughout the continuum of illness are now recognised as valuable components to the overall treatment, recovery and rehabilitation of these patients.

I will also always treasure the positive attitude that I experienced during my communication with PPDs throughout my period as PPD portfolio holder.

The enthusiasm and positive energy of PPDs was and will always be a belt under my heart. Despite the many challenges faced in private practice, PPDs never give up, remain eager to learn and grow in the best interest of the Profession. Keep up the good work and enthusiasm.

I wish you all a blessed and successful future!

CPD: PHILNA NEETHLING

The ADSA CPD Portfolio 2021 – 2023 term has been filled with exciting challenges and progress.

The main highlights for me were:

• The significant change in the CPD process where HPCSA now captures an individual practitioner’s CEUs directly from the service provider of an activity / event.

• To participate in the ADSA exec roadshow and thereby visit individual branches.

• Being able to assist some of the younger or smaller branches with providing successful CPD events for their members.

Now at the end of this term, I am looking forward to the next 2023 – 2025 term in taking this portfolio forward and supporting ADSA and our members.

MEMBERSHIP: JANKE DRAPER

It was a privilege to serve in the membership portfolio on the ADSA Executive Committee for the last two years.

Some highlights that stood out during my term were that ADSA managed to reach a record number of ADSA members of more than 1500, in the midst of a demanding economical term. With the input of the executive team, I successfully revised and updated the

ADSA membership benefit document. Another great highlight during my term was that we managed to negotiate better rates for Professional Indemnity cover for our members, even though I cannot take any credit for the thought and time that went into the project.

Let’s all remind ourselves; coming together is a beginning, keeping together is progress, and working together is success.

PUBLIC RELATIONS: RETHA HARMSE

Over the past two terms and four years in the Public Relations portfolio, I have experienced tremendous personal growth and witnessed significant character development. Reflecting on my journey as a member of the ADSA Executive Committee team, I am astounded by the transformative impact it has had on my career path, surpassing all my initial expectations.

During my tenure, three standout achievements define my term:

• Facilitating and conducting two highly successful media trainings in 2019 and 2021. These invaluable sessions not only empowered our ADSA spokespersons with enhanced skills but also elevated the organization’s image within the media landscape.

• Pioneering the launch of our ADSA YouTube channel and effectively expanding our presence across various social media platforms. This strategic initiative has resulted in broader reach and greater engagement with our target audience.

• Nurturing and cultivating a thriving dietetic community by nurturing and growing our ADSA closed group on Facebook. This dedicated space has fostered collaboration, knowledge-sharing, and professional growth among dietitians, further strengthening the organization’s impact.

Looking back, these highlights epitomize the profound impact and positive change that being part of the ADSA Executive Committee team has brought to my professional journey.

PUBLIC SECTOR: NIRESHNEE REDDY

The 2021 - 2023 term in the ADSA Public Sector portfolio has been an exciting and challenging one, yet filled with potential for the new term that I am quite confident is going to be more fulfilling and impactful in taking ADSA and dietitians in South Africa to greater heights.

The main highlight for me has been learning more about ImpENSA , participating in the training, and offering the training to the Provincial Departments of Health to consider capacitating health workers in the country in an innovative and progressive methodology that is evidence based and effective.

• It was also positive that some of the Provinces participated in the first meeting and at the National Nutrition Congress with great enthusiasm. There is so much scope for nutrition sensitive interventions in the country and hopefully ADSA, along with all other relevant stakeholders, can support the public sector in gaining momentum in dietitians involvement to a greater extent.

• The portfolio has also been active in the meetings called by the National Department of Health’s Internship and Community Service Programme (ICSP) managers. The ICSP meetings update the

Associations on the placement of community service officers and important dates to be aware of. Final year student members and community service

ADSA members are welcome to email adsapublicsector@gmail.com with any queries as required.

I am looking forward to the challenges and experiences of the next term and supporting ADSA in taking nutrition in South Africa to greater heights.

COO: JESSICA BYRNE

ADSA Executive Legal Webinar: On 23 June 2022, the ADSA executive committee hosted a CPD webinar on ‘Legal Matters in Dietetics’, presented by Advocate Maud Letzler. The session covered topics such as liability and indemnity cover, as well as handling of complaints procedures by funders or the HPCSA. It was an extremely enlightening and informative session, and we received very positive feedback received from the attendees.

Executive Roadshow 2022/2023: Together with other members of the executive committee, we organised the ADSA Executive Roadshow, visiting almost all of our branches over the past 7 months. The event included a session on ‘Navigating true north – finding direction in the profession’ and an ImpENSA session on ‘The first 1 000 days – why it matters’. It was very rewarding to visit the branches and have an opportunity to engage with members.

COMMUNICATIONS: CINDY CHIN

I was responsible for collating the quarterly publication of the ADSA Executive newsletters. In gathering news items, I was always amazed at the amount of behind-the-scenes work each committee member champions. I also wanted to give dietitians the opportunity to share their unique career stories as our field is so diverse. Interviewing various dietitians in their roles was immensely inspiring and encouraging.

It was a great privilege to administer the ADSA Student Bursary award process. I was humbled to see the need for this initiative through the application process, and it is rewarding to know that ADSA has supported several dynamic dietitians over the years. I encourage ADSA members to consider donating towards this bursary so that we can extend the award to more candidates. This can be done when renewing one’s membership.