The Member of the Year award is the highest recognition the NCDA bestows on its members. The award is made annually based on professional achievement and participation in national, state and regional dietetic association activities during the past year or years. The winner must demonstrate significant contributions to the profession through employment and voluntary work.

Sylvia Escott-Stump has accomplished many significant contributions to the profession through active participation and service.  She holds a Master of Arts degree in Adult-Community Education Indiana University of PA and a Bachelor of Science in Education degree in Food and Nutrition from IUP. She graduated Magna cum laude. Escott-Stump is currently a consulting dietitian for Nutritional Balance, and is the dietetic program director at East Carolina University.  To just name a few of her service involvements, Escott-Stump is on the Board of Directors and Speaker of the House of Delegates for the American Dietetic Association, and has served as past Treasurer, state media representative, nutrition care manual co-chair, and strategic planning committee for the NC Dietetic Association.  Escott-Stump’s latest achienvement is working with the ADA to create diagnostic language.  She has spent countless hours, traveled to Hong Kong and state ADA meetings to speak about her expertise in clinical dietetics and most up-to-date information about diagnostic language.  In 2007, she was awarded the first Margene Wagstaff Award from the American Dietetic Association’s Foundation for enhancing professionalism in dietetics education, and she is also a prior recipient of the Outstanding Dietetic Educator award for NCDA.  Today the NC Dietetic Association proudly awards Sylvia Escott-Stump the honor of Member of the Year. 

The Emerging Dietetic Leader award recognizes the competence and activities of dietitians regardless of their age, who have made distinctive contributions early in their dietetics careers to the American Dietetic Association. The award encourages their continued participation in Association affairs.

Nancy Kondracki holds a Master of Science degree in Dietetics and Nutrition from Florida International University, a Bachelor of Science degree from Franklin and Marshall College. Kondracki is an independent contractor in Greensboro, but works to improve the health of individuals locally and statewide.  Nancy has been described as an integral part of the Greensboro District Dietetic Association where she “keeps the organization going and inspires members to be active”. She is past recipient of the Outstanding Dietetic Student Award of the American Dietetic Association, and today the NC Dietetic Association awards Nancy Kondracki the Emerging Dietetic Leader award.

The Recognized Young Dietitian of the Year award recognizes dietitians under age 35 who have demonstrated leadership in the profession through active participation in the Association or through their employment and demonstrated concern for the promotion of optimal health and nutritional status of the population they serve.

Virginia Carraway-Stage from the Eastern District holds a Master of Science degree in Clinical Nutrition from East Carolina University and a Bachelor of Science degree in Nutrition also from East Carolina University.  Virginia works hard and has maintained a positive, pleasant demeanor in her interactions with others.  Carraway-Stage is an associate director for the FoodMASTER at East Carolina University. Virginia has contributed significantly to the NC Dietetic Association.  She received the NCDA Outstanding Student Award in 2007, she was a graduate student representative to the NCDA foundation, she served as poster co-chair, poster chair, and is currently an Annual Planning Committee co-chair.   

Jamie McGinn from the Raleigh District was nominated based on her outstanding leadership qualities and performance in the community.  She holds a Master of Science degree in Clinical Nutrition from East Carolina University, and a Bachelor of Science degree in Nutrition and Dietetics from West Chester University.  She completed the Dietetic Internship at the Meredith College in Raleigh.  McGinn is currently a Consultant Dietitian and Registered Dietitian with Nutrition that Works, at skilled nursing facilities and Hospice of Wake County. Jamie has dedicated numerous hours to make a positive impact in the field of dietetics with her significant contributions to NCDA as she has served as an affiliate president and on the strategic planning committee. 

Melissa Wragg from the Charlotte District holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Dietetics from Ohio University.  She completed the Dietetic Internship at the Augusta internship Program in Georgia.  Wragg is well-received in the Charlotte community for her dietetic expertise and her enjoyable personality.  She is currently a Clinical Nutrition Specialist and Registered Dietitian with the Compass Group – Morrison Management Specialist at Carolinas Medical Center in Charlotte.  Wragg has been awarded the Charlotte Dietetic Association Recognized Dietitian of the Year Award.  

Meagan Myers, RD, LDN (Durham Chapel-Hill)

Traci Malone, MHS, RD, LDN (Western)

This award recognizes the teaching, mentoring and leadership activities of faculty and preceptors in CADE-accredited and approved dietetics education programs.

Melani Duffrin, PhD, RD, LDN of the Didactic Program in Dietetics (DPD) at  East Carolina University’s College of Human Ecology is awarded the Outstanding Dietetics Educator Award for NC.  She strives to engage her students in learning through hands-on classroom activities, collaborative projects, and research.  Dr. Duffrin dedicates her time and energy toward mentoring students and guiding their research, preparing them for dietetic internships, professional careers, and future schooling.  She continually challenges her students and encourages them to do their best. Because of her recognition of the importance of service and her involvement with students, today Melani Duffrin is awarded the Outstanding Dietetics Educator Award.

This award recognizes the emerging leadership and achievement of students enrolled in CADE-accredited and approved dietetics education programs, and encourages their participation in ADA.

Sarah McLeod is awarded the Outstanding Dietetics Student Award in the Didactic Program in Dietetics (DPD) at East Carolina University because of her dedication and ability to represent the student body in a professional manner.  She has an exemplary work ethic, and she has been recommended in the highest regard.

Sara Overholt is awarded the Outstanding Dietetics Student Award in the Dietetic Internship (DI) at East Carolina University.  She has superior academic performance and is in the top 5% of her class.  She strives toward excellence in her everyday activities and academic pursuits, and she has the experiences and vision to become an outstanding contributor to the profession. 

Stephanie Lu is awarded the Outstanding Dietetics Student Award in the Coordinated Program (CP) in Dietetics at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. She has impressed others with her intelligence, poise, and ability to take on any challenge set before her. She has a very professional attitude, exceptional skills, leadership abilities that will certainly complement the dietetic profession.

This award recognizes individuals outside the profession of dietetics who demonstrate outstanding interest, support and contribution to the field of dietetics/nutrition in North Carolina.

Kristin Rager, MD, MPH

Director of Adolescent Medicine for the Levine Children’s Hospital at Carolinas Medical Center

& Medical Director of Teen Health Connections, Charlotte, NC 

Dr. Kristin Rager is awarded the Circle Award because of her demonstrated outstanding interest, support, and contribution to the profession of dietetics.  Dr. Rager is the Director of Adolescent Medicine for the Levine Children’s Hospital at Carolinas Medical Center, Charlotte, NC where she provides on-going teen-specific primary health care for young people,as well as health education to the families of teens and the community.  She has also developed and opened an outpatient, multidisciplinary disordered eating program.  She also is Medical Director of Teen Health Connections.  She has been described as an excellent resource in the community, and through her hard work and dedication, is deserving of the Circle Award today!

Leslie Armeniox, PhD

Director of Get Healthy Guilford, Greensboro, NC

Dr. Leslie Armeniox serves as the Director of Get Healthy Guilford coalition, the obesity coalition for Guilford County in Greensboro.  The coalition brings together experts in many areas of health and fitness including dietitians, fitness specialists, the Division of Public Health, and the local Trans Fats committee.    Leslie works closely with area dietitians to help combine their efforts to best meet the needs of weight loss programs and healthy eating for people in Guilford County and surrounding areas.  She also works hard to reinforce statewide and local partnerships to fight the obesity crisis.  It is with great pleasure that the NCDA awards Dr. Leslie Armeniox the Circle Award today.

Emily Jackson

Appalachian Sustainable Agriculture Project, Asheville, NC

The Just Do 2 District Award recognizes the top three NCDA Districts who had the most members register a minimum of two hours of service toward state or district association activities.

First place - Raleigh District Dietetic Association with 43% of
members logging in 2 hours. The district will win a $250 mini-grant.

Second place - Greensboro District Dietetic Association with 41% of
members logging in 2 hours. The district will win a $100 mini-grant.

Third place - Twin City Dietetic Association with 39% of members
logging in 2 hours. The district will win a $75 mini-grant.

Nancy Williams Didactic Program in Dietetics Scholarship ($1000) - Amy Paxton; student in UNC-CH's Coordinated MPH/DI program

Supervised Practice Scholarship ($1000) - Alexis Briley; MS student at ECU

Graduate Scholarship for Registered Dietitians ($1500) - Mriduhl Datta, MS, RD, LND; doctoral student at UNCG, Department of Nutrition