Professor Artis Grady Named Outstanding Dietitian of the Year

Published: April 24, 2017 | Author: Lexi Carter | Read Time: 2 minutes

Artis Grady has been named Outstanding Dietitian of the Year by the Utah Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. Grady is an associate professor of human nutrition at Southern Utah University and has been a registered dietitian since 1976.

Known in Utah as the Award of Merit, this distinction recognizes a dietitian who leads and makes significant contributions to the dietetics field. Grady received nominations for the award from colleagues at SUU and at the University of Utah. She will be featured in the Journal of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics in September and will receive recognition at the Food & Nutrition Conference & Expo in Chicago this October.

“I was so surprised to even be nominated for the award, let alone selected,” said Grady when asked about the recognition. “I’m very grateful for the many years of support from terrific colleagues, my husband and my family. My career and this award wouldn’t be possible without them.”

Colleagues in the Department of Agriculture and Nutrition Sciences crafted her recommendation letter to the Award of Merit Selection Committee, including testaments to Grady’s dedication, effectiveness, and impact in teaching and leading students. From the letter, professors Lee Wood, Matthew Schmidt, Celesta Lyman, Billie Jean Session and Nica Clark state:

“Artis has a gift of connecting with students, recognizing specific needs, and then gently and constructively guiding them to specific and diverse fields of interest. Her impact as a mentor is evident by the steady stream of students who return to her office, often after many years, to give thanks for helping them meet their potential. In her 40-year career in dietetics, [Grady] has given of her knowledge, time and talents to positively impact tens of thousands of undergraduate students.”

The first 14 years of Grady’s career in dietetics included work as an Administrative Dietitian at Utah Valley Hospital in Provo, UT, the University of Tennessee Medical Center in Knoxville, TN, and at St. Joseph’s Hospital in Kirkwood, MO. She also consulted for care centers, Women, Infants, and Children programs and private physicians and their patients.

She began teaching at SUU in 1990 and helped develop the Department of Agriculture and Nutrition Sciences, which offers two emphasis tracks in pre-dietetic and allied health and outputs spirited professionals and graduate school candidates each year.

“Being a registered dietician allows for a wide array of career paths and job opportunities,” said Grady. “I often tell students that this is a field that is always applicable, since everyone eats every day.”

Grady’s specializes in sports nutrition and food chemistry. Her biggest reward in teaching is seeing students graduate and continue to succeed throughout life.  

“My proudest moment working at SUU is witnessing the growth of the nutrition program,” said Grady. “We see students head to graduate schools across the country in everything from dietetics to medical school, pharmacy to physical therapy, dental school to physicians assistant. The basis they have in nutrition at the undergraduate level is applicable in so many fields.”

---

Contact Information:

435-586-5400
Contact the Office of Marketing Communication