S P R I N G 2 0 2 1

The Northern Lights

The Northern Michigan Dietetic Association
Happy spring, NMDA members!
It seems crazy to think that we have been experiencing life under a
pandemic for over a year now. Last spring, I wrote an article where I reflected on
lessons that I learned during COVID-19, from the perspective of a mom and a
dietitian. Those silver lining lessons still ring true to me and remain lifelong
reinforcements: family meals matter, the kitchen serves as an unconventional
classroom for children, trying new recipes is an adventure, good nutrition is
balance over time and it is important to give ourselves grace, movement is therapy,
and meal planning remains important but requires flexibility. For me, this is a
good reminder that even in the crazy times, there is joy to be found.
What kind of silver lining lessons have you reflected on during this
pandemic? I’d love to hear them! Shoot me an email, and let me know!
In this newsletter, you will find:
~ Important date to remember
~ Local job posting
~ Spotlighted member
~ Recipe
~ Information about the upcoming MiAND virtual spring
conference
Warmly,
Julie Poole, MS, RDN/ NMDA Secretary and Newsletter Editor

YOUR NMDA BOARD MEMBERS

Co-chairs: Lynette Maxey, RD, CDE (lmaxey2@mhc.net) & Amy
Britton, RD (abritton@mhc.net)
Treasurer: Kimberly Hornacek, RD (khornacek@mhc.net)
Secretary/Newsletter Editor: Julie Poole, MS, RD
(julie.poole1@gmail.com)
Nominating Co-Chairs: Connie Farrier, RD (cfarrier@mhc.net)
Webmaster: Meghan Damman, RD (mdamman@mhc.net)

NMDA Website: www.upnorthrd.com

 JOB POSTING: PRN Registered Dietitian at Kalkaska Memorial Health Center-
Diabetes Management Clinic

The essential functions of the position include but are not limited to the following:
• Acts as Diabetes Educator within the Diabetes Self-Management Program
• Provides education to patients enrolled in the program
• Develops and directs individualized teaching plans for all patients
• Recognizes patient limitations and creates solutions to personalize their learning needs
• Develops and maintains relationships within the community groups, payers, and referral
sources
• Maintains 15 hours of continuing education annually or maintains CDE as it relates to
DSME management
• Providing health advice and promoting healthy eating
• Advising about special diets
• Making presentations
• Maintains proper and timely documentations and consults with referring provider as
necessary
• Educating health professionals and the public about nutrition
• Establishing and addressing key health needs
• Helping to facilitate dietary changes
• Working as part of a multidisciplinary team
• Supporting the work of other healthcare professionals

Knowledge, skills and abilities:

• Knowledge about chronic disease management and the educational process of self-
management
• Current Registered Dietitian with CDE or 15 hours of continuing education in diabetes
education
• Will obtain CDE status within 3 years of working in the program
• Will obtain and maintain Care Coordinator certificate within 1 year of working in the
program

Educational/Experience:
• Registered Nurse or Registered Dietitian with experience in diabetes education
• Education and/or experience with chronic disease and self-management education

Go to: https://pm.healthcaresource.com/CS/kalkaska/#/job/1158?source=Indeed

SAVE THE DATE

Michigan Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics (MiAND)

Virtual Spring Conference: May 13 & 14, 2021 (Plus a
COMPLIMENTARY networking event on Wednesday,
May12th!)
 SPOTLIGHTED MEMBER: Melissa Krajnik, RDN
Written by Melissa Krajnik

Melissa Krajnik, RDN, received her Bachelor of Science in Dietetics with a

double minor in Food Service Administration & Food Science from Central
Michigan University. She completed her internship through University of
Michigan Hospitals. Melissa has always been interested in health &
wellness. In college she did a practice internship & worked under Judy
MacNeil & Paulette Feldhiser at MidMichigan Medical Center in Alpena, &
that is when she knew dietetics was the right path for her.
Following her internship, Melissa worked for several WIC programs in
Monroe, Taylor, & Adrian before working for the Arab-American &
Chaldean Council where she helped open a new WIC office in Detroit. She
also held positions at the Lenawee County Health Department & District
Health Department No. 4 covering Alpena, Montmorency & Presque Isle
Counties working as an RDN in the Maternal/Infant Support program &
WIC. Next, she worked at Otsego Memorial Hospital in Gaylord & did
inpatient, outpatient, long-term care, & community engagements. She then
became a Certified Diabetes Educator to help get their program certified. On
her own time, she also does menu work for a private company that prepares
the food for the Crawford county jail & still does.
When she started having a family she became a full-time mom & moved to
Lake Ann. Melissa felt that breastfeeding both of her boys was very
important but also became a need as neither tolerated formula & had
inherited their father’s sensitivity. She went dairy-free for a total of 5 years to
help with their sensitivity. After staying at home for 14 years she decided
that it was time to start working again & applied for the job at Paul Oliver
Memorial Hospital which is part of the Munson Healthcare System & has
been there for just over 3 years. Melissa enjoys renal, long-term care,
diabetes, & whatever else comes along being in a small rural community.
One of her goals is to become certified in diabetes again.
Outside of work, Melissa enjoys spending time with her family, boating,
hiking, & going on long walks rock hunting on the wonderful beaches we are
surrounded by. Melissa’s family has an Australian Shepard, Nova, who just
turned one & keeps them busy!
 RECIPE CORNER: Sheet Pan Chicken Fajitas
SHEET PAN DINNER! The quickest meal you can make with amazingly tender chicken + crisp-tender
veggies with the easiest clean-up!

INGREDIENTS:
• 2 teaspoons chili powder
• 2 teaspoons ground cumin
• 2 teaspoons dried oregano
• 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
• Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
• 1 1/2 pounds boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into thin strips
• 1 red bell pepper, cut into strips
• 1 yellow bell pepper, cut into strips
• 1 orange bell pepper, cut into strips
• 1 red onion, cut into wedges
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 3 tablespoons olive oil
• 1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro leaves
• 2 tablespoons freshly squeezed lime juice
• 6 (8-inch) flour or corn tortillas, warmed
•
DIRECTIONS:
1. Preheat oven to 425 degrees F. Lightly oil a baking sheet or coat with nonstick spray.
2. In a small bowl, combine chili powder, cumin, oregano, paprika, 1 1/4 teaspoons salt and 1
1/4 teaspoons pepper.
3. Place chicken, bell peppers, onion and garlic in a single layer onto the prepared baking sheet.
Stir in olive oil and chili powder mixture; gently toss to combine.
4. Place into oven and bake for 25 minutes, or until the chicken is completely cooked through
and the vegetables are crisp-tender. Stir in cilantro and lime juice.
5. Serve immediately with tortillas.
Source: https://damndelicious.net/2019/07/24/sheet-pan-chicken-fajitas/
THE NORTHERN LIGHTS SPRING 2021

MiAND Virtual Spring Conference- May 13 & 14

The virtual spring conference is quickly approaching, but it’s not too late to register!
Registration will continue through May 12th! Don’t miss this exciting event from the
comfort of your own home!

• A free networking event will take place on May 12th from 6pm-7pm: Help us
recognize our 50-year members and award recipients, join one of four breakout
topics (and move around as you wish), and have the chance to win prizes! We
may not be in the same physical location, but that doesn’t mean that we can’t
still connect with our colleagues!

• May 13th and 14th is jam packed with accomplished speakers and current
topics! You can earn 10 LIVE CPEUs during the two-day conference and 1
CPEU from the virtual exhibits (0.5 CPEU per day). Once the event has
concluded, you can obtain 3 additional CPEUs by watching the recorded
sessions of the alternative breakout session that you didn’t attend, for a total of
14 CPEUs!

• The virtual exhibits are open! Go to https://eatrightmich.org/virtual-exhibit-

hall/ to learn more about the latest products and services in the dietetic
practice! Take the exhibitor quiz prior to the networking event and be placed
in a drawing to win extra prizes!

We look forward to seeing you at our virtual spring conference!