About Linda T. Farr, RDN, CSOWM, LD, FAND
MY DIETETICS CAREER STORY
Why I chose dietetics and how it has shaped my career
I’m the daughter of a Registered Dietitian, who was the food service director and clinical dietitian for Children’s Hospital, an orthopedic hospital within the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics.
My interest in dietetics began because of my mother’s independence as a career woman and the respect that she earned through her close work with her dietetics colleagues and the orthopedic physicians who valued her as a team member.
Her passion for dietetics was easily ingrained in me as I worked in her hospital kitchen in high school and pursued my education at Iowa State University, my dietetic internship at the University of Iowa-College of Medicine and ultimately my career in dietetics in Texas.
My diverse career path began in Dallas as a Clinical Dietitian at Presbyterian Hospital, and then a Food Service Director in small 100-bed hospitals in the Dallas area. I advanced to become a department head over three departments in a private mental health facility, and eventually became the Food Service Department Head for a 500 bed medical surgical hospital.
Working closely with the dedicated food service workers in my departments helped to forge my mission to promote their respect and recognition within the hospital. Sixteen years later the valuable business management and people skills that I developed as a department head directly translated into the creation of my private practice, Nutrition Associates of San Antonio,
My 24 years in private practice has provided me with the freedom and joy to volunteer for the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, to use my entrepreneurial skills to create new products and services for my clients and patients, and to use my business skills to manage my marketing and payment systems.
The Academy’s support of me as a Registered Dietitian/Nutritionist was key for the maintenance of my professional skills and evidence based practice.
The support I received from the Weight Management, Pediatric Nutrition and SCAN DPGs was crucial for preparing me for the exam to become a Board Certified Specialist in Obesity and Weight Management (CSOWM). I also have deep value and experience in public policy advocacy efforts that are so important to allowing client access to my services. This was developed through my participation in approximately 14 Academy PPWs and my work with the Texas State Licensure Board for Dietitians and the Texas Academy to plan testimony and advocacy for Sunset Act renewals, licensure challenges and Academy policy efforts.
I have always worked directly with patients, clients, physicians and health care organizations, which has kept me grounded to the realities of the changing health environment and the challenges that face the public and our profession.
As a practicing RDN, I share your concerns about licensure and protecting our roles as the only professional qualified to provide nutritional counseling and MNT. I also share your desires for increased recognition, respect for the value we provide and improved compensation and reimbursement.
I not only hear you, but I intend to make a difference in each of these endeavors. Your vote will ensure … Bold Leadership for Progress.
Take action and vote for me, Linda T. Farr, RDN, CSOWM, LD, FAND, as a change agent for YOUR future in nutrition and dietetics!
Thank You!
