Joan Frank named 2025 Outstanding Dietetics Educator

Joan Frank MS, RDN, FAND has been honored with the 2025 Outstanding Dietetics Educator Award for the Western US region by the Nutrition and Dietetic Educators and Preceptors practice group of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics (AND). This award recognizes the teaching, mentoring and leadership activities of faculty in ACEND-accredited dietetics education programs. One educator is selected from each of five program types within each geographic region. Award winners will be recognized at the annual meeting of dietetics educators in March 2025.

Joan is the Assistant Director of the Didactic Program in Dietetics and is an Academic Coordinator and Continuing Lecturer in the Department of Nutrition. Joan’s strengths in teaching, mentoring, leadership and service in dietetics education are most evident in her positive impact on students. She is dedicated to student success and to seeing her students thrive as they complete their undergraduate education and move toward career goals. Joan is an inspiration to students and a tireless advocate for the profession. She has provided significant service and leadership to dietetics education beyond her faculty role. Joan is an ACEND program reviewer, subject matter expert, and contributes to multiple professional organizations and is a member of dietetics program advisory boards. Her commitment to excellence in the dietetics field is evident in all her accomplishments.