Five panelists will share their work in making nutrition care more inclusive, equitable and accessible. The panelists will share practical strategies and solutions for implementing cultural sensitivity and equitable care in practice.

Speakers

Sue-Ellen Anderson-Haynes, MS, RDN, CDCES, LDN, CPT

Sue-Ellen Anderson-Haynes is a Plant-Based, Women’s Health Registered Dietitian Nutritionist, Certified Diabetes Care and Education Specialist (CDCES), and National Academy of Sports Medicine Women’s Fitness Specialist Certified Personal Trainer. Sue-Ellen has been working in the healthcare field for over 17 years and is a registered dietitian of over 14 years, with experience in specialties such as pediatrics, women’s health, Bariatric surgery, non-medical weight management and diabetes. She is active in many local, state, and national organizations within the field of nutrition and dietetics. She holds her Bachelors of Science in Food Science and Human Nutrition and specialization in Dietetics with a minor in Health Education from the University of Florida and her Masters of Science in Nutrition and Wellness from Andrews University. Most recently she worked for over 6 years at Joslin Diabetes Center in Boston and is now the founder and CEO of 360Girls&Women® - a holistic health & wellness company for girls and women and the cofounder of cultuRD™ a mobile app that connects Registered Dietitians to clients based on culture. Sue-Ellen is a co-author, health writer, recipe developer, health speaker, and has been featured in NewsFlash, PubMed, SELF, Insider, EveryDayHealth, and more. At the end of the day, she is first a wife and mother to her children, who enjoys spending time cooking her traditional dishes for her family.

Rabiya Bower, ,MHSc, RDN, LDN

Rabiya Bower is the Program Coordinator for the MS in Nutrition & Dietetic Practice/RDN Program at Thomas Jefferson University. She earned her B.S. in Nutritional Sciences from the Pennsylvania State University and completed both her dietetic internship and master's degree at Cedar Crest College. Rabiya was awarded the Outstanding Preceptor Award for PA in 2020 and is an IDEA Leader with the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. She volunteers with Diversify Dietetics and the Philly Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics.

Rabiya is Health at Every Size (r) advocate and practices dietetics from an Intuitive Eating and Mindful Eating framework, with a focus on social justice and cultural humility. In her free time, she loves trying new recipes with her daughter, spending too much time online shopping, and reading young adult novels with strong Black and brown main characters. You can see what she's cooking at @rabiyabowerrd, and what she's reading at @betibooks.

Tessa Cushman, RDN

Tessa Cushman (she/her/hers) is a public health dietitian and diabetes educator with Tri-County Health Department. Tessa is passionate in inclusive and equitable care, and facilitates no-cost NDPP and DSMES classes to under- and uninsured community members. Tessa is passionately creating and facilitating the first LGBTQ+ National Diabetes Prevention Program pilot in partnership with OUT FRONT Magazine, a local queer publication. She is also a Bloomberg Fellow with the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, focusing her Master of Public Health in Food Systems, which she plans to use to support her programmatic efforts. Tessa identifies as a bisexual, cisgender woman.

Ka Hei Karen Lau, MSN, RDN, LDN, CDCES

Karen Lau is a Registered Dietitian and Certified Diabetes Care and Education Specialist at Joslin Diabetes Center in Boston. She provides patients with tailored nutrition and diabetes management care plans to help them attain better health and improved diabetes control. Her area of interests include tailored care and advocacy for Asian Americans, prevention and management of gestational diabetes and type 2 diabetes, and utilization of technologies for better diabetes management. She is experienced in conducting community outreach seminars, nutrition workshops and cooking demonstrations to the public. Lau is also involved in updating national guidelines, including the 2019 American Diabetes Association Consensus Report of Nutrition Therapy for Adults with Diabetes or Prediabetes, and also the 2022 National Standards for Diabetes Self-Management Education and Support (DSMES).

Jeanie Subach EdD, RD, CSSD, LDN

Jeanie Subach is a Registered Dietitian and a Board-Certified Specialist in Sports Dietetics. She is an Associate Professor at West Chester University of Pennsylvania. In this position, she is the advisor to the Student Dietetic Association, nutrition director to Campabilities, a camp for visually impaired youth, and founder of the Ram Chefs program, a culinary program for young adults with developmental disabilities. Jeanie teaches in the DPD and dietetic internship programs. Pre-covid, Jeanie led annual culinary immersion programs abroad for WCU students.

Jeanie enjoys running and paddle boarding, and is an avid skier, but find the most pleasure in the kitchen! Jeanie’s proudest accomplishment is her family, and is the proud mother of 3 daughters, and Mom-Mom to John and Whitney.