Tappenden Becomes 33rd President of Nutrition Support Organization
Published: Jul. 9, 2008
URBANA - Kelly Tappenden, an associate professor of nutrition and gastrointestinal physiology at the University of Illinois and associate dean of the U of I Graduate College, began her term as the 33rd president of the American Society of Parenteral and Enteral Nutrition (ASPEN) on June 1. She is the second dietitian in the organization's history to head a society that represents more than 5,000 health care professionals committed to nutrition support therapy.
"I see this position as an opportunity to improve patient care by advancing the science and practice of nutrition support therapy," Tappenden said.
Tappenden has worked in nutrition support therapy for more than 15 years. As a U of I researcher, she has served in several leadership capacities in ASPEN and outside the organization.
Within ASPEN, Tappenden has served as the organization's Research Committee chair; on the Journals Task Force; on the Blue Ribbon Task Force; and on the Clinical Trials Initiative Task Force, among others. She has also been active in professional societies with a focus on nutrition or nutrition support, including the American Dietetic Association, the American Gastroenterological Association; and the American Society of Nutritional Sciences.
At the U of I, in addition to her duties as an associate professor, Tappenden mentors students in the research of clinical nutrition therapy. Her mentees have received many honors for research in nutrition support therapy. She believes strongly in the influence of research on future clinicians, and as ASPEN's president, she will pursue strategic alliances with other organizations to expand upon opportunities to share expertise in nutrition support.
Tappenden earned her doctorate from the University of Alberta. Her thesis was "Short-Chain Fatty Acids Enhance Intestinal Adaptation in Rats Receiving Total Parenteral Nutrition: A Multiorgan Analysis."
Her research has appeared in prestigious journals, including the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition; Digestive Diseases and Sciences; the Journal of Parenteral and Enteral Nutrition; Current Opinions in Clinical Nutrition and Metabolic Care, the Journal of Pediatric Surgery, and the American Journal of Physiology. Dr. Tappenden's latest work, Intestinal Failure--Diagnosis, Management, and Transplantation, was published in March 2008.
An accomplished lecturer, Tappenden has facilitated international discussions focused on strategies to enhance intestinal function by optimizing nutrition support therapies.
During her tenure as ASPEN president, she will increase awareness of the value of research in the daily activities of the nutrition support team. "The research component in nutrition support therapy cannot be underestimated," said Tappenden.
"Research is neither pedestrian nor mystical. It is the missing element that provides clinicians with the tools they need to optimally provide nutrition support therapy and thereby enhance outcomes for the innumerable patients whose lives are so greatly impacted.
"As president of the premiere nutrition support organization, my goal is to connect the dots between everyday clinical applications and the evidence enlightening our knowledge of best practices. It is in this collective endeavor that we will find our path to the future," she said.
Tappenden believes strongly in leveraging the value of the interdisciplinary nature of ASPEN--a health care community of doctors, nurses, dietitians, and physician assistants--to improve patient care by advancing the science and practice of nutrition support therapy for patients and their families.
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American Society for Parenteral and Enteral Nutrition (ASPEN)
The American Society for Parenteral and Enteral Nutrition (ASPEN) is an interdisciplinary association of health care professionals from every facet of nutrition support including clinical practice, research and education. Founded in 1976, ASPEN and its members are dedicated to improving patient care by advancing the science and practice of nutrition support therapy.