Over the previous year, the Virginia Department of Health (VDH) has coordinated the efforts of public

health leaders throughout the Commonwealth to cultivate a model process for developing public health
law and policy. Leaders from VAND have worked closely with VDH during this year on nutrition
strategies, and were therefore invited to the Excellence in State Public Health Law Summit in
Charlottesville on July 23rd to discuss future efforts with other key stakeholders, such as Secretary of
Health Dr. Bill Hazel, State Health Commissioner Dr. Marissa Levine, and the First Lady of Virginia,
Dorothy McAuliffe. In addition to the amazing networking opportunities with Delegates, Senators, and
other state dignitaries, registered dietitians were given an active voice for shaping future public health
policy in Virginia!

Registered dietitians were well represented at the invitation only event! Pictured from left: Angie
Hasemann, Heidi Hertz, Lesley McPhatter, Wendy Phillips, and Lisa Katic.