Congratulations to the 2021 ANFP award recipients! ANFP celebrates the critical work they are doing across the country to provide innovative leadership and support the value of the CDM, CFPP credential.
Ambassador Award
Karl Hertz
Karl Hertz is the Chief Operations Officer at Memorial Hospital of Converse County (MHCC) in Douglas, WY. Karl has advocated for the CDM, CFPP credential and MHCC’s foodservice department by ensuring the CDM, CFPPs have financial support to maintain the credential. He ensures financial support is available for staff members who are currently enrolled in education programs that will allow them to pursue the credential. Through Karl’s support, many of the foodservice department staff members have had the flexibility to serve on ANFP boards and committees, both at the chapter and National level.
Karl's Acceptance Speech
Horizon Award
Crystal Layman, CDM, CFPP
Crystal is a CDM, CFPP at Mountain View Healthcare in Mountain View, Missouri, a 105-resident, community-based skilled facility. Through open and constant communication with her staff, Crystal ensures everyone is on the same page. Crystal believes in treating all her staff equally and fairly, giving them the opportunity to learn and excel. Crystal has an acute ability to quickly read both her employees and residents’ personal emotions and needs, and then react to those needs in an effective, influential manner. She is quick to offer assistance and help in any situation despite her own busy schedule. One of the most rewarding parts of her job is when she can be a part of making a difference for even one individual who may be struggling with dietary needs.
Innovation Award
Dawn Nickleson, CDM, CFPP
Dawn Nickleson is the owner of Passion for Dining and Nutrition (PDN) with her husband, Patrick. They created PDN to provide hands-on culinary training and to promote quality food for senior living communities. As the owner of PDN, Dawn has enhanced foodservice operations through education, technology, and personal involvement. PDN was born from the desire to reach more communities that need training and to make a difference through food. PDN has become a recognized resource throughout the aging services providers of Minnesota. Dawn looks for opportunities to make a difference and is committed to growing her business so that more communities can benefit from training and enhanced dining.
Dawn's Acceptance Speech
CDM, CFPP Spotlight Award
Maggie Rowlands, CDM CFPP
Maggie Rowlands has been in the foodservice industry for more than 30 years and a CDM, CFPP for the past 19 years. She worked her way up at White County Memorial Hospital and has been employed by Pulaski Memorial Hospital for the last twelve years, where she manages the Dietary department and is interim for the EVS (Environmental Services) department. Maggie has been a constant active member for many years with the Indiana ANFP Chapter and has helped to keep the chapter running effectively through consistent volunteerism and education for members on policies and protocol related to the CDM, CFPP credential. In the coming years, she will continue her volunteer path and serve as the chapter president. She is also currently serving on the Program Review Committee at the National level.
Dining Distinction Award Award
Suzanne Quiring, CDM, CFPP, RD
In 2000, Suzanne invented the SuzyQ cart System, which is a movement on an improved way on “how” we typically do meal delivery in our long-term care dining rooms, which allows for more resident interaction and choice, hotter food and less food waste resulting in significant dollar savings. To date, she has helped more than 800+ communities throughout North America improve the dining experience for residents. Suzanne is passionate about ensuring the dining experience for residents and clients is as excellent and non-institutional as possible. Having worked in a variety of healthcare settings, her fundamental principle is her guiding one – to allow all residents the human right to self-determine in all their meal choices, every meal, every day. Suzanne is helping to move the needle to a role that includes more advocacy of good nutrition. Improving the overall dining experience that honors relationships, choice, interaction, and a resident-centered approach is what promotes good nutrition.
Distinguished Service (Member) Award
Wanda Dickson, CDM, CFPP, RD
Wanda Dickson first received her dietary management training in 1974 and has remained an active member with ANFP since that time. She has more than thirty years of foodservice management in acute care hospitals, a psychiatric hospital, and long-term care facilities. With all the experience and years of service under her belt, she is still actively presenting and participating in the advancement of her state and national ANFP organizations. Wanda has consistently continued to show her strong support for ANFP and their mission through the many national, state and district offices she has held and the many workshops and presentations she has presented for members. She is currently a part of the NC chapter and serves as their newsletter editor and chair of the nominating/tellers committee and awards committee. She has been awarded the Trail Blazer Award through the state. She also presents frequently at the NC ANFP and SC ANFP conferences. Given her dedication and contributions over the years, her enthusiasm for the field of nutrition and foodservice has proven to be an inspiration to younger members.
Wanda's Acceptance Speech
Distinguished Service Award (Corporate Partner) Award
Kelley Vande Lune
Kelley Vande Lune has worked in the snack foods manufacturing industry for 41 years and is with now McKee Foods, the manufacturer of Fieldstone Bakery and Little Debbie brands, as the National Sales Manager Foodservice. For more than 10 years, Kelley has served ANFP as a corporate partner member and volunteer leader. Kelley has also served on ANFP’s Industry Advisory Council since 2010, taking on the Chair role in 2018-19. In his most recent volunteer position, he served on the ANFP Board of Directors as a Corporate Partner. Kelley has positioned McKee Foods Corporation/Fieldstone Bakery as a top corporate supporter of ANFP. Through Kelley’s corporate leadership role, he has approved vital funding for numerous ANFP educational programs, enabling thousands of members access to free or discounted CE opportunities. He has collaborated with members around the country at national and chapter meetings and is well known as a dedicated and positive industry partner.
Partnership Award
Beatrice Peterson, CDM,CFPP
Beatrice Peterson’s career started in restaurants but eventually moved into long-term care. While working in the long-term care, her manager encouraged her to become a CDM, CFPP where she is currently employed with The Core Group, a national foodservice brokerage. Beatrice has educated her company and the manufacturers they represent about ANFP and the importance of the CDM, CFPP credential. She helps them understand the challenges of the CDM, CFPP in a healthcare facility to the mutual benefit of both. She has shared her expertise at meetings at ANFP chapters, purchased tabletop exhibits, and encourages other manufactures they represent to get involved and exhibit as well. They have also supported chapters by providing speakers, door prizes and other means of financial support.
Legacy Award
Deborah McDonald, CDM, CFPP
Deborah McDonald is the current Food Service Program Administrator for North Texas State Hospital WFC. She serves as a mentor for many facilities throughout Texas and is often sought out by other managers, including administrators, from other facilities for advice and guidance, in-services, and to present to staff. Deborah is well known throughout her community for her passion for ANFP. She has been involved with TX ANFP for the last 27 years and served in each role at the chapter level throughout her volunteer career with TX ANFP. In past years, she served as the National Chair for the ANFP and CBDM boards and various other national committees. Through encouragement and mentorship she has inspired others to step outside their comfort zone and volunteer to serve on ANFP National committees and boards.