RDs In Practice is an educational program aimed at advancing clinical knowledge and ideas in specialty areas of pediatric nutrition. Didactic lectures, question/answer sessions, and networking opportunities will allow time for attendees to discuss emerging topics, evidence based practice and solutions to practice dilemmas.
This event was made possible by an unrestricted educational grant from Nutricia North America.
Program Objectives
Upon completion of this program, participants should be able to:
Discuss sports specific diets and learn strategies to translate nutrition recommendations into practice.
Learn how to effectively evaluate sports supplements and review the role of the sports RD in educating athletes, parents and coaches on sports supplements and their safety.
Identify key nutrition strategies for the college bound athlete that will enhance sports performance and prepare them to compete at the next level.
Review the top nutrition related concerns of the adolescent athlete and how to effectively address these issues while promoting overall health.
Target Audience
Pediatric Sports RDs. This program is also appropriate for dietitians working in other areas of practice.
Program Faculty
Chris G. Koutures, MD, FAAP
Pediatric and Sports Medicine Specialist Dr. Koutures is American Board of Pediatrics Certified in both General Pediatrics and Sports Medicine and practices general pediatrics, sports medicine and performing arts medicine in Anaheim Hills, CA.
He is the co-author of the textbook Pediatric Sports Medicine: Essentials of Office Evaluation that was published by SLACK, Incorporated in October, 2013. He also fulfilled a lifetime dream with his selection as a volunteer Olympic Team Physician for the USA Volleyball and Table Tennis teams at the 2008 Summer Games in Beijing, China. He completed a six-year term as an elected member of the American Academy of Pediatrics Executive Committee on Sports Medicine and Fitness, and currently edits the biannual newsletter for that group. He has authored many medical publications, and speaks regularly on sports medicine topics around the country. His interests include concussion management, overuse injuries, performing arts medicine, and injury prevention strategies/programs.
Jacqueline Scaramella, MS, RD
Sports Dietetic Consultant, United States Olympic Committee Jacqueline is a Sports Dietitian consulting for the United States Olympic Committee. She currently works with a variety of Olympic and Paralympic team sports. Jacqueline is a Level 1 ISAK Anthropometrist and a Certified Personal Trainer, which allows her to accurately assess body composition and apply principles of exercise physiology within her nutrition services. She was previously a lecturer at California State University, Long Beach (CSULB), educating on the topic of nutrition for exercise and performance. Jacqueline has a variety of experience supporting the nutritional needs of many different types of athletes and clients including, NCAA Division 1 athletes, active duty Marines, NFL Combine athletes, elite level Jiu Jitsu fighters, professional lacrosse players, as well as your typical weekend warriors.
LaDonna Reed, CHC, CNC
Olympic Education Specialist, United States Anti-doping Agency LaDonna has a tenacious approach to life. For nearly 14 years, LaDonna has promoted true sport values. As the Education Specialist for the United States Anti-Doping Agency (USADA), she has devoted her time educating our nation’s top Olympic and Paralympic athletes, coaches, and sport federations. LaDonna provides knowledge on topics such as the prohibited substances and methods in sport, as well as the drug testing process.
LaDonna is a member of the US Masters Track & Field program, and is a competitor in the 100m and the long jump. LaDonna is the owner of Get Movin’ Personal Training where she guides her clients on fitness, nutrition, and wellness.
Giving back to her community is LaDonna’s driving force. As the Wellness Coach of Penrose St. Frances Hospital in Colorado Springs, as well as the facilitator for the African-American Women Nurturing and Giving Each other Life through education (ANGEL) Network, it is her passion to educate lower-income women on the seven top cancers that face our community.
Sharief Taraman, MD
Pediatric Neurologist, CHOC HS Assistant Clinical Professor, University of California-Irvine Dr. Taraman is the Assistant Division Chief of Pediatric Neurology and leads the concussion program at CHOC. His clinical interests also include, neuroimmuniology (demyelinating disorders, acute disseminated encephalomyelitis (ADEM), multiple sclerosis, central nervous system (CNS) vasculitis), epilepsy, encephalitis, stroke and neurorehabilitation with research interests in neurotechnology (brain/computer interfaces) and bioinformatics. Dr. Taraman is currently collaborating with Dr. Macpherson at Chapman University to investigate the role of Omega-3 in concussions and traumatic brain injury.
Grace Mucci, PhD
Pediatric Psychologist, CHOC Dr. Mucci is a board-certified pediatric neuropsychologist and coordinator of the Neuropsychology Program at CHOC. She also serves as the clinical liaison to the CHOC Neuroscience Institute and Neuro-Oncology Program. Her areas of expertise include epilepsy, oncology and metabolic disorders. She is involved in several research projects involving the neurocognitive effects of epilepsy and the long-term neurocognitive effects of cancer.
Dr. Mucci completed her doctoral degree in clinical psychology from Alliant University after receiving her bachelor’s degree in liberal studies from California State University, Long Beach, and a master’s degree in counseling from California State University, Fullerton. She also completed a post-doctoral Master of Science degree in psychopharmacology from Alliant University. She completed an APA-accredited internship and post-doctoral fellowship at CHOC and additional post-doctoral training at the Neurobehavioral Clinic and Counseling Center in Lake Forest.
Sharonne Herbert, PhD
Pediatric Psychologist, CHOC Dr. Herbert is a licensed psychologist who coordinates outpatient, clinic visit and inpatient psychosocial services to children, teens and young adults who present with hematological issues. She also serves as a consultant in an integrated primary care setting and is focusing on psychology involvement in the emergency department. She is passionate about working with parents, particularly parents of children with disruptive behavior disorders, as well as with children who have anxiety, OCD and tic disorders. Dr. Herbert, herself a collegiate basketball player, knows firsthand the many challenges faced by competitive athletes, and incorporates therapeutic techniques, such as mindfulness, into her work with her clients to increase resiliency, process feedback, and improve overall performance. Dr. Herbert completed her doctoral degree at the University of Massachusetts, Amherst, an internship at Harvard Medical School/Boston Children’s Hospital in Boston, and a postdoctoral fellowship at CHOC. She is a member of the American Psychological Association.
Becci Twombley, RD, CSSD
USC Sports Dietitian Becci has been the Director of Sports Nutrition at USC since 2012. She leads a team of three sports RDs that coach nutrition to the 650 athletes that make up the Trojan Family. The sports nutrition department at USC has gained nationwide recognition due to the priority the athletic department has placed on fueling athletes to optimize recovery. Becci, one of the few sports RDs who specialize in baseball nutrition, also serves as the sports nutrition consultant to the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim. In 2009, Becci became one of five founding Board Members of the Collegiate and Professional Sports Dietitians Association (CPSDA), a leading organization in the field of sports nutrition. Prior to working at USC, Becci served as the Director of Sports Nutrition at UCLA from 2007-2012. Becci also had the opportunity to serve as a consultant to the Los Angeles Sparks and remains a part of the Cirque du Soleil network of dietitians. Becci earned her degree from Pepperdine University where she played volleyball and attended graduate school at Cal Poly Pomona.
