Spring Assembly 2026

Registration

Registration: click here
Student Group Registration: click here

  Friday Saturday Combined
Student/Retired $90 $115 $190
Student Group Rate $75 $100 $170
Academy Member $140 $170 $290
Non-Member $150 $180 $300

Registration will close February 27, 2026

Program Agenda


Presentations

Day 1 - Friday, March 20th

12:05 PM - Advancing Health Outcomes Through Culture-Centered Nutrition 

Speaker: Sylvia E. Klinger, DBA, MS, RDN

1:05 PM - Exploring the World of Tinned Seafood: Beyond the Sardine (Cooking Demo)

Speaker: Golda Ewalt, MS, RD, CEC

2:10 PM - Artichokes - Zucchini: Solutions for "I Don't Eat Vegetables"**

Melissa Bernstein, PhD, RDN, LD, FAND, DipACLM, FACLM, FNAP & Meryl Fury, MS, RN

3:15 PM - Academy in Action

Speaker: Deanne Brandstetter, MBA, RDN, CDN, FAND (Academy President)

4:35 PM - From Breast Milk to Benchtop: Exploring the Clinical Promise of Human Milk Oligosaccharides**
Speaker: Lauren Spain, PhD, RDN, LD, CDCES, FAND

5:40 PM - Courageous Leadership

Speaker: Wylecia Wiggs Harris, PhD, CAE, AND CEO

Day 2 - Saturday, March 21st

9:05 AM - Empowering the Dietetics Workforce: Credentialing, Capacity, and Career Growth in a Changing Landscape

Speaker: Sharon M. McCauley, MS, MBA, RD, LDN, FADA, FAND

10:05 AM - Nourishing Health and Connection at Every Meal (Sponsored by National Pork Board)

Speaker: Meghan Daw Sedivy, RD, LDN

11:40 AM - From Assistant to Amplifier: Responsible AI in Dietetics
Speakers: Brooke Schantz Fosco, MS, RDN, LDN & Maria Dellanina, RDN

12:45 PM - Building Allies, Guarding Boundaries: The RDN’s Path in Interprofessional Education and Practice

Speaker: Kevin Pietro, PhD, RDN, CSSD, LDN

2:10 PM - Baby Steps for Food Allergy Prevention: The CAN DO Study**
Speaker: Eileen Vincent, MS, RDN 

3:15 PM - Advocating for Enteral Success: Expect the Unexpected

Speaker: Jeanna Rich, RD, CSO & Gabrielle Haskell, MS, RD

**Sponsored by Pediatric DPG

Poster Presentations

We are seeking abstract proposals for Spring Assembly 2026. Accepted submissions will be scored by a committee with the top scoring presentation eligible for a $100 prize that will be announced at the IAND Awards Reception on Friday, March 20th at Elements Conference Center. 

Presentations will be displayed in a hybrid fashion, such that the physical research poster must be available on site at Spring Assembly for attendees to review, however the presenter does NOT need to attend the conference in person. 

Link to submit abstracts for poster presentations will be available soon!

Contributor Opportunities

Now accepting exhibitor applications (Corporate and Non-Profit) - Please share within your network! IAND is committed to featuring companies from a variety of products and supportive services at Spring Assembly. All contributor opportunities are contingent upon approval from IAND. Check out our contributor opportunities page for more information on becoming an exhibitor.

Supporter

Thank you to the Pediatric DPG for supporting our meeting through their PNPG on the Road campaign!

Questions
Questions can be directed to Terry McBride, IAND Executive Director at [email protected].

Updated November 2025