{image_1}Minnesota Oncology was recently selected by the Minnesota Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics (MAND) to be the recipient of the 2014 MAND Golden Apple Award.  The Golden Apple Award is presented to an organization or individual that has made significant contributions to the profession of dietetics in Minnesota. MAND’s Twin Cities Chapter nominated Minnesota Oncology and “convinced the awards committee by the glowing recommendations, that you would be a worthy recipient, due to your wonderful work on with cancer patients and dietetics,” according to the award letter.

Minnesota Oncology’s nutrition therapy team – Heidi Ganzer, MS, RD, CSO, LD; Dianne Piepenburg, MS, RD, CSO, LD; and Tracie Swearingen, RD, CSO, LD – accepted the award at MAND’s annual meeting on Friday, April 25, at the River’s Edge Convention Center in St. Cloud, Minnesota.

“We feel honored to have been even considered for the accolade,” Ganzer said when she accepted the award on behalf of Minnesota Oncology. “I believe I speak for the nutrition therapy team when I say that Minnesota Oncology has been very supportive of the nutrition therapy program.”

“The physicians and other providers recognize the significant role that nutrition plays in the oncology setting,” she added. “Patient outcomes, tolerance to treatment, functional status, and quality of life can be improved with early nutrition intervention. As certified specialists in oncology nutrition the dietitians are truly an integral part of the comprehensive care team.”