White Plains, NY - A Westchester County employee has received the 2012 Distinguished Dietitian Award – the top honor presented by the New York State Dietetic Association – for her ongoing work to protect the public from people who portray themselves as authorities on nutrition but lack the needed education or experience.

Registered dietitian (RD) Ann Darcy, who has worked for the county for 25 years, is the coordinator of the nutrition, health and wellness division in the county’s Department of Senior Programs and Services (DSPS).

“Congratulations to Ann Darcy for this honor,” said Westchester County Executive Robert P. Astorino. “I always appreciate when our employees are recognized for their continued good work on behalf of our residents.”

DSPS Commissioner Mae Carpenter said, “Ann is the consummate professional and a tremendous asset to Westchester County. She does important advocacy work for seniors.”

Darcy supervises a staff of five RDs who oversee and coordinate the preparation and distribution of 2,500 meals a day to seniors who are homebound or dine at 18 senior nutrition sites throughout Westchester. They also offer some 70 nutrition education programs a year to senior groups about the benefits of a healthy diet. They also provide nutrition counseling and medical nutrition therapy for people with conditions such as diabetes and heart disease.

In addition, the division writes “Nutrition News for Seniors,” which circulates to 2,600 seniors and helps to educate older adults about the benefits good eating habits. Darcy, who has a master’s of science degree from New York University, chairs Westchester’s Health and Wellness Coalition, and has collaborated with the Food Bank for Westchester on a community garden project for seniors.

Darcy is public policy director of the state and the Westchester-Rockland Dietetic Associations.

“Public policy initiatives and involvement are definitely a passion for me,” Darcy said. “I am always looking for these opportunities and preaching the philosophy to place the RDs work in the forefront.”

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