Our Mission
SWMDDA is the advocate of the dietetic profession serving the public through promotion of optimal nutrition, health, and well-being.
Membership
Membership is open for the 2021-2022 year! See more information on our Membership page.
2021-2022 SWMDDA Board
President
Ceara Sibley, MS, RDN
Bio: Ceara completed her undergraduate work at Central Michigan University where she earned her Bachelor's of Science degree in Dietetics. From there, she went on to Grand Valley State University where she completed her dietetic internship and Masters of Science in Clinical Dietetics. She currently works as an inpatient dietitian at Ascension Borgess, through Touchpoint Support Services, on the cardiac floor and the critical care cardiac surgery unit. She has a passion for helping those in need gain access to fresh and nutritious foods as well as creating a more sustainable food system.
Ceara Sibley, MS, RDN
Bio: Ceara completed her undergraduate work at Central Michigan University where she earned her Bachelor's of Science degree in Dietetics. From there, she went on to Grand Valley State University where she completed her dietetic internship and Masters of Science in Clinical Dietetics. She currently works as an inpatient dietitian at Ascension Borgess, through Touchpoint Support Services, on the cardiac floor and the critical care cardiac surgery unit. She has a passion for helping those in need gain access to fresh and nutritious foods as well as creating a more sustainable food system.
President-Elect
Marissa Engelhardt, MS, RDN
Bio: Marissa went to undergrad at Michigan State University (Go Green!) and grad school with her dietetic internship at Miami University in Ohio. Her experiences so far as a Dietitian have been at small critical access hospitals. She has been able to practice inpatient and outpatient MNT as well as projects in community outreach and foodservice management. Being involved in all of these practice areas, she can't pick a favorite! She loves being a Dietitian, and is very excited for her position on the SWMDDA board. She is new to Southwest Michigan, and can't wait to know more RD's in the area! She is currently as Dietitian at Ascension Borgess Allegan Hospital.
Marissa's favorite memory involving food has to do with a volunteering gig in college helping middle-school students learn to cook. Any time she watches a self-proclaimed picky eater try something new and like it, she receives so much joy that she think it adds a least an extra day to her lifespan.
Marissa Engelhardt, MS, RDN
Bio: Marissa went to undergrad at Michigan State University (Go Green!) and grad school with her dietetic internship at Miami University in Ohio. Her experiences so far as a Dietitian have been at small critical access hospitals. She has been able to practice inpatient and outpatient MNT as well as projects in community outreach and foodservice management. Being involved in all of these practice areas, she can't pick a favorite! She loves being a Dietitian, and is very excited for her position on the SWMDDA board. She is new to Southwest Michigan, and can't wait to know more RD's in the area! She is currently as Dietitian at Ascension Borgess Allegan Hospital.
Marissa's favorite memory involving food has to do with a volunteering gig in college helping middle-school students learn to cook. Any time she watches a self-proclaimed picky eater try something new and like it, she receives so much joy that she think it adds a least an extra day to her lifespan.
Secretary-Treasurer
Amanda Lovell, MS, RDN
Bio: Amanda graduated from Western Michigan University with her Bachelor's of Science in dietetics. She went on to Grand Valley State University to complete her dietetic internship and Masters of science in clinical dietetics. Currently, she works at Ascension Borgess through TouchPoint Services, where she has a variety of different roles. She has a passion for connecting with people and helping them make changes to live healthier and happier. She works to inspire and support her clients in forming a healthier relationship with food and assist them in achieving their nutrition goals by un-complicating nutritious eating.
Her favorite memories involving food are trying new cuisines.
Amanda Lovell, MS, RDN
Bio: Amanda graduated from Western Michigan University with her Bachelor's of Science in dietetics. She went on to Grand Valley State University to complete her dietetic internship and Masters of science in clinical dietetics. Currently, she works at Ascension Borgess through TouchPoint Services, where she has a variety of different roles. She has a passion for connecting with people and helping them make changes to live healthier and happier. She works to inspire and support her clients in forming a healthier relationship with food and assist them in achieving their nutrition goals by un-complicating nutritious eating.
Her favorite memories involving food are trying new cuisines.
Secretary/Treasurer-Elect
Alyssa Tisdale
Bio: Alyssa graduated from Michigan State University in Dietetics then went on to complete her Dietetic internship at Massachusetts General Hospital. She now works for Ascension Borgess Cancer Center as the Oncology Dietitian and Ascension Borgess Hospital as an Inpatient Dietitian.
I have a large family (5 siblings, 5 aunts and uncles and lots of cousins). I have very early memories of going to my grandparents house every Sunday for dinner. Everyone would bring different dishes to share and we would all spend time as a family.
Alyssa Tisdale
Bio: Alyssa graduated from Michigan State University in Dietetics then went on to complete her Dietetic internship at Massachusetts General Hospital. She now works for Ascension Borgess Cancer Center as the Oncology Dietitian and Ascension Borgess Hospital as an Inpatient Dietitian.
I have a large family (5 siblings, 5 aunts and uncles and lots of cousins). I have very early memories of going to my grandparents house every Sunday for dinner. Everyone would bring different dishes to share and we would all spend time as a family.
Public Policy Chair
Tina Guajardo, MA, RDN
Bio: Tina received her undergraduate and graduate degrees and completed her internship at Western Michigan University. She is a dietitian at the Bronson Battle Creek Diabetes Education Center. She enjoys helping her patients achieve their desired goals through nutrition.
Tina Guajardo, MA, RDN
Bio: Tina received her undergraduate and graduate degrees and completed her internship at Western Michigan University. She is a dietitian at the Bronson Battle Creek Diabetes Education Center. She enjoys helping her patients achieve their desired goals through nutrition.
Public Relations Chair
Bethany Herder, MA, RDN
Bio: Bethany completed her undergraduate work at Western Michigan University and was accepted into their dietetic internship and Master's program. After completing her Master's degree, she worked at Borgess in a variety of dietetic related settings. Currently, she own a small business making freezer meals.
Her favorite memory involving food is Saturday mornings with extended family enjoying coffee and donuts at her grandparent's house.
Bethany Herder, MA, RDN
Bio: Bethany completed her undergraduate work at Western Michigan University and was accepted into their dietetic internship and Master's program. After completing her Master's degree, she worked at Borgess in a variety of dietetic related settings. Currently, she own a small business making freezer meals.
Her favorite memory involving food is Saturday mornings with extended family enjoying coffee and donuts at her grandparent's house.
Nominating Chair
Takara Page, MS, RDN, CNSC
Bio: Takara received her Bachelor's at Michigan State University, and completed her Master's along with her internship at Case Western Reserve University. She is currently Affiliate Faculty at GVSU in the Clinical Dietetics and Applied Food and Nutrition program.
Takara's favorite memory of food is anything involving her grandparents. Grandma made all sorts of pie that was life-changing. Grandpa made pancakes and tacos that she can still smell cooking. To Takara Food = Family.
Takara Page, MS, RDN, CNSC
Bio: Takara received her Bachelor's at Michigan State University, and completed her Master's along with her internship at Case Western Reserve University. She is currently Affiliate Faculty at GVSU in the Clinical Dietetics and Applied Food and Nutrition program.
Takara's favorite memory of food is anything involving her grandparents. Grandma made all sorts of pie that was life-changing. Grandpa made pancakes and tacos that she can still smell cooking. To Takara Food = Family.
Past SWMDDA Board Members
From Left to right: Morgan Muchez, Megan Hannon, Diane Delhey, Jez Vedua-Cardenas, Lauren Daniels, Takara Page, Corey Shack, Erika Ford, Tina Guajardo, Theresa Montmorency
Pictured (Left to Right): Val Keich, Abby Black, Helen Solomon, Michelle Naylor, Suzanne Beckett, Meghan Ross, Diane Delhey, Elisa O'Riordan, Leatta Byrd, Laura Landrey, Chris Granaderos
