Dianne Schifferli saw an opportunity to bring more attention to malnutrition and took it all the way to the governor’s office.
As a Registered Dietitian at BSMH Boardman in Youngstown, Ohio, Dianne knows firsthand how important it is to identify and treat malnutrition in patients. So when she learned about an effort to have all 50 states recognize Malnutrition Awareness Week in 2026, she decided to help bring that recognition to her home state.
Dianne reached out to the governor’s office to request a proclamation. Her request was approved, and September 14–18 will officially be recognized as Malnutrition Awareness Week across Ohio.
For Dianne, it was a chance to bring more attention to an issue she believes deserves it.
“I thought it was time to highlight the vital role of Registered Dietitians in identifying and treating malnutrition,” Dianne said. “There is a lot of social media attention paid to influencers, but the topic of real malnutrition and food insecurity is rarely discussed.”
We love seeing our team members use their expertise beyond their day-to-day roles to advocate for patients and their profession. Dianne’s efforts also help shine a light on the work Clinical Dietitians across HHS are doing every day.
Dianne is quick to share the credit. She recognizes her malnutrition team and specifically calls out Miranda D’Amico, Clinical Nutrition Manager, Culinary and Nutrition Solutions, as a key resource.
“I know how much time and effort is dedicated by all the clinical dietitians in Ohio, and I wanted that recognition for us all,” she said.
We’re excited to see where Dianne’s advocacy takes her next and proud to have her representing HHS in this work.
Congratulations, Dianne!