An experienced registered and licensed dietitian and nutritionist, Ms. O'Connell serves as the executive director of the Indiana Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics (IAND).
CRAWFORDSVILLE, IN, January 12, 2023 /24-7PressRelease/ -- Marquis Who's Who, the world's premier publisher of biographical profiles, is proud to present Lorna Jean Kirsch O'Connell, MS, with the Albert Nelson Marquis Lifetime Achievement Award. An accomplished listee, Ms. O'Connell celebrates 40+ years' experience in her professional network, and has been noted for achievements, leadership qualities, and the credentials and successes she has accrued in her field. As in all Marquis Who's Who biographical volumes, individuals profiled are selected on the basis of current reference value. Factors such as position, noteworthy accomplishments, visibility, and prominence in a field are all taken into account during the selection process.
An experienced registered and licensed dietitian and nutritionist, Ms. O'Connell serves as the executive director of the Indiana Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics (IAND) in Crawfordsville, Indiana. Offering more than 20 years of clinical and food service management experience and another 25 years in long-term care consulting, she brings a wealth of expertise to her role.
Founded in 1923, the IAND is a nonprofit organization and a state affiliate of the America Dietetic Association that serves the citizens of Indiana by providing nutrition services to various sectors, including health care, education, and private practice. The organization is notably comprised of a team of over 1,100 registered dietitians, dietetic technicians, dietetic students, and other professionals in the field.
Ms. O'Connell began her career as a dietary supervisor at Parkview Care Center in 1981, transitioning to a nutrition consultant in southwest Indiana in 1984, and consultant in Indiana, Ohio, and Wisconsin in 1986. She served as a clinical dietitian at Deaconess Hospital before setting her course for management with Marriott as clinical manager and nutrition support dietitian at Welborn Baptist Hospital, both in Evansville. During this time, in 1989, she began serving as adjunct faculty at the University of Evansville, which led to the position as dining director, for Sodexho-Marriott. Returning to health care, her experiences led her to HCA-Terre Haute Regional Hospital as department and clinical manager. The patient services management position led to department director for Clarian Health Partners, now Indiana University, for Methodist, University, and Riley Children's Hospitals. During this period, numerous presentations and articles to professional journals highlighted her variety of career opportunities. Before returning to consulting, Lorna became a certified health coach and nutrition specialist for WebMD, in 2013, and became licensed as a registered dietitian nutritionist in 28 states across the country.
Community involvement revolved around meals on wheels delivery programs in which she contributed to the board of directors and program development in Vanderburgh, Vigo, and Marian counties in Indiana from 1989-2020. She worked as a leader in catering for the Center City Corporation in Evansville, while serving on the health committee and the parent teacher league for Evansville Lutheran School, the K-8, grade school for her three children, Leah Joann, 1981, Lucas Jeffrey, 1986, and Ashley Michelle, 1991.
To attain her professional goals, Ms. O'Connell received a Bachelor of Science in dietetics in 1976 and a Master of Science in community nutrition in 1985 at Southern Illinois University. She also earned certification as a nutrition support dietitian through the American Society of Parenteral and Enteral Nutrition.
To remain aware of developments in her field, Ms. O'Connell has been aligned as a registered member of the American Dietetic Association, a member of the Indiana Nutrition Education Network, and as the former chair of the Indiana Consultant Dietitians. Furthermore, she has been active with the Southwest Indiana Dietetics Association as its chair of education, and as a former member of the public relations committee.
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