BROOKINGS – Registered Dietitian Nutritionist Katy VanderWal was recently named Outstanding Dietitian of the Year by the South Dakota Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics (SDAND). She will be formally honored at the SDAND Annual Conference in September. 

SDAND’s Dietitian of the Year award recognizes the outstanding accomplishments of a practicing dietitian in either one’s job, community or association activities. 

VanderWal was recognized for her work in the industry and career achievements, including merging her knowledge as both a dietitian and a farmer to provide public education to the community on where food comes from. 

For the past 13 years VanderWal has served as the sole registered dietitian at Brookings Health System. In this role, she provides nutrition care services to hospital, home health and hospice patients as well as to residents at The Neighborhoods at Brookview skilled nursing home. She also sees patients on an outpatient basis and provides diabetic education. 

In addition to her work at the health system, VanderWal currently serves on South Dakota State University’s advisory committees for the undergraduate dietetics program and dietetic internships. She also acts as an internship preceptor for SDSU dietetics students, volunteers with South Dakota Ag United to provide education on nutrition and agriculture, and is active with the Brookings County Farm Bureau. She received SDAND’s Outstanding Young Dietitian of the Year award in 2009 and also served for six years as the organization’s awards chair. 

VanderWal holds a bachelor’s degree in food and nutrition with a specialization in dietetics from South Dakota State University. She completed her dietetic internship at the University of Iowa. She farms with her husband, Tom, north of Volga.