
Rory Pace, MPH, RD, CSR, FAND Chair
chair@renalnutrition.org
Rory Pace has dedicated her career to Nephrology Nutrition. A graduate of UC Davis (B.S. Dietetics), the West LA VA Dietetic Internship, and UCLA (MPH), she has developed expertise in malnutrition, CKD- MBD, peritoneal dialysis, dialysis adequacy, quality improvement, and fluid balance has published and presented on these and numerous other nephrology nutrition topics. Rory helped to shape practice by authoring the Academy/NKF 2020 SOP/SOPP for Nephrology Nutrition. As Director of Nutrition at Satellite Healthcare, Rory leads clinical practice for over 100 RDs and ensures that nutrition is represented in company initiatives. Rory is a lifelong learner and an active volunteer leader who enjoys collaborating with others.
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Melissa Young, MS, RDN, CSR, LD Immediate Past Chair
pastchair@renalnutrition.org
Melissa Young has been a renal dietitian for almost 10 years. She completed her B.S., master's, and dietetic internship at Georgia State University in Atlanta, GA. Mel currently owns her own private practice in the mountains of North Carolina, serving primarily the CKD population. Her goal is to always promote our profession to the best of her ability and to stay abreast of current topics in renal nutrition. In her free time, Mel likes to hike with her family and play tennis.
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 Michele Cook Chair-Elect
chairelect@renalnutrition.org
Michele Cook, RD, LD, has been dedicated to the field of nutrition and dietetics for over 30 years. She spent several years as a volunteer for the California Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, Central Valley District, as an Executive Board member and as a California Delegate. She is currently on the Renal Practice Group Executive Council, as an Education Committee member. She has served as Secretary and is now the Chair Elect. Michele’s desire to continuously grow as a dietitian is noted in her job history and volunteerism choices. Michele obtained her Certificate of Nutrition Support early in her career as an acute care clinical dietitian, she used that experience to successfully transition to a Nutrition Support Dietitian position in the home care setting. Michele worked for Brooks Healthcare as a homecare dietitian for several years in Central California. Her thirst for knowledge enabled her to seek work in a variety of settings, including nutrition support sales for Abbott Nutrition and out-patient nutrition counseling. She enjoys participating in community support projects, such as the NKF Kidney Race and Tour Davita. Michele is passionate about her profession and worked in the dialysis setting for 9 years as a Lead Dietitian and Preceptor at Davita, Inc. She recently started working for Aramark at Christus Good Shepherd in Longview, TX and has enjoyed the transition back to acute care dietitian. Her lifelong experiences and growth as a Renal Dietitian now enable her to put into practice: continuity of care, Nutrition Focused Physical Exam and motivational interviewing as an acute care dietitian. Her leadership goals include becoming a Clinical Nutrition Manager and expanding Medical Nutrition Therapy programs for chronic kidney disease in her community.
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