Congratulations to Trisha Cousins, MS, RDN, LDN of New Kensington who was named Outstanding Dietetic Educator of the Year from the Pennsylvania Academy of Nutrition and The Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. The award is to recognize the teaching, mentoring, and leadership activities of the faculty in ACEND – accredited dietetics education programs.
Trisha  always knew she wanted to be a dietitian but becoming an educator was an exciting career path that wasn’t anticipated. She received her Bachelor of Science degree in Nutrition and Dietetics from Indiana University of Pennsylvania and completed her dietetic internship through the University Hospitals Cleveland Medical Center, Cleveland Ohio. Trisha Cousins has received a Master of Science degree from Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland Ohio. After graduation, she was hired at UPMC Presbyterian Shadyside as a clinical dietitian. The final turn in her journey led her down an unexpected but exciting path. After years as a practicing clinical dietitian, she had the opportunity to join the welcoming Department of Sports Medicine and Nutrition at University of Pittsburgh. She is an instructor to both the undergraduate and graduate students. In addition, she is the clinical coordinator for the program. Concurrently, she is working on her Doctor of Education degree at the University of Pittsburgh. By earning a doctorate degree, she wants to be an innovator, a leader, and a trailblazer in the field of nutrition and dietetics. Looking back and now forward at her accomplishments alongside working full-time and raising two young children, she feels truly honored to be selected for the Outstanding Dietetics Educator Award for the Coordinated Program.
Cousins accepted the award at the Pennsylvania Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics annual meeting held on March 29, 2019 in Cranberry Twp, PA. The Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics is the world’s largest organization of food and nutrition professionals.