Kathryn Oliverio Bishirjian Grant Application Due

This Grant is made possible by the family, colleagues, and friends of Kathryn Oliverio Bishirjian in memory of her numerous contributions and profound dedication to the profession of dietetics. 

• Kay possessed deep faith, profound integrity, a thirst for knowledge, genuine warmth, and exemplary character.  She volunteered prolifically in her church, community, school district, professional associations, and in health and dietetics-related activities.  Her competence and grace were ever present.
• The last 26 years of her career was served in the Allegheny County Department of Human Services, Area Agency on Aging, which culminated in her appointment as Bureau Chief.  Her responsibilities included Senior Center Services, particularly the nutrition and health programs.  Prior positions included:  extension agent; hospital dietitian; home economist; school food service; higher education; and nursing home consultant.  She often demonstrated healthy cooking and eating on air and for public events.  Kay authored many articles and publications on nutrition and healthy aging and was a mentor for students and professionals
• Her leadership and service included:  President of the Pittsburgh and Pennsylvania Dietetic Associations (PADA); Delegate to the American Dietetic Association (organizations now designated as Academies of Nutrition and Dietetics); Chair of the Healthy Aging Dietetic Practice Group (DPG); and contributing member of committees, councils and advisory boards.   Kay was honored with the PADA Outstanding Dietitian and Keystone Awards; the Academy’s Medallion Award; and with the Distinguished Member Award of the Healthy Aging DPG.  The Allegheny County Board of Commissioners recognized her with a Certificate of Achievement in Outstanding Public Service, the first registered dietitian to be so honored.

Included in the application:

1. Application form (including all components)
2. Director of program letter of enrollment (enrollment only not to include a recommendation).  

TYPE OF FUND: Endowed Grant

AMOUNT: $400.00 to be used exclusively for purchase of The Academy practice examination and preparation study guide, eatrightPREP for the RDN Exam, https://www.eatrightstore.org/product-type/subscriptions/eatrightprep

AWARDED: Five grants are awarded annually by the Pennsylvania Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics Foundation (PADAF) and funded by the Kathryn Oliverio Bishirjian Grant Fund if fiscally feasible.

APPLICATION DEADLINE: March 31, 2025 (grant to be used within a year of application).

PURPOSE: To provide a grant to a qualified student member of the Pennsylvania Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics who wishes to become eligible for registration by providing funds to help support studying/applying for the RDN credential.   

CRITERIA AND RESTRICTIONS FOR USE OF THE FUND: 

1. Must be a current member of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics and Pennsylvania Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics and complete the following criteria: 
2. Provide verification of enrollment in a a dietetic internship program, and/or master’s degree program in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania which is authorized by the Commission on Dietetic Education.
3. Submit the Kathryn Oliverio Bishirjian Grant application by March 31, 2025, which includes: 
   1. Name and contact information of institution/program.
   2. Name and contact information of director during your enrollment. 
   3. Application form includes a 150-word essay of goals, dietetic/nutrition field of interest, reflection on value of the practical experiences provided within the internship/master’s program and state how the grant would benefit the applicant to become a registered and licensed dietitian.
   4. Agree to return the monies to the Foundation in the event that they do not use the grant to take the registration exam during the current year.  

4. Letter by Dietetic Internship Director or Director of master’s degree program, indicating enrollment.
   1. The qualified applicant is required to ask the director to complete and submit a completed letter on official letterhead indicating the intern is enrolled in an internship program (not a recommendation) to the Pennsylvania Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics Foundation (PANDF@gmail.com) electronically by March 31, 2025.
   2. The director should convey and verify to the applicant that their endorsement form was submitted to the Foundation by the required date.