Who we are

Dietitians of Newfoundland and Labrador (DNL) is a provincial professional group comprised of volunteer members who are dietitians, dietetic students, dietetic interns, and retired dietitians. Our mission is to strengthen the collective impact of the dietetic profession to improve food, nutrition, health and wellbeing in Newfoundland and Labrador.

Objectives

  • We exist to advocate for food, nutrition, and dietetic topics important to Newfoundland and Labrador, provide a forum for members to identify, prioritize, and take action on issues, and advocate to decision-makers and interest holders.

  • We aim to promote dietitians as the trusted and credible source of nutrition expertise, to contribute to campaigns that raise the profile of dietitians, and to promote access to evidence-based information on food and nutrition.

  • We exist to build connections among members and the dietetic profession. We aim to build connections among dietitians, students, interns, and retirees across all regions and practice areas, and liaise with other relevant regional, provincial, or national organizations.

  • We aim to build capacity among members and the dietetic profession, and to engage members in knowledge and resource sharing to support continuing education.

“First we eat, then we do

everything else.”

- M.K. Fisher

Executive Team

Co-Chair - Dr. Rachel Prowse

Rachel Prowse is a Registered Dietitian with a PhD in Health Promotion and Sociobehavioural Sciences (University of Alberta). She works as an Assistant Professor of Nutrition and Dietetics in the Faculty of Medicine at Memorial University and is the Program Coordinator of the Masters of Public Health (Nutrition and Dietetics) Program. Her work includes supporting dietetic education, dietetic practice, and research in public health nutrition, food environments, food policy and population health. 

Co-Chair - Patricia Lawlor

Patricia has been a Registered Dietitian for 30 years and is also a trained Health Coach. She recently retired from NL Health Services Central Zone, where she held the role of Primary Health Care Facilitator for 19 years. As a Dietitian in a non-traditional role, she has gained experience in community development by engaging with colleagues and community members to identify issues, determine solutions and work towards making our communities healthy. Now that she is retired, Patricia will continue as a Registered Dietitian and volunteer in areas that she loves such as advocating for the dietetic profession. Patricia has raised 2 beautiful daughters who have become passionate professionals as well, a Registered Dietitian and a Social Worker. In her spare time she loves cooking, knitting, walking in the woods, gardening and now travelling with her husband.

Communications Co-Lead - Natasha Lawlor

Natasha graduated from St. Francis Xavier University with a Bachelor of Science in Human Nutrition in 2020 and from Memorial University with a Masters in Public Health in 2022. She has been working as a sole charge Clinical Dietitian in Bonavista, Eastern Rural Zone, since 2022. As a Dietitian in rural NL, she helps people of all ages improve health by meeting their nutritional needs and promoting food literacy. She works on many interdisciplinary teams and is a constant advocate for the dietetic profession. When Natasha is not at work, she loves to try new recipes and spends her weekends baking bread or enjoying scenic hikes.

Communications Co-Lead - Sarah Jane Downton

Open Positions

Secretary

This position is currently open. Key roles include: scheduling meetings and sending reminders to members, recording meeting minutes and tracking action items, maintaining group documents, and ensuring minutes and key updates are shared with the broader membership in a timely way.

Those interested in this position may inquire by emailing contact@dietitiansnl.ca or filling out the contact form below.

Student Contributors

Aliya Seward

Graduate Student (Masters of Public Health - Memorial University)

Melanie Walsh

Graduate Student (Masters of Public Health - Memorial University)

Contact us

Interested in working together? Fill out some info and we will be in touch shortly. We can’t wait to hear from you!