Distinguished Service Award winners Kristi Salisbury (above) and Bonnie Lonbaken (r., bottom). (r., top) President William St. John recognizes Linda Hackworth, one of several past chairs in attendance, during the 50th Anniversary Leadership Recognition Banquet.

The Dietary Manager Association celebrated its golden anniversary at its recent national conference in Chicago over the Fourth of July holiday. The highlight of the get-together was a gala banquet on the conference's second evening, where Association President/CEO William St. John and Chair Sue Wilkins recognized past chairs who were the honored guests at the festivities. The evening also featured personal greetings from representatives of several allied foreign dietary associations.

DMA also announced its annual award winners at the banquet. They included Wanda Dickson, CDM, CFPP (Public Policy & Advocacy Award), Linda Halverson, CDM, CFPP (Legacy Award) and Bonnie Lonbaken, RD, and Kristi Salisbury, CDM, CFPP (co-winners of the Distinguished Service Award). The Illinois DMA Chapter was named the Diamond Award winner.

The meeting also included the usual educational sessions and panel discussions in which issues critical to the dietary management profession were discussed.