introduction Now more than ever, we need to ramp up our outreach in all
areas of dietetics practice and take the lead in analyzing evidence, recognizing bias, reporting conclusions honestly, and suggesting where findings might lead. Tis is what it means to be a science- based profession.
NEW FRONTIERS
It is impossible to be an authority unless you are willing to look at the future and embrace change—or even create it. Early in my career in the corporate sector, I saw the importance of change and the critical nature of moving forward when the window of opportunity opens. When I was at Abbott Nutrition (then Ross Laboratories), Nobel laureate Maurice Maeterlinck’s words were displayed prominently in the president’s office: “At every cross- roads on the path that leads to the future, tradition has placed 10,000 men to guard the past.” Tis reminder about the role of change, as well as its challenges, is as applicable today as it was at the beginning of my career. While we acknowledge the value of past achievements, we must break through barriers that hold us back from embracing and leading change. As you read this book, my hope is that you will ask your- self questions such as: What is my role today? How has my role changed over time? What tools will I need to advance my career? What will my future look like as I join other RDNs and profes- sional colleagues to lead the profession in the decades to come?