NUMC’S FOOD AND NUTRITION DIRECTOR, THERESA GIANGARRA, HONORED BY ADULTS AND CHILDREN WITH LEARNING AND DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES, INC.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
September 21, 2011

PRESS CONTACT:
Shelley Lotenberg
shelley@numc.edu
516-572-6055

NUMC’S FOOD AND NUTRITION DIRECTOR, THERESA GIANGARRA,  HONORED BY ADULTS AND CHILDREN WITH LEARNING AND DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES, INC.

 Recognized for outstanding support of ACLD’s efforts to secure meaningful jobs in the community

EAST MEADOW, NY…Arthur A. Gianelli, President/CEO of the NuHealth System, congratulated Theresa Giangarra, director of food and nutrition at the Nassau University Medical Center, upon being honored by the Adults and Children with Learning and Developmental Disabilities, Inc. (ACLD)  at the Twenty-Six Annual Employment Recognition Breakfast, on October 5th at the Huntington Hilton.  “We are delighted that the ACLD has selected Theresa Giangarra as its honoree for her outstanding support of ACLD’s efforts to secure meaningful jobs in the community, “said Gianelli.  “Ms. Giangarra’s continued commitment to hiring people with disabilities makes her an excellent choice as the ACLD 2011 Advocate of the Year Recipient.”

ACLD began in 1957 when a group of families came together to advocate for services for their children with disabilities.  The mission of ACLD is to support the pursuit of an enviable life for people with development disabilities by assisting individuals to make meaningful choices, providing an organizational culture which supports professional development and a commitment to the achievement of individual dreams and creating collaborative and supportive relationships with community partners that promote inclusion and excellence.

In a letter written to Ms. Giangarra, ACLD officials Susan Reed and Jeanie Shelton Clyne, congratulated Ms. Giangarra for her support of ACLD programs:  “Congratulations and thank you for helping people in our Supported Employment Program succeed in the workplace.  We look forward to having the opportunity to thank you and all of the dedicated staff of NUMC who have made a positive difference in the lives of the people in our program.”

“I am honored and humbled to have been named as a recipient of this year’s ACLD Advocate of the Year.  My staff and I are committed to continue making a positive difference in the lives of the young people in the ACLD program.  I accept this award on behalf of the entire NUMC Food and Nutrition Department. It takes all of us working together to make a difference” stated Ms. Giangarra.

Theresa Giangarra M.S., R.D., C.D.N. received her B.S. from SUNY Oneonta, M.S. from L.I. University in Greenvale. She is a registered dietitian, certified dietitian nutritionist in the State of New York.  Theresa has been the director of nutritional services at NUMC since January 1991.  Her prior experiences include chief dietitian and director of food service at St. Francis Hospital, Roslyn where she worked from 1977 to 1990. She has also served as an adjunct professor at L.I. University in the Dietetic/ Nutrition Program. She is the recipient of the Outstanding Alumna Award from C.W. Post, Leadership Recognition Award from the American Heart Association and served as chairperson of the dietary committee for Nassau Suffolk Hospital Association.  She is an active member in the American Dietetic Association and the Association of Healthcare Food Service. Ms. Giangarra who resides in Northport is married to Bill and has two daughters and three step sons.

About NuHealth
NuHealth is a Long Island health care organization delivering essential medical care and disease and lifestyle management to everyone at every stage of life.  Also known as Nassau Health Care Corporation, NuHealth is a public benefit corporation managing the operations of Nassau Medical Center, A. Holly Patterson Extended Care and a network of Family Health Centers that bring primary and specialty care out into the community.  By emphasizing wellness, cultural sensitivity and collaborative efforts with the North Shore-LIJ Health System, NuHealth is working to make good care more affordable and easier to access.
For more information about NuHealth or its Centers of Care, visit www.nuhealth.net.