The Mid-South Eating Disorders Association (MSEDA) has announced its formation and board of directors, as well as its inaugural meeting on Thursday, March 1. MSEDA was formed as a community resource dedicated to education, treatment, and networking for all eating disorders treatment providers.
Treatment providers who devote some or all of their practice to treating eating disorders are rare and likely unaware of others who work with the ED community. We are pleased to have a dedicated professional organization to build community among treatment professionals in the Mid-South, which will improve our ability to provide comprehensive solutions for those struggling with this devastating illness.”
MSEDA is open to all behavioral health counselors, nutrition specialists, medical professionals, school/college counselors, and interested treatment providers who seek to build community, awareness of treatment resources, and understanding of the complex needs of those dealing with eating disorders. The organization is proud to have a strong board of directors with widespread knowledge of the specifics of ED treatments, including McCann; Michelle Bowden, MD; and Angie Wallick, MS, RDN, CSR, LDN.
McCann is the founder and executive clinical director of Fairhaven Treatment Center for Eating Disorders. She earned her Doctor of Philosophy at Kansas State University, is a licensed psychologist, Certified Rehabilitation Counselor, and Certified Eating Disorders Specialist. In addition to holding a Mental Health Service Provider designation, she has demonstrated competency in the areas of social-personality psychology and statistics and measurement. She is a member of the American Psychological Association, the Eating Disorders Coalition of Tennessee, and the Academy for Eating Disorders.
Bowden, an assistant professor at the University of Tennessee Health Science Center and Adolescent Medicine Physician at Le Bonheur Children’s Hospital, will lead MSEDA’s effort to provide education and awareness for eating disorders in adolescents. Eating disorders can develop at a young age, and Bowden’s role will be to offer knowledge and educational resources to help both treatment providers and parents recognize symptoms early on.
Wallick is a nutrition therapist with Memphis Nutrition Group, devoting a portion of her practice to the diagnosis and treatment of eating disorders. She is a member of the International Association of Eating Disorders Professionals (IAEDP) and a member of the International Federation of Eating Disorder Dietitians (IFEDD).
“What a wonderful opportunity for professionals who provide eating disorder treatment to come together as a community,” said Wallick. “With MSEDA, I believe this can strengthen our interdisciplinary collaboration when caring for clients, increase our professional growth with learning opportunities, and expand our professional network. I am honored to be a part of this group.”
The inaugural MSEDA meeting will be held Thursday, March 1, at 6:30 p.m. at Embassy Suites Memphis. The agenda includes:
Launching the MSEDA organization
Introducing the MSEDA board of directors, mission and charter
Establishing the basic goals and direction for MSEDA
Education and awareness agenda tied to IAEDP, AED, NEDA/BEDA national conferences
For more information or to register, contact MSEDA Director Suzanne Horsley at shorsley@www.fairhaventc.com.