SILVER SPRING, MD, JUNE 1, 2020: ASPEN, the American Society for Parenteral and Enteral Nutrition, is honored to welcome Todd W. Rice, MD, MSc, as its president for the 2020–2021 term. He assumes the leadership role from Lingtak-Neander Chan, PharmD, BCNSP, who served as ASPEN’s 43rd president.
Dr. Rice is an Associate Professor of Medicine in the Division of Allergy, Pulmonary, and Critical Care Medicine at Vanderbilt University. He also serves as Medical Director of the Medical Intensive Care Unit at Vanderbilt University Hospital, Vanderbilt Human Research Protections Program, and Vanderbilt’s Critical Care Clinical Trials Coordinating Center.
“As a recognized expert in the care of the critically ill ventilated patients, Dr. Rice’s leadership will be particularly valuable at this time,” said ASPEN Chief Executive Officer Wanda Johnson, CMP, CAE, FACEHP. “Our entire membership will benefit from his experience and insights as we work to provide nutrition support information for patients with COVID-19.”
“The pivotal role ASPEN plays in bringing multidisciplinary care to patients has never been more important,” said Dr. Rice. “I look forward to continuing ASPEN’s leadership in implementing best practices based on sound scientific evidence and research and to advancing the strategic mission of the organization.”
A graduate of Notre Dame University, Dr. Rice received his Doctor of Medicine and fulfilled his residency training at Indiana University School of Medicine. He then completed Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine Fellowship training at Vanderbilt University where he obtained a Master of Science in Clinical Investigation with a nutrition-focused research project, “Timing of Target Enteral Feeding in the Mechanically Ventilated Patient.”
Dr. Rice continues to conduct clinical research in the ICU in patients with sepsis, ARDS, and acute respiratory failure. He is part of the leadership group for the ASPEN-supported EFFORT Trial on the protein needs of critically ill adults, and he helped write the ASPEN/SCCM 2016 Clinical Guidelines on Provision and Assessment of Nutritional Therapy for Critically Ill Patients.
Dr. Rice has been an ASPEN member since 2007. He has served on the Abstract Review Committee for 6 years, including 3 years as its co-chair, the physician engagement committee for all three years since its inception, and the board of directors for 4 years. In addition to his leadership roles, he is a frequent speaker and participant in ASPEN’s educational programs.
For more information about ASPEN, its board of directors, publications, and training programs, visit www.nutritioncare.org.
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About the American Society for Parenteral and Enteral Nutrition
The American Society for Parenteral and Enteral Nutrition (ASPEN) is dedicated to improving patient care by advancing the science and practice of nutrition support therapy and metabolism. Founded in 1976, ASPEN is an interdisciplinary organization whose members are involved in the provision of clinical nutrition therapies, including parenteral and enteral nutrition. With more than 6,000 members from around the world, ASPEN is a community of dietitians, nurses, nurse practitioners, pharmacists, physicians, scientists, students, and other health professionals from every facet of nutrition support clinical practice, research, and education. For more information about ASPEN, please visit www.nutritioncare.org.