Local Registered Dietitian, Mary Villalta Brooks, has been recognized as a member for 50 continuous years of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, the world’s largest organization of nutrition experts.
Mary attended the 50-year membership celebration during the national convention in Orlando, Florida, in October.
Seventy eight 50-year members were present to represent an organization of 112,000 Registered Dietitians.
Mary returned to Los Banos in January 1972 as the first Registered Dietitian at Los Banos Community Hospital (Memorial Hospital).
She was the first member of her immediate family to graduate from college, earn a degree and return to Los Banos to practice the profession.
During her career, she has been the Registered Dietitian at County Hospital of Merced and Mercy Hospital (Dignity Health) and program director/nutrition instructor of the Dietetic Technician / Assistant Program at Merced College.
Mary continues her affiliation with Memorial Hospital Los Banos and to date is the last of the original employees of the hospital when it opened 55 years ago.