“Volunteering after Hurricane Katrina helped me see the unmet needs of families during disasters,” says registered dietitian Dianne Lollar, MPH, RD, LD, who put her experience as an airplane pilot to use by flying water, ice, food and power saws to families in the hurricane-ravaged town of Waynesboro, Miss. “It was also an opportunity to provide information to agencies and organizations on how they can improve their service to those in need during a disaster.”
Lollar lives near Oakman, Ala., on a small sustainable farm, where she grows vegetables, fruits and herbs. She is the nutrition director for Public Health Area 1, working with the Women, Infants and Children Program. Lollar is also a preceptor to dietetic students from the University of Alabama and teaches an online community nutrition course. “I became a registered dietitian,” she says, “because of my interest in food and how the selection of food relates to good health.”
When the devastating tornados of April 2011 caused damage to Lollar’s farm, her community turned out to help. “As one who lives to serve others, it was overwhelming to see others helping me,” says Lollar. “It brought the spirit of kindness, caring and love I am sure the families of Hurricane Katrina felt as we worked to assist them in 2005.”
She adds, “I truly believe we can all make the world a better place to live. Growing up, my parents always stressed the importance of helping others to have a better life. Each night at the dinner table we discussed ‘what have you done to help someone along life’s way? What have you done to improve your life today?’ Those family discussions many years ago have had a profound effect on my life and work.”
