Before my retirement, I was a dietitian in a London teaching hospital. Following the NHS Reorganisation 1973 Act, dietitians were becoming involved in preventative medicine.

The aim of my Fellowship was to obtain an insight into the organisation and areas of work in the field of public health nutrition in the United States. On my return I was appointed head of the Nutrition and Dietetic Department, with responsibility for clinical and community services.

As a British delegate to the European Federation of the Association of Dietitians (EFAD), I worked on a number of projects with colleagues from Europe. I was privileged to be elected Honorary President of EFAD and worked towards achieving a pan-European standard for dietetic education which was accepted by all member countries of EFAD.

I chaired the organising committee for the 13th International Congress of Dietetics held in Edinburgh in 2000, and that year was elected the first chair of the board of directors of the International Confederation of Dietetic Associations.

My Fellowship was a once-in-a-lifetime experience, giving me the opportunity to network with colleagues and promote the benefits of dietary interventions to policymakers.