Nominee's Key Links:
Bio: www.linkedin.com/in/gabriella-darrow-639b58a1
Resume or CV: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1x3PR_HLa2rQy70KGu72fRahTLuLSbmfO/view?usp=sharing
Writing or Publications:
Website:
Video:
Socials:
Agency or agencies for which nominator feels nominee is best suited:
Organization name(s) and position(s) for which nominator feels nominee is best suited:
Prevention and Wellness, Registered Dietitian, Health Coach, Health Promotion
Policies which the nominator knows the nominee supports or in which they have expertise:
I started a professional career as a registered dietitian at the Montana Women's Infant and Children (WIC) food assistance program. The WIC program changed my mind about food assistance programs; recipients were allocated vouchers for a variety of nutrient-dense foods to assistance in the monthly cost of foods. I believe that food plays in huge role in the healing of our nation, and when food assistant programs are done correctly, can reduce the cost of healthcare, improve healthcare outcomes, increase productivity in the workforce, and ultimately heal the public. I often explain how to reform SNAP benefits in order to make American healthy again and lower healthcare costs. Right now, I believe we are double dipping into taxpayer dollars by allowing highly processed foods to be purchased with SNAP benefits and then treating the chronic diseases from these foods with healthcare dollars. I believe that food assistance programs should only allow foods that are beneficial to physical and mental health, not contributing to the problem further.
The majority of my career assisted military members and families at an air force medical facility. A few years into this job, I made the link that current dietary recommendations and what is taught in conventional dietetics worked for some, but not all. I decided to obtain my master's degree in functional and integrative nutrition in order to find the root cause of symptoms and gain education to personalize testing and nutrition recommendations further. As a full-time working mother, I decided to leave my job and really focus on getting the most education from the program.
During the program, I also focused on behavioral theories and was trained in health coaching, which helps individuals find personal motivations to make lasting changes that are important to him or her. I believe that empathy and allowing individuals to find intrinsic reasons for change will lead to better outcomes than compared to recommendations alone.
I also love to cook whole food meals for families and friends. I always finding ways to make food more functional without compromising on taste. I believes that healthy foods should be affordable for all, and it is a basic human right. We should be able to trust that our foods are produced safely and are high quality. I am hopeful that the future of MAHA will incorporate food into the healthcare system and be used first to treat chronic diseases. Focusing more time and energy on a healthy food system will decrease the burden of healthcare costs.
Nominator's thoughts on what would make this nominee a valuable member of a future Trump Unity Government
1) Is Competent in the evolving discipline of nutrition, wellness, and behavioral change. I understand that real change has to take place at the individual, community, and policy levels.
2) Is Honest when an area is outside my scope of practice and I embrace an integrative approach where everyone is heard.
3) Is Respectful to all life and passionate to restore balance to all life by healing the food system.
4) Has Integrity to constantly use the gifts God gave me to leave future generations and the Earth better than I found it through hard work, perseverance, and love.
5) Has Courage to constantly reflect on my own actions, thoughts, and words so I can continue to heal and perform the work given to me more faithfully and fruitfully.
6) Has a Proven Record to build others up by instilling hope and self efficacy for all people in all situations.