Nevada County Picayune and Gurdon Times Newspaper Archive

West Named Director Of Nutrition

Margaret West is the director of nutrition services and weight control system manager at the Magnolia Hospital.

West began her career at the age of 21, working as a tray-aid in the dietary department at Jefferson Regional Medical Center (JRMC) in Pine Bluff. She has since earned her bachelor's and master's degrees and become a registered dietitian.

She received her B.S. degree in institutional dietetics from the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff in 1979. That same year she received a dietetic internship from the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences campus and the Veterans Administration.

She earned her master of science in nutrition and dietetics from Louisiana Tech University in 1993.

West worked as the assistant director of dietetics at JRMC from 1981 through 1983. In 1984, she became the nutrition consultant for the State Area Agencies on Aging.

She moved to Magnolia in 1986 and became the director of nutrition services and weight control system manager at the Magnolia Hospital. She also serves as an adjunct professor at Southern Arkansas University.

She has made a number of professional presentations around the state.

West has served on the ArDA (Arkansas Dietetic Association) board as the chair of marketing and public relations, served two terms as legislative network coordinator for the ArDA, served on the American Dietetic Association legislative and public policy committee and participated as a facilitator at the 1997 American Dietetic Association legislative symposium in Washington, D.C.

She is also a member of the American Dietetic Association and the Arkansas Dietetic Association, where she served as president from 1994-95.

She writes a bi-weekly recipe column for the Magnolia Banner News and has written over 50 articles for area papers on nutrition and health. She has produced 10 videos for marketing weight loss programs and the frozen meal program of the Magnolia Hospital.

West is the daughter of Vealetta Kellebrew and the late Carl C. Willey of Prescott.