AHF extends its congratulations to past president Leisa Bryant, MBA, MA, RDN, CPXP, FACHE, Executive Director of Food, Nutrition, & Patient Transpiration Services at The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, on receiving the prestigious 2026 Silver Plate Award for Healthcare from the International Foodservice Manufacturers Association (IFMA).
“Since 1954, IFMA has recognized extraordinary operator executives with the IFMA Silver Plate Award. Winners are chosen from a slate of industry nominees by a distinguished jury of trade press editors and previous award winners.”
Leisa Bryant’s leadership has long exemplified the highest standards of self-operated excellence in healthcare foodservice. As a past president of AHF, she provided thoughtful, steady leadership that strengthened the association and reinforced its mission to support and elevate self-operated professionals. Her influence within AHF continues through her mentorship, advocacy, and unwavering commitment to developing future leaders across the membership.
In her role as Executive Director at MD Anderson, Leisa brings that same vision to life through operational excellence, patient-centered innovation, and an unwavering focus on the patient experience. A Dietitian by training, she leads with both clinical expertise and genuine compassion, fostering immersive, inclusive environments where teams feel connected, valued, and empowered. Respected throughout the industry, Leisa is widely recognized as a trusted mentor whose leadership creates a true sense of belonging while inspiring excellence at every level.
Congratulations, Leisa, on this well-earned recognition of your outstanding accomplishments!
Previous IFMA Gold & Silver Plate Award in Healthcare Winners that are also AHF Members:
| 2025 Ryan Conklin CEC Director & Executive Chef, Culinary and Nutrition Services UNC Health Rex | 2024 Dave Reeves MBA System Director, Food and Nutrition Services Lee Health |
| 2023 Randy Sparrow CDM Director, Food & Environmental Services ProHealth Care | 2022 Cheryl Shimmin MBA, RD Executive Director of Retail, Culinary, & Nutrition Care Kettering Health |
| 2021 Antoinette “Toni” Watkins MS, RDNDirector, System Nutrition Riverside Health System | 2020 Eric Eisenberg CEC, CCA, CDM, CFPP Director of Dining Services Rogue Valley Manor |
| 2019 Bill Marks Director, Food Nutrition and Environmental Services Hennepin Healthcare | 2018 Jim McGrody Culinary Director UNC Rex Healthcare |
| 2017 Patti Oliver Director of Nutrition UCLA Health System | 2016 Diane Imrie Director of Nutrition Services University of Vermont Medical Center |
| 2015 Julie Jones MS, RD Director, Nutrition Services Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center | 2014 Lisette Coston Executive Director of Support Services Saint Francis Health System |
| 2013 Angelo Mojica CEC, RD Director of Nutrition & Services/ Associate Professor UNC Hospitals/UNC Gillings School of Global Health | 2012 Dan Henroid MS, RD Director, Nutrition and Food Services UCSF Medical Center |
| 2011 Bruce Thomas MBA Associate Vice President of Guest Services Geisinger Health Systems | 2010 Tony Almeida Director, Food & Nutrition/Environmental/Host Services Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital |
| 2009 Betty J. Perez RD, DHCFA Director of Food & Nutrition Services University of Medicine & Dentistry of New Jersey – The University Hospital | 2008 Mary Angela Miller MS, RDN Administrative Director, Nutrition Services Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center |
| 2007 Kris Schroeder Director of Nutrition Services Swedish Medical Center |
* These are the winners from the past 19 years, dating back to 2007. However, the history of AHF members receiving this prestigious award stretches far beyond that. Since AHF’s formation in 2009, every IFMA Silver Plate winner in healthcare has been an AHF member. Prior to 2009, AHF’s legacy associations, the American Society for Healthcare Food Service Administrators (ASHFSA) and the National Society for Healthcare Foodservice Management (HFM), proudly boasted a long and distinguished history of IFMA Silver Plate winners among their members. Both AHF and our legacy associations are also proud to count IFMA Gold Plate winners among our membership!
30 Jan 2026