Her advocacy work focuses on professional issues for dietitians and nutrition professionals and includes coverage and reimbursement for Medical Nutrition Therapy, Nutrition Informatics, and Work Force Demands. As a nationally recognized expert in obesity, Ms. Blankenship has emphasized the need for comprehensive obesity treatment in her advocacy efforts. Ms. Blankenship also oversees state government relations, including consumer protection and licensure initiatives, grass roots advocacy and regulatory affairs. She manages the Academy’s Political Action Committee, Legislative and Public Policy Committee and the Consumer Protection and Licensure Subcommittee for the Academy.