Amy Baumann Sapsford, ’81, was honored with the Professional Achievement Award from Eastern Kentucky University (EKU). The Best of Eastern Alumni Awards, presented annually during Homecoming weekend, celebrate excellence among EKU alumni. The Professional Achievement Award recognizes individuals who have made significant and lasting service to their field, earning the respect and admiration of their peers and colleagues.
For Amy, EKU was never just a choice—it was family. Following in her sister’s footsteps, she came to EKU from Fort Thomas, Kentucky, and soon blazed her own trail in dietetics. From her early involvement in Lambda Sigma and Mortar Board to the guidance of faculty mentors like Dr. Betty Powers and Dr. Effie Creamer, Amy found both community and preparation for a career that would become pioneering in pediatric nutrition.
“Several faculty helped me excel in my chosen field and helped mentor me to achieve a spot in a very competitive dietetic internship,” Amy said.
After completing her internship at Miami Valley Hospital, Amy discovered her calling in neonatal intensive care, a specialty still in its infancy within dietetics. She spent seven years at Dayton Children’s before moving to Cincinnati Children’s, where she served for more than three decades until her retirement in 2021. A recognized leader in her field, she continues to shape pediatric nutrition through her work with the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics and as a trustee for the Gerber Foundation, reviewing pediatric nutrition research for funding.
Yet, Amy measures success not only in professional milestones but also in family and faith. She and her husband, Simon, raised three children while honoring the memory of their first son, Dean, who died in infancy. His short life continues to inspire their service, most recently through supporting the building of a preschool in South Africa with Build the Future, ensuring children there have access to nutrition and education.
While Amy’s impact is global, she is quick to share all she has learned and earned closer to home through her service on the College of Education and Applied Human Sciences Advisory Board and the establishment of the Amy Baumann Sapsford Dietetics Endowed Scholarship. With a family legacy that includes six Baumann siblings graduating from EKU and now multiple grandchildren, Amy’s story is one of perseverance, service and lasting impact.
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