Member Spotlight: Sonja Connor, MS, RDN, LN

Sonja Connor, MS, RDN, LN, began her journey with the National Lipid Association in the summer of 2009 and served on the Pacific Lipid Board from 2009–2010. When Sonja found out she was selected for the member spotlight she was elated and provided a very detailed glimpse into her life. Sonja’s contributions are geared to the advancement of lifestyle changes as her prime focus to combat coronary disease. 

Q: What triggered your interest in dietetics?

A: Growing up on the plains of Western Kansas in the 1950s where my mother ran a diner, I always said: “No matter what I do in life, for sure it will have nothing to do with food.” I attended Kansas State University in home economics. I loved every area in which I took a course — clothing and textiles, food and nutrition, early child education, family economics, etc. During my junior year, my advisor said I had to choose a major. I said I could not decide. She replied that my major would be dietetics. And so it was dietetics — and food! 

Q: What motivated you to be involved in research?

 A: I went to the University of Iowa for my dietetic internship and master’s degree. I got involved with Jack Filer, MD, and Sam Fomom, MD, in their pediatric research. My thesis project involved Prader-Willi Syndrome; Hans Zellweger, MD, was the lead investigator. I then went to work in the Clinical Research Center and was involved in many research studies. The weekly grand rounds that included researchers across the clinical spectrum was inspiring and provided me with an unimaginably wonderful education that made me want to spend my professional life involved in research. This is where I met and married William E. Connor, MD, (Bill) which led to 47 years of cutting edge research on coronary disease that included metabolic feeding studies with cholesterol, saturated and polyunsaturated fat, as well as fiber. Shortly after moving to Portland, Ore., I was involved in designing and conducting a five-year coronary prevention project (1978–1984) in which 233 families worked at changing to heart-healthy eating habits — long before anyone was thinking about heart-healthy eating for the population and that led to the production of our three nationally published cookbooks. We were always challenged to do more than we ever thought we could so we did. We were challenged — we were inspired. These families eating styles met the Dietary Guidelines by the end of the study — at a time there was a paucity of foods and recipes that met the guidelines. I was also involved in the 20 years of research on omega-3 fatty acids — first on lipids and thrombosis and then on the developing brain and retina that led to the addition of DHA to infant formula. Bill’s and my last research project was on lutein and zeaxanthin and macular degeneration, retinopathy of prematurity, and their transfer across the placenta and into human milk. It was an incredible 47-year ride!   

Q: How did you become involved with the NLA?

A: Bill, as well as my esteemed colleague, Bart Duell, MD, were involved in the NLA from the beginning, but it was Matt Ito, PhD, who brought me into the NLA. He asked me to serve on the board. Unfortunately, I was not able to actively participate because of Bill’s health problems. I was honored to become a Fellow of the NLA in 2010 and so enjoyed giving a presentation at the annual meeting in 2015. My heart is in lipids and I hope to increase my participation in the NLA. 

Q: What would you like to see occur in the field of lipidology?

A: I long for the day the lifestyle associated for maximum treatment and prevention of coronary disease is embraced by the healthcare arena and by the culture! The development of lipid drugs has been phenomenal over my professional career. I wish the desire of the culture to adopt a healthy lifestyle would mimic the desire for the development of new lipid drugs. 

Q: Tell me about your hobbies outside of the office.

A: My biggest hobby is being the “fairy grandmother” to my nine grandchildren and three great grandchildren. I have been the homeschool teacher to four of the grandchildren on Wednesday for the last seven years. I recently completed my threeyear term as president-elect, president, and past president of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. I serve on the boards of a homeless shelter for families with children, the Marquam Nature Park, and a large retirement community and am highly involved in the First United Methodist Church. I have a large vegetable garden and yard that keeps me busy. I do yoga and walk five miles twice a week with friends. I love to cook for family and friends. 

Q: What is something surprising that most people do not know about you?

A: I have a 1982 VW Vanagon (camper van with a pop top) that I have driven to work forever (the medical students get a laugh seeing me drive into the parking lot). The van has been on all our annual family camping trips. 

Q: Is there anything else our readers would be interested in knowing about you? 

A: We have a fabulous Lipid Disorders Clinic at Oregon Health & Science University. It has always had an interdisciplinary focus with the physicians, nurses, and dietitians working closely to bring the best to our patients. In the early 1980s the dietitians instituted serving food at every clinic so patients as well as staff could taste great recipes. We also produced the “Lipid News” four times a year that went to our patients as well as to all primary care physicians in Oregon and Southern Washington. We used the newsletter to provide our take on what was currently circulating in the media and to share new heart-healthy food products we had tried and liked as well as new recipes. This allowed us to keep in contact with patients who we only saw a few times a year.  The Lipid Disorders Clinic is currently under the direction of Sergio Fazio, MD, and serves patients from all over Oregon, the Northwest, and other parts of the country. Dr. Fazio and the other physicians, physician assistants, dietitians, and nurses offer cutting edge therapy to these patients. Dr. Fazio and Tracy Severson, RDN, are providing state of the art nutrition counseling as well as fabulous cooking classes/demonstrations. n