Instructor of Health Promotion
Faculty Advisor, Peer Advocates for Campus Education (PACE)
434.544.8589
340A Courts, Office #2
Experience
- January 2015 – present, Instructor, University of Lynchburg, Department of Health Promotion
- 2009-2014, Owner, TCP Nutrition Management, Inc.,
- 2008-2011, Lynchburg City Schools School Health Advisory Board Member
- 2005 – 2014, Dietetic Internship Preceptor, Virginia Tech, Radford, & Eastern Michigan University
- 18 years of experience in the field of Dietetics including:
- Acute care, long term acute care, assisted living, long term care, and hospice/palliative care
- Nutrition support (enteral and parenteral feeding)
- Nutrition management and education of patients with multiple medical issues including decubitus ulcers, surgical wounds, ventilator weaning, mental health, cancer, diabetes, heart disease, and organ transplantation (heart and kidney)
- Healthcare quality assurance programs, healthcare regulatory compliance
- Food service and sanitation consulting, menu development, nutritional analysis
Education
- Doctoral Student, Health Education – A.T. Still University, ABD status, September 2017
- Certified Health Education Specialist (CHES) from the National Commission for Health Education Credentialing, Inc., April 2018
- MS, Health Sciences, Nutrition Concentration – James Madison University, 2013
- Dietetic Internship – Virginia Tech University, 1997-1998
- BS, Human Nutrition & Foods – Virginia Tech University, 1996
Awards
- 2007 US Foodservice Outstanding Member of the Consultant Dietitians in Healthcare Facilities DPG
- 1997 Margaret McDonald Scholarship, Virginia Dietetic Association
- 1997 Horizon Scholarship, Consultant Dietitians in Health Care Facilities
- 1996 American Dietetic Association Outstanding Dietetic Student for the State of Virginia
Professional Affiliations
- Zeta Omega Chapter of Phi Epsilon Kappa National Honor Fraternity
- Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics
- Reimbursement Advisor, Virginia Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics (VAND)
- Communications Chair, Blue Ridge Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics (BRAND)
- Health Division, School Health Chair-Elect, Virginia Association of Health, Physical Education, Recreation, and Dance (VAHPERD)
Teaching Areas
- Nutrition
- Life Choices for Health and Wellness
- Research for Health Promotion
- Medical Terminology
- Human Disease
- Global Health
Professional Interests
- Primary research: Weight bias in healthcare
- Nutrition in college and geriatric populations
- Healthcare literacy and patient education
- Modern technology and personal health management
- Vitamins and minerals as adjunctive therapy
Personal Information
In my spare time, I enjoy photography, photo editing, cooking, and spending time with my husband, four children, and my two dogs.