Scholarly concentration in Culinary and Medical Nutrition

Coordinator: Karen Bain RDN, LD, CDCES

This scholarly concentration program was developed and first implemented in 2001.
Description of activities and student responsibilities:

  • Students will be expected to participate in various educational and research activities over the span of 4 years (approximately 320 hours).

Emphasis on three areas for involvement:

  1. Culinary medicine longitudinal study- curriculum development with active peer-instruction and assessment development. Teach a minimum of five (5) modules to medical students/residents
  2. Direct and lead Lifestyle Medicine Interest Group
  3. Culinary Medicine community outreach- research/class development using
    health meets food curriculum.

Objectives:

  • Complete an integrated educational experience that will promote an understanding of the role of nutrition in disease prevention and treatment;
  • Design, participate, and/or expand on a comprehensive research project beginning in the first and second years of medical school and/or actively participate in longitudinal Culinary Medicine study.
  • Participate in all phases of the clinical research process from hypothesis generation to mastering an oral/written presentation at a student research meeting and/or at other professional meetings as appropriate;
  • Participate in all phases of the clinical or culinary medicine research process from hypothesis generation to mastering an oral/written presentation at a student research meeting and/or at other professional meetings as appropriate
  • Publish results of research project (optional)

IRB, HIPAA and FERPA requirements will be honored.

By the end of the four-year experience, the student will have submitted/presented a scholarly product such as a poster or oral presentation, culinary medicine nutrition module, a peer-reviewed publication, or peer-reviewed patient education material (handouts, website, etc.).

The student will receive a Scholarly Concentration in Culinary and Medical Nutrition Award at the Awards Ceremony during graduation week. (Note: this award does not appear on the transcript or diploma.)

Timeline:

First Year (may begin in Summer or 1-2 year): work with a faculty mentor to develop a research project or work with ongoing Culinary and Medical Nutrition Longitudinal research project.

  • If required, complete research application for approval from the UNR Office of Research Integrity; and
  • Begin research project or continue data collection/abstract presentations

Second Year:

  • Continue/complete research;
  • If completed, present research findings at a research forum or professional meeting.
  • Culinary and Medical Nutrition lecture presentation and peer instruction

Third Year (During Clerkships):

  • If not already completed, continue research, and if completed, present research findings at research forum or professional meeting
  • Complete and submit clerkship log incorporating the application of nutrition knowledge with at least three patients during your clerkships

Fourth Year Culinary and Medical Nutrition (Electives):

  • Enroll in nutrition elective: minimum of 1 credit or about 40 hours. The elective can be tailored to your interests and anticipated future practice specialty and will combine clinical experiences and independent study. It may be integrated with other electives;
  • Serve as a mentor/resource of clinical experiences in nutrition for the concentration at large
  • If not already completed, continue research, and present research findings at research forum or professional meeting; and
  • Attend the Awards Ceremony to receive a Culinary and Medical Nutrition award.

If you would like more information or are interested in applying for a Scholarly Concentration in Culinary and Medical Nutrition Scholarship, please contact Karen Bain RDN, LD, CDCES.