About
Leadership and Faculty of the Culinary Medicine Program at the University of South Alabama Mitchell Cancer Institute
Jennifer Young Pierce, MD, MPH, FACOG
Dr. Jennifer Y. Pierce was recruited to MCI from the Medical University of South Carolina, where she served as GYN Oncology Disease Team Leader at Hollings Cancer Center and Associate Professor in Obstetrics and Gynecology.
With a degree in medicine from MUSC and degrees in engineering and public health from the University of Virginia – Charlottesville, Dr. Pierce became the first female gynecologic oncologist in South Carolina in 2009. Dr. Pierce serves on the National HPV Roundtable as well as on the cervical cancer and immunotherapy committees for the NRG, the cooperative clinical trials group of the NCI. Dr. Pierce treats patients suffering from gynecologic malignancies, including all medical and surgical aspects.
Jenna M. James, MPH
Associate Manager, Cancer Control and Prevention at University of South Alabama Mitchell Cancer Institute
Research Interests
Nursing college student wellness and obesity prevention
Social determinants of health for low-income individuals and families
Healthy nutrition, meal planning, and meal preparation interventions for families
Prevention of obesity and related chronic disease
Health-related quality of life of adults with Down syndrome
Health and wellness of vulnerable populations including low-income individuals and families, adults with Down syndrome, and adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities
The Culinary Medicine Program for Medical Students at the University of South Alabama Mitchell Cancer Institute
Programming was offered to medical students starting in the 2015 – 2016 academic year at the Mitchell Cancer Institute teaching kitchen. The courseware was offered in cohorts of 16 with two groups that year.
In the 2017 – 2018 year the programming was moved to the Bishop Community College and has been implemented as an inter-professional course with medical students, physical therapy students and nursing students. This model has been repeated through this year and there is a great working relationships between the University and colleagues at Bishop State.
The Culinary Medicine Program for Residents at the University of South Alabama Mitchell Cancer Institute
No programming at this time.
Fellowship Programming
No programming at this time.
The Culinary Medicine Program for the Community at the University of South Alabama Mitchell Cancer Institute
Wise Woman Program
Community classes were initially marketed through the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention WISEWOMAN program in conjunction with the Alabama department of health. The WISEWOMAN (Well-Integrated Screening and Evaluation for WOMen Across the Nation) program was created to help women understand and reduce their risk for heart disease and stroke by providing services to promote lasting heart-healthy lifestyles. Working with low-income, uninsured and underinsured women aged 40 to 64 years, the program provides heart disease and stroke risk factor screenings and services that promote healthy behaviors.
In the early detection program participants are screened for being at higher risk for coronary disease. As a WISEWOMAN provider Mitchell incorporated the Health meets Food Adult Community Beginner Series starting in 2017. This is run as cohorts of 16 to 20 community members. Up to 120 women have been involved in the programming.
2017 = 3 cohorts
2018 = 3 cohorts
2019 = 1 cohorts
Cancer Survivorship
Jenna James launched a series using the Health meets Food Adult Community Beginner Series adapted for cancer survivors. The programming was offered to patients alongside their caregivers and families. Attendance at these classes has been high with a 100% completion rate.
Funding
Funding has been through a variety of grants:
• The Daniel Foundation
• CDC WISEWOMAN Program
• Mitchell Cancer Institute
