The Culinary Medicine Program at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences
Leadership of the Culinary Medicine Program at UAMS
UAMS has a multi-disciplinary team focused on improving the lives of Arkansans through culinary medicine education and experiences. For our students, the curriculum combines education and clinical experiences to enhance their knowledge and ability to counsel patients on nutritional recommendations targeted to their specific health needs.
Through community outreach efforts, we will provide patient education and hands-on experience with healthy meal preparation with a focus on common chronic health conditions, such as diabetes, hypertension, etc. Our goal is also to expand our core of healthcare professionals educated in culinary medicine through interprofessional and CME programming.
Gloria Richard-Davis, MD, MBA, NCMP, FACOG
Professor, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences
Obstetrics & Gynecology
College of Medicine
Little Rock, AR
Academic Profile | Physician Profile
Gloria Richard-Davis, MD, FACOG offers OB/GYN offers services at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences. She serves as the lead instructor for UAMS Culinary Medicine Program.
Dr. Richard-Davis is Professor and Executive Director for UAMS Division of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion, Division Director for Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility, as well as Medical Director for the Physician Assistants program. She joined the UAMS faculty in January 2013. She is board certified in Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility and Obstetrics and Gynecology. She previously served as Professor and Chair of the Obstetrics and Gynecology Department at Meharry Medical College from January 2007 – 2012. Prior to her appointment, Dr. Richard-Davis served as the Section Head of Reproductive Health Services for Ochsner Clinic Foundation and the Medical Director of the Fertility Center at Ochsner from 2000-2007 in New Orleans. She was Assistant Dean in Student Affairs and Assistant Professor in the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology at Tulane University School of Medicine from 1994 – 1998.
Dr. Richard-Davis received her medical degree from Louisiana State University School of Medicine in 1982. She completed her residency training in Obstetrics and Gynecology at Madigan Army Medical Center in Tacoma, Washington from 1982 – 1986 and received her fellowship training in Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility at Wayne State University/ Hutzel Hospital in Detroit, Michigan. Dr. Richard-Davis has more than 25 years of experience in women’s health and reproductive endocrinology and in general obstetrics and gynecology. She has served in leadership positions in medical professional societies, including the American Society of Reproductive Medicine, the North American Menopause Society, and the American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology. She is an oral board examiner for ABOG. She is also the recipient of many awards and grants for her research and scholarly activities.
Her passion for culinary medicine grew out of her concern and focus on optimizing women’s health prior to conception for better pregnancy outcomes. Her polycystic ovarian patients that struggle with obesity and glucose abnormalities was the catalyst that started her focus on culinary medicine. As an undergraduate student she studied nutrition at Harvard University and it was there she gained her understanding of the importance of nutrition’s impact on health. Her areas of research and active interest include menopausal health, polycystic ovarian syndrome, female sexual dysfunction, uterine fibroids, ovulation induction, reproductive disruptors, and assisted reproductive technologies. She has authored over 50 peer-reviewed publications and a book on infertility entitled “Planning Parenthood: Strategies for Success in Fertility Assistance, Adoption, and Surrogacy.”
Stephanie Gardner, PhD, EdD
Provost, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences
Little Rock, AR
Academic Profile | Physician Profile Dr. Stephanie Gardner is the Provost and Chief Academic Officer of UAMS. She provides leadership to coordinate academic programs in partnership with the Deans and other campus officials. Dr. Gardner oversees a number of departments and programs that promote academic excellence and enrich the campus’ intellectual environment. She has led the strategic planning and launching of the Culinary Medicine program along with Dr. Richard-Davis, Lead Instructor and committee chairs. Interprofessional Education and Continuing Education is under her direction. The Provost also leads strategic planning efforts for the academic enterprise and works with Chancellor Patterson to develop and implement strategic campus initiatives.
Faculty of the Culinary Medicine Program at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences
Gina Drobena, MD
Associate Professor
University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences
College of Medicine
Little Rock, AR
Margaret Pauley, RD
Margaret Pauley is a registered and licensed dietitian at UAMS. While she always had a love of good food, she became a believer in the impact of food on the body after being diagnosed with high cholesterol in her 40’s. She was able to lower her total cholesterol by 100 points with diet and exercise alone and continues to follow a healthy lifestyle. When she found herself at a crossroads in her career, Margaret decided to go back to school to become a registered dietitian. She is the Culinary Nutritionist for the UAMS Culinary Medicine program where she facilitates weekly cooking classes. She uses her previous skills in sales and marketing to promote the Mediterranean Diet lifestyle across campus and in the community.
Margaret is also the Executive Director of the Arkansas Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, a membership organization of over 600 dietitians in Arkansas, and was the 2019 Outstanding Dietitian of the Year for Arkansas. You may also find Margaret on Facebook under the name “Foodtritionist” where she likes to blog and post about nutrition, lifestyle changes for health, cooking, and the benefits of exercise.
Nadja Vawryk Button, PA
Assistant Professor, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences
College of Health Profession
College of Provost
Little Rock, AR
Interprofessional Education Faculty of the Culinary Medicine Program at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences
Kathryn Neill
Associate Provost
University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences
Little Rock, AR
Joshua Phelps
Associate Professor, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences
College of Health Profession
College of Provost
Little Rock, AR
Research Faculty of the Culinary Medicine Program at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences
Sean Adams
Professor, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences
Pediatrics
College of Medicine
Little Rock, AR
Community Outreach of the Culinary Medicine Program at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences
Heather Trudeau, PA, RD
Clinical Professor of Medicine
Director, Inflammatory Bowel Disease Program
Program Director, Gastroenterology Fellowship Program
University of California Irvine
Culinary Medicine Programming for Medical Students at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences
1. Launched in 2019-2020 academic year with two cohorts of ten medical students in each group.This has been well received by the students who are participating in the eight-module core elective. Hands-on modules are offered from 5:00 PM to and 8:00 PM on Thursday evenings at Pulaski Technical College in conjunction with the Culinary Arts and Hospitality Management Institute.
2. The second offering of the elective launches in January 2020.
Culinary Medicine Programming for Residents at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences
No programming at this time.
Culinary Medicine Programming for Fellowship Programs at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences
No programming at this time.
Interdisciplinary Programs in Culinary Medicine Programming at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences
UAMS offers Culinary Medicine programming through their Interprofessional Education group. Any health professional can sign up. Students from multiple UAMS colleges participate in an interprofessional cooking simulation at the Culinary Arts and Hospitality Management Institute facility on the UofA-Pulaski Technical College campus. Students participate in a clinical case study and then charged to create a nutritious, cost-effective meal using the materials provided. The Introduction to Culinary Medicine Module is offered monthly.
Culinary Medicine Programming for the Community at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences
A number of community sessions have been offered including one for patients with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome as well as programming by medical students at a local farmer’s market. Culinary Class Offered to Patients During Infertility Awareness Week
Media Coverage of the Culinary Medicine Programming at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences
Culinary Medicine Expert Visits UAMS, Sees Recipe for Success
UAMS Features Culinary Medicine Curriculum
Arkansas doctor explores new ways to start families with a more affordable fertility treatment
UAMS is developing program to teach patients about nutrition
Successes
1. A website is under development to provide a central location for information and updates regarding the UAMS Culinary Medicine program.
2. Tanya Johnson – US Foods is donating food for provisioning classes.
3. Margaret Pauley – Have been able to purchase her time to lead programming.
4. Stephanie Garner has been working on a program with the city where an elementary school is being redesigned to create a multi-purpose building that will house a teaching kitchen.
Funding
The programming has been funded by the Chancellor’s office as part of a university-wide program.