Overview

The AdventHealth (AH) Culinary Medicine Program, in the works for over a decade, integrates Culinary Medicine into its nationally recognized Pediatric Weight and Wellness Program at AdventHealth for Children (AHFC), led by Dr. Angela Fals, a Certified Culinary Medicine Specialist, double board-certified pediatrician and obesity medicine physician. The program uses the Health meets Food curriculum to train residents, medical students, and clinical teams in applying nutrition and culinary skills to patient care, with the ultimate goal of preventing and treating chronic disease from prenatal life through adulthood.

Launched in late 2024, Culinary Medicine at AdventHealth currently serves:

• Pediatric Residents – All interns complete the Introduction and Sanitation module during their first week of residency in In December/January, the cohort completes an additional module, such as Sports Nutrition. Residents will continue to participate in one class per year, completing four modules by the time they complete residency.

• OB/GYN Residents – All interns complete the Introduction and Sanitation module during their first week of residency in All residents participate annually, in February, with session topics such as Nutrition in Pregnancy. Each resident will complete up to five modules over their four-year training.
• Medical Students – Students rotating through AdventHealth’s Lifestyle Medicine track as part of their family medicine rotation participate in Culinary Medicine sessions each spring.
• Volunteer Attending Physicians – A unique feature of the program is the active participation of volunteer attendings (many pursuing CCMS certification) who help guide case studies and group discussions, as instructors, alongside

The Kitchen House—a partner 501(c)(3) with an on-site culinary garden—serves as the

teaching site. Its garden is considered one of the most unique in Orlando, providing fresh produce for classes. Each class includes a garden tour and provides an opportunity to

integrate culinary gardens as an integral part of whole patient care.

The Culinary Medicine program is supported by a wide network of philanthropic partners including foundations, internal funds, and private donors that support staffing, ingredient costs, and venue rental.

Planned expansions include:

• Addition of Family Medicine residents (MD and DO) to continue increasing the impact from prenatal through adulthood
• Offering Culinary Medicine classes to community physicians for Continuing Medical Education (CME) credits
• Expanding community offerings for families, children, teens, Spanish-speaking patients, and prenatal populations.
• Building research collaborations and opportunities for residents as well as to evaluate outcomes in resident and community populations.

Faculty Leadership

Angela Fals, MD, CCMS – Medical Director, AFHC Pediatric Weight and Wellness Program
Dr. Fals leads the program’s vision, curriculum integration, and strategic partnerships, bringing more than 20 years of experience in pediatric weight management, wellness advocacy, and community health.

Melissa Williams – AHFC Community Programs Manager

Melissa provides oversight of the Pediatric Weight and Wellness program along with the Culinary Medicine program volunteer coordination, class logistics, and school-based outreach through the Mission: Fit Possible program.

Chef Edwin Cabrera, CCMP – AH Executive Chef and Culinary Instructor

Edwin supports selected modules and future Spanish-language adaptations, bringing expertise in culturally relevant, family-friendly recipes.

Chef Allison Harrell, RD, CCMS – Culinary Instructor and Registered Dietitian

Chef Allison leads hands-on culinary instruction, connecting recipes to clinical counseling strategies.

Spotlight & Media

• The Kitchen House partnership allows learners to experience a seed-to-table approach, from harvesting produce to preparing patient-centered
• Learners consistently cite Culinary Medicine as a highlight of their training, noting the relevance to both clinical care and personal
• The program has cultivated more than 90 community partnerships to advance obesity prevention and wellness initiatives across Central

For more information, contact Dr. Angela Fals: angela.fals.md@adventhealth.com