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Registered Dietitian Nutritionists as Leaders in Lifestyle and Culinary Medicine
This session is a recorded presentation from ACLM’s LM2024 Annual Conference, featuring leading experts and timely, clinically relevant content in lifestyle medicine.
The education and skills of Registered Dietitian Nutritionists (RDNs), combined with lifestyle medicine training, position them to effectively extend their scope of practice to be strong leaders in the lifestyle medicine field. Many of the Essential Practice Competencies for RDNs defined by the Commission on Dietetic Registration support both the interventional (curriculum design and delivery, facilitation and provision of medical nutrition therapy - MNT) and operational (business and operations, marketing and recruitment, food and kitchen safety, research and evaluation) components that are necessary to deliver and direct effective LM initiatives. The same is also true for culinary medicine, a growing field that complements lifestyle medicine. This presentation will detail how the “Cooking with Plants” culinary series was established and why RDNs are especially well positioned to implement this type of LM and CM initiative. Discussion will start with a brief overview of how the RDN core competencies, paired with additional LM and CM training, uniquely prepare RDNs to lead this work. We will then review the evidence-based benefits of CM programs and the various organizations and training programs - such as the American College of Culinary Medicine, the Teaching Kitchen Collaborative, and the American College of Lifestyle Medicine – that support CM initiatives. The remainder of our presentation will focus on providing a basic blueprint that RDNs can use to start a similar program at their health care institution. We will cover how to identify the stakeholders for a successful CM initiative, the cost of operating a virtual CM program, potential funding streams, equipment and physical space requirements, choosing or designing a curriculum, recipe selection, marketing, class preparation, and evaluation. Any healthcare professional interested in culinary medicine, the role of RDNs in lifestyle medicine, or in nutrition education would find this presentation valuable.
This course expires September 21, 2027 at 11:59 PM PST.
Target Audience
This course is applicable for the interprofessional healthcare team including physicians, registered nurses, nurse practitioners, physician associates, registered dietitians, physical therapists, occupational therapists, pharmacists, other health professionals working with chronic disease prevention or treatment, certified health coaches, and clinicians in training.
Learning Objectives
- Evaluate the available resources at their institution to support the execution of a culinary medicine program.
- Describe the competencies, skills and training that make dietitians well positioned to be leaders in lifestyle medicine education, particularly in culinary medicine.
- Use the information presented to establish a community-facing culinary medicine program.
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Kelly Wilson, RDN, DipACLM
Kelly Wilson is a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist and board-certified Lifestyle Medicine practitioner specializing in lifestyle and culinary medicine. She has 12 years of experience using a non-judgmental, patient-centered approach to empower patients with the skills and knowledge to optimize their health and well-being. She is a dynamic speaker, and her engaging, evidence-based classes provide skill-building opportunities that are accessible to diverse audiences and support long-term lifestyle change. Kelly holds a degree in nutrition science from the University of Minnesota- Twin Cities, an organic farming certificate from Michigan State University, and has completed advanced training in culinary genomics and culinary medicine. She is passionate about preventative medicine, whole person health and sustainable foods systems. Prior to her employment at Trinity Health, Kelly was Director of Community Partnerships for a local food systems nonprofit and ran an organic vegetable farm. When she is not working, she can be found running or cooking with her partner, Alex, outside in the garden or relaxing with her 15-year-old dog, Bear.
Abigail McCleery, MPH, RDN, DipACLM
Abigail McCleery is a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist and board-certified Lifestyle Medicine Practitioner specializing in supporting colleague whole health. She earned her Bachelor's Degree as well as a Master's in Public Health from the University of Michigan and became board-certified in Lifestyle Medicine in 2020. With over 12 years of experience as an Inpatient Clinical Dietitian and 7 years of experience as Colleague Lifestyle Medicine and Wellness Coordinator, Abby balances her expert hat with her coaching hat to translate science into actionable steps to make healthy habits accessible to everyone, with a special focus on Trinity Health providers and staff. Abby strives to support the whole health of all who work at the hospital by providing evidence-based education and skill-building opportunities in the Lifestyle Medicine pillar areas, and she works to ensure that the built environment is designed to make the healthy choice the easy choice for staff and visitors. She is passionate about preventative medicine, whole person health, and empowering individuals to craft their environment and daily routines so they can live better, longer. “I believe that progress and improvement are much more about trajectory than current position, and I am excited to guide people on each meaningful step of their journey to whole health. It is especially energizing to support the whole health of my healthcare colleagues!"
Accreditation Statement, Disclosure Information and Credit Designation Statements
Joint Providership Statement: In support of improving patient care, this activity has been planned and implemented by RUSH University Medical Center and American College of Lifestyle Medicine. RUSH University Medical Center is Jointly accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education, Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE), and the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) to provide continuing medical education for the healthcare team.
Disclosure Information
Unapproved Uses of Drugs/Devices: In accordance with requirements of the FDA, the audience is advised that information presented in this continuing medical education activity may contain references to unlabeled or unapproved uses of drugs or devices. Please refer to the FDA approved package insert for each drug/device for full prescribing/utilization information.
It is the policy of the Interprofessional Continuing Education office at RUSH to ensure that its CE activities are independent, free of commercial bias. Therefore, we manage all financial relationships associated with accredited continuing education activities. RUSH asks everyone who has the ability to control or influence the content of an educational activity to disclose information about all of their financial relationships with ineligible companies within the prior 24 months.
An ineligible company is an entity whose primary business is producing, marketing, selling, re-selling, or distributing healthcare products used by or on patients. There is no minimum threshold; individuals must disclose all financial relationships, regardless of the amount, with ineligible companies. Individuals must disclose regardless of their view of the relevance of relationships to education. Mechanisms are in place to identify and mitigate any potential conflicts of interest prior to the planning, implementation, or evaluation of the continuing education activity. If a financial relationship is identified for the person in control of content, conflict mitigation strategies will be used to mitigate the financial relationship before they assume their role.
Individuals in control of content for this activity have the following relevant financial relationships with ineligible companies to disclose and all financial relationships have been mitigated.
| Name | Disclosure |
| Rohit Moghe, PharmD, MSPH, CDCES | Member, Speaker's Bureau - Novo Nordisk |
All other individuals in control of content have no relevant financial relationships with ineligible companies.
Available Credit
- 1.00 AAFP Prescribed
The AAFP has reviewed Registered Dietitian Nutritionists as Leaders in Lifestyle and Culinary Medicine and deemed it acceptable for up to 1.00 Enduring Materials, Self-Study AAFP Prescribed credit(s). Term of Approval is from 9/18/2025 to 9/18/2025. Physicians should claim only the credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity. .
- 1.00 ABIM Medical Knowledge
Successful completion of this CME activity, which includes participation in the evaluation component, enables the participant to earn up to 1.00 MOC points in the American Board of Internal Medicine’s (ABIM) Maintenance of Certification (MOC) program. It is the CME activity provider’s responsibility to submit participation completion information to ACCME for the purpose of granting ABIM MOC credit.
- 1.00 ABLM MOC
The American Board of Lifestyle Medicine has approved 1.00 maintenance of certification credits (MOC) for this learning activity.
- 1.00 ABS Accredited CME
Successful completion of this CME activity, which includes participation in the evaluation component, enables the learner to earn credit toward the CME of the American Board of Surgery’s Continuous Certification program. It is the CME activity provider’s responsibility to submit learner completion information to ACCME for the purpose of granting ABS credit.
- 1.00 ACPE Pharmacy
Rush University Medical Center designates this knowledge-based enduring material for a maximum of 1.00 contact hour(s) for pharmacists.
- 1.00 ACPE Technician
Rush University Medical Center designates this knowledge-based enduring material for a maximum of 1.00 contact hour(s) for pharmacy technicians.
- 1.00 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit™
Rush Medical Center designates this enduring material for a maximum of 1.00 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit(s)™. Physicians should claim only credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.
- 1.00 ANCC
Rush University Medical Center designates this enduring material for a maximum of 1.00 nursing contact hour(s).
- 1.00 APA
Rush University Medical Center designates this enduring material for 1.00 CE credits in psychology. Continuing Education (CE) credits for psychologists are provided through the co-sponsorship in the American Psychological Association (APA) Office of Continuing Education in Psychology (CEP). The APA CEP Office maintains responsibility for the content of the programs.
- 1.00 ASWB
As a Jointly Accredited Organization, Rush University Medical Center is approved to offer social work continuing education by the Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB) Approved continuing education (ACE) program. Organizations, not individual courses, are approved under this program. Regulatory boards are the final authority on courses accepted for continuing education credit. Social workers completing this course receive 1.00 general continuing education credits.
- 1.00 CPEU
This enduring material has been approved by the Commission on Dietetic Registration. Completion of this activity awards 1.00 CPEUs.
- 1.00 Occupational Therapy CE
Rush University Medical Center is an approved provider for physical therapy (216.000378) and occupational therapy (224.000220) by the Illinois Department of Professional Regulation. Rush University Medical Center designates this enduring material for 1.00 continuing education credits.
- 1.00 Participation (AMA PRA Category 1 Credit™ for non-MDs)
Rush University Medical Center designates this enduring material for a maximum of 1.00 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit(s)™. Physicians should claim only credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.
- 1.00 Physical Therapy CE
Rush University Medical Center is an approved provider for physical therapy (216.000378) and occupational therapy (224.000220) by the Illinois Department of Professional Regulation. Rush University Medical Center designates this enduring material for 1.00 continuing education credits.
Price
ACLM member and category discounts are applied at checkout.
| Non-member | ACLM Members |
|---|---|
| $40 | $30 |
Access to online material is granted through the term of approval, which ends September 21, 2027.
Participant User Agreement (Terms of Use and Copyright)
Before registering for a Continuing Education/Continuing Medical Education Course (“Training”) for the first time, carefully review the following conditions of usage at https://lifestylemedicine.org/terms-of-use-and-copyright/
Registering for an American College of Lifestyle Medicine Course indicates your acceptance of the Participant User Agreement and its terms and conditions.
Required Hardware/software
This course can be viewed on desktop or tablet using a modern browser and most mobile devices. Speakers or headphones are required for this course.