TUC Commits to National Nutrition Training
TUC joins HHS leaders as university is recognized among 53 medical schools
Touro University California (TUC) joined the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and the U.S. Department of Education earlier this week to announce a commitment to increasing nutrition education for future physicians. Dr. Tami Hendriksz, Provost & Chief Academic Officer, Dr. Grace Marie Jones, and Dr. Traci Stevenson, Associate Professors at Touro University California were in attendance as the university was recognized as one of 53 medical schools nationwide leading this initiative.
The commitment, celebrated by HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and Education Secretary Linda McMahon, establishes a new national benchmark of 40 hours of required nutrition education for medical students. Touro University California is already a leader in this field; the College of Osteopathic Medicine (TUCOM) currently provides over 40 hours of required instruction integrated across all four years of its undergraduate medical curriculum, exceeding the new federal benchmarks.
“Nutrition is foundational to preventing and managing many of the chronic diseases our patients face every day. At Touro University California, we have intentionally integrated more than 40 hours of nutrition education across all four years of the medical curriculum, complemented by culinary medicine experiences and community programs that allow students to translate science into practical patient care," said Dr. Hendriksz. "This work has been thoughtfully developed over many years, since 2015, by our faculty leaders, Dr. Grace Marie Jones and Dr. Traci Stevenson, whose dedication to nutrition education and culinary medicine has helped position Touro as a national leader in preparing future physicians to use nutrition and lifestyle medicine to improve health outcomes.”
TUC’s curriculum utilizes a Culinary Medicine approach, combining nutrition science with hands-on cooking labs, clinical rotations, and community-based programs like Project HAPPY (Healthy Attitudes Produce Positive Youth) and MOBEC (Mobile Diabetes Education Center).
"The recognition from HHS underscores what our students experience at TUCOM where culinary medicine is woven throughout the curriculum and community initiatives. Further, TUCOM is shaping future physicians who are ready to prevent, treat, and advocate around diet‑related disease. This national commitment strengthens and elevates these efforts," says Dr. Grace Marie Jones
Dr. Traci Stevenson added, "Rooted in osteopathic principles, TUC’s culinary medicine curriculum reinforces the message American Association of Colleges of Osteopathic Medicine (AACOM) president, Dr. Cain, delivered at HHS noting that the physician’s job is to help patients find health, not merely manage disease. Our students are bringing the solid skillset into their communities, residency programs and future practice."
Through this national agreement, TUC reinforces its dedication to ensuring that the next generation of doctors is equipped with the tools to recognize, treat, and prevent diet-related diseases.