Leadership from across the four campuses of the Edward Via College of Osteopathic Medicine (VCOM) traveled to Washington, D.C., on March 5 for an announcement by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and the U.S. Department of Education highlighting efforts to strengthen nutrition education in medical training.
The event, hosted at HHS headquarters, brought together leadership from 53 medical schools that have committed to expanding nutrition education for future physicians. Robert Cain, DO, the president and CEO of the Americal Association of Colleges of Osteopathic Medicine also attended the event, as did Bobby Mukkamala, MD, the president of the American Medical Association.
U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and U.S. Secretary of Education Linda McMahon highlighted a nationwide effort to ensure that future physicians receive meaningful training in nutrition as part of their medical education.
Nutrition plays an important role in preventive health and the management of chronic disease, and the HHS initiative reflects a growing recognition that physicians benefit from training that helps them address lifestyle and dietary factors affecting patient health.
“Physicians see every day how nutrition affects chronic disease and overall health. Helping medical students understand those connections is an important part of preparing them to care for their patients.”
At VCOM, instruction on nutrition is integrated throughout the curriculum as part of the College’s broader emphasis on preventive care and patient counseling.
“Nutrition education aligns closely with the osteopathic philosophy of caring for the whole person,” said VCOM Provost Deborah West, EdD. “It’s an important part of preparing physicians to promote health and prevent disease, which is why we are pleased to be part of this national conversation.”
