NIHC Culinary Medicine Program


The Culinary Medicine program is designed to familiarize health professions students with the value of learning about healthy food and ingredients. This is accomplished through practical, hands-on, and culturally relevant training in meal planning and quality food preparation. Integrating the art of food preparation and cooking with the science of nutrition and evidence-based medicine equips students with the essential skills for engaging in effective behavior-change conversations with their future patients. Led by Elaina Moon, owner of Healthy Eats Nutrition Services, and Dr. Kathaleen Briggs-Early, PNWU Professor of Nutrition, sessions are FREE and Open to ALL Northwest Interprofessional Health Collaborative (NIHC) Students from PNWU, CWU, and Heritage!

AY25-26 Culinary Medicine Schedule

The NIHC Culinary Medicine Program is exclusively reserved for students currently enrolled in a health professions program within PNWU and our partner institutions (CWU & Heritage University).

Registration is required for attendance. Each session is limited to 24 participants and 4 Student Volunteers. Sign-ups will be on a first-come, first-served basis. Sign-ups will open three (3) weeks before each session. Check back here for the session registration link.

Please Note: Due to limited space and high demand, students who no-show for two Culinary Medicine sessions or provide less than 48-hours notice of cancellation will not be allowed to participate in the Culinary Medicine program.

Classes are held on Saturdays from 10:00 am to 12:00 pm.
No cooking experience is necessary!

Location of the culinary lab: Healthy Eats Classroom 1101 W. Yakima Ave. Suite 115
For questions: Email the NIHC at ipe@pnwu.edu

September 13, 2025: Renal/Kidney Health
Academic Speaker: Brenda Collins, MS, RD
Culinary Speaker: Elaina Moon, BS
Sign-Up: Opens 8/21/25 @ 6:00 PM

October 11, 2025: Meal Prepping on a Budget
Academic Speaker: Kathaleen Briggs Early, PhD, RDN, CDE
Culinary Speaker: Elaina Moon, BS
Sign-Up: Opens 9/18/25 @ 6:00 PM

October 25, 2025: The Healthier Mexican-American Meal Pattern
Academic Speaker: Kathaleen Briggs Early, PhD, RDN, CDE
Culinary Speaker:  Elaina Moon, BS
Sign-Up: Opens 10/2/25 @ 6:00 PM

November 8, 2025: Plant-Based Meal Patterns
Academic Speaker: Kathaleen Briggs Early, PhD, RDN, CDE
Culinary Speaker: Elaina Moon, BS
Sign-Up: Opens 10/16/25 @ 6:00 PM

January 24, 2026: Meal Patterns During & After Cancer Treatment
Academic speaker: Kathaleen Briggs Early, PhD, RDN, CDE
Culinary Speaker: Elaina Moon, BS
Sign-Up: Opens 1/5/26 @ 6:00 PM

February 28, 2026: Heart Health/Mediterranean Meal Pattern

Academic Speaker: Kathaleen Briggs Early, PhD, RDN, CDE
Culinary Speaker: Elaina Moon, BS
Sign-Up: Opens 2/5/26 @ 6:00 PM

March 28, 2026: Prevention & Control of Diabetes
Academic Speaker: Kathaleen Briggs Early, PhD, RDN, CDE
Culinary Speaker: Elaina Moon, BS
Sign-Up: Opens 3/5/26 @ 6:00 PM

April 11, 2026: Food Allergies & Sensitivities
Academic Speaker: Katie Thorner, RDN
Culinary Speaker: Elaina Moon, BS
Sign-Up: Opens 3/19/26 @ 6:00 PM

Student Participant Expectations

  • Pre-register for the class as a Student Participant
  • Watch a short pre-recorded presentation by an academic speaker before attending the session
  • Come ready to watch, listen, learn, and cook with other health professions students
  • Eat! Talk about the recipes/ingredients and how they can be useful for your future patient populations
  • Help clean up and take leftovers home (if there are any!)

Student Volunteer Expectations

  • Pre-register for the class as a Student Volunteer
  • Watch a short pre-recorded presentation by an academic speaker before attending the session

Earning a Certificate of Achievement in Culinary Medicine

  • Notify the NIHC at ipe@pnwu.edu of your interest in earning your Certificate of Achievement in Culinary Medicine.
  • Participate in a minimum of four (4) distinct culinary medicine sessions as a Student Participant.
  • Participate in a minimum of one (1) culinary medicine session as a Student Volunteer.
    • Note: Students must participate in at least one culinary session as a Student Participant before they can serve as a Student Volunteer.
  • Work with an interprofessional team of students to develop and deliver a public cooking demonstration within the community.
  • Complete your reflection and feedback questionnaire in REDCap.
  • Obtain your certificate and list this achievement on your resume/CV!