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!