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) Student Participants from CWU, Heritage, PNWU, and WSU!
The NIHC Culinary Medicine Program was recently awarded a grant through Greater Health Now’s Community Investment grant program, Connect2Everyone, in support of the Expanding Community Impact of Culinary Medicine in Yakima County pilot project. Thanks to this collaboration, the NIHC is delighted to expand its offerings of culinary medicine sessions for health professions learners. Additionally, we are extending our community outreach through student-led community demonstrations. If you have any questions about this award, please contact the NIHC at ipe@pnwu.edu or PNWU’s Office of Development at development@pnwu.edu.
AY23-24 Culinary Medicine Schedule
The NIHC Culinary Medicine Program is exclusively reserved for students currently enrolled in a health professions program within our partner institutions.
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 2 weeks before each session. Check back here for the session registration link.
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: Elaina Moon: healthymoon@outlook.com or Dr. Kathaleen Brings Early: kearly@pnwu.edu
September 16, 2023: Plant-Based Meal Patterns
Academic speakers: Michele Dunlap, ND
Culinary Speaker: Elaina Moon, BS
Sign-Up: Closed – Session Ended
October 28, 2023: Eating for a Healthy Heart (DASH and Mediterranean Diet)
Academic Speaker: Nicole Stendell-Hollis
Culinary Speaker: Elaina Moon, BS
Sign-Up: Closed – Session Ended
January 27, 2024: Eating for the Prevention and Control of Diabetes
Academic Speaker: Kathaleen Briggs Early, PhD, RDN, CDE
Culinary Speakers: Elaina Moon, BS
Sign-Up: Closed – Session Ended
February 24, 2024: Plant-Based Meal Patterns
Academic Speakers: Kathaleen Briggs Early, PhD, RDN, CDE
Culinary Speakers: Elaina Moon
Sign-Up: Closed – Session Ended
(This session is funded through the Greater Health Now Community Investment grant program: Connect2Everyone)
March 2, 2024: Low-Carb Diet
Academic speaker: Susan Hawk, PhD, RDN
Culinary Speaker: Elaina Moon, BS
Sign-Up: Closed – Session Ended
March 23, 2024: Eating for a Healthy Heart (DASH & Mediterranean Diet)
Academic Speakers: Kathaleen Briggs Early, PhD, RDN, CDE
Culinary Speakers: Elaina Moon, BS
Sign-Up: Closed – Session Ended
(This session is funded through the Greater Health Now Community Investment grant program: Connect2Everyone)
April 6, 2024: The Healthier Mexican-American Diet
Academic speaker: Lily Gonzalez, MPH, CDCES
Culinary Speaker: Lissette Llamas, RDN
Sign-Up: Closed – Session Ended
Participation Expectations
- Pre-register for the class.
- 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!)
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.
- Engage in a minimum of four distinct culinary medicine sessions as a student participant. Note that volunteering does not contribute toward the completion of the culinary medicine certificate.
- Work with an interprofessional team of students to provide 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!
- Please note – at this time, the Culinary Medicine Program is only available to enrolled health professions students participating in the Northwest Interprofessional Health Collaborative (NIHC).