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UMass Chan Medical School is supporting a growing collaboration among leaders in academic medicine and public health to strengthen nutrition training in medical education and better equip physicians to address chronic disease.
Leaders within the T.H. Chan School of Medicine at UMass Chan say the Health and Human Services Nutrition Across the Medical Continuum initiative reflects the Medical School’s longstanding commitment to advancing nutrition training in the academic curriculum, a priority backed by the Association of American Medical Colleges.
“Nutrition education has been a longitudinal thread in our medical school’s curriculum for many years,” said Anne Larkin, MD, the Celia and Isaac Haidak Professor in Medical Education, professor of surgery, and vice provost and senior associate dean for educational affairs.
“Our Vista curriculum aligns with the nationwide initiative, reflects the central role of nutrition in patient care, and equips students with a strong foundation in knowledge and skills needed to support patients across a wide range of chronic conditions.”
At UMass Chan, nutrition education reflects a comprehensive, evidence‑based approach to physician training. Students far exceed the suggested 40 hours of nutrition instruction across all four years of medical school.
“By integrating nutrition throughout the curriculum, the institution is preparing future physicians to better prevent and manage chronic disease and support patient health,” said Terence R. Flotte, MD, the Elisabeth Chair for the Dean of Medicine, executive deputy chancellor, provost and dean of the T.H. Chan School of Medicine.
More than 70 medical schools have signed on to the federal nutrition initiative.
