The field of Nutrition is so widespread and broad. The board members of the Public Health Community Nutrition DPG felt that it is very important to offer a service to students, free charge, so they can learn more about this particular field. There are so many Registered Dietitian in public health and community nutrition and so many different career paths, we feel it is important to share this information with future Dietitians. The Careers webinar highlights 2-3 Registered Dietitian currently working in public health community nutrition. During the 1-hour webinar, each speaker discusses their current position and how their particular backgrounds allowed them to the achieve their current status. This webinar is offered free to students in order to gain an interest in public health community nutrition and to gain more about what we do in this particular field.

Speakers

Nicole Larson, PhD, MPH, RDN, LD

Dr. Nicole Larson is a nutritional epidemiologist and Senior Research Associate in the Division of Epidemiology and Community Health, School of Public Health at the University of Minnesota. Her training as a registered dietitian and behavioral health researcher has allowed her to build expertise in child and adolescent development, and the design of population-based studies on eating and physical activity. Dr. Larson has further developed her knowledge of eating and activity epidemiology by serving as the Project Director for the Project EAT (EAT 2010, EAT-III, EAT-IV, EAT 2010-2018) studies since 2007 and through her involvement as an investigator on several studies relating to the role of school wellness policies and practices in promoting health. She has collaborated with other researchers in the field to publish over 170 articles relevant to the promotion of healthy eating and physical activity behaviors. Dr. Larson also provides mentorship for pre- and post-doctoral students working on Project EAT and advises students as a member of the nutrition graduate faculty in the College of Food, Agricultural, and Natural Resource Sciences at the University of Minnesota.

Cicely Thomas, DCN, M.Ed., RDN, LD, FAND

Cicely Thomas is the WIC director of Northwest Georgia Health District and an adjunct instructor at Jacksonville State University. She received a Bachelor of Science in Nutrition from Georgia Southern University, a Master of Adult Education from the University of Georgia, and a Doctor of Clinical Nutrition from the University of North Florida. Dr. Thomas serves as the 2024 vice president of the Georgia Public Health Association. She is the immediate past President - for the Georgia Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics and the Public Health Community Nutrition Dietetic Practice Group. She is a board member of the Georgia Board of Examiners of Licensed Dietitians appointed by Governor Brian Kemp. She is the former Nutrition Section chair for the Georgia Public Health Association. Dr. Thomas represents small 3% of African American Registered Dietitians in the US with enthusiasm and works diligently to advocate for diversity in the nutrition profession by serving as the Diversity Liaison for both the Weight Management Dietetic Practice Group and the Georgia Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics Affiliation. Dr. Thomas is the owner of Challenge Your Choices Dietetics LLC. Her personal goal is to reduce health disparities by way of providing nutrition education and counseling, advocate for the nutrition profession and prioritize educating the community on nutrition policies and the importance of medical nutrition therapy to manage and reduce chronic disease. Her desire to serve under-represented populations remains to be the foundation of her love for public health and community nutrition. “It is always a good day to work in Public Health.”

Cindy Davis, MPH, RDN

Cindy Davis is the Employee Health and Wellness Promotion Specialist for Life & Work Connections at the University of Arizona for 7 years and teaches Public Health Nutrition. Her past employer includes Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, where she implemented several nutrition fitness programs. Cindy is a certified Question, Persuade, Refer (QPR) Suicide Gatekeeper instructor through the QPR Institute. Although she is ready to discuss nutrition, she also likes to focus on other elements of wellbeing for better health outcomes.