Nutrition

The Departments of Health and Human Services and Education announced a new initiative to increase nutrition education in medical schools beginning Fall 2026. The agencies announced commitments from more than 50 schools across more than 30 different states for the program, including McGovern Medical School at UTHealth Houston, which will provide at least 40 hours of nutrition education or a 40-hour competency equivalent for medical students.

Why This Matters

Our program is uniquely positioned to champion interprofessional learning through our partnership with the School of Public Health’s Nourish Program and now mandates culinary medicine education for rising 3rd year students during their “Transition to Clerkship” and a more advanced culinary medicine elective is offered in 4th year.

As a physician, there is no better way to learn than hands-on training, which is why allowing medical students to engage alongside dietitcians provides them with the opportunity to learn about best practices around “Food is Medicine”

In addition to the novel education methods using the Nourish Program’s teaching kitchen and holistic garden, McGovern will continue to build on its already established nutrition framework throughout the longitudinal curriculum through various lectures, problem-based learning, independent learning and virtual culinary medicine activities.

What makes our approach unique

Our model combines nutrition science, culinary medicine, community partnership, and clinical application. Through teaching kitchen programming, learner workshops, and patient-facing initiatives, we equip trainees and faculty with practical tools they can use immediately in the exam room and in the community.