qualifications: PhD
position: Assistant Professor
department: Human Nutrition, Foods, and Exercise
I hold a doctoral degree in Nutrition and Dietetics from Florida International University and am a Registered Dietitian. I received her Bachelor of Science in biology, and Master of Science in Food, Nutrition & Institution Administration from Oklahoma State University. Upon graduating with my MS, I moved to Honduras, Central America with my husband and one-year old son, where I spent the first fourteen years of my professional career. This afforded me some unique opportunities that I might not have had in the United States, such as serving as a consultant for Weight Watchers in Central America, owning a nutrition consulting business and health food store, and developing foundational dietetic systems within hospitals in the country. Upon returning to the US in 2001, I worked as a renal dietitian and received my doctoral degree. My early research investigated factors impacting disease progression and quality of life of HIV+ drug users from marginalized communities. I am currently an Assistant Professor in the Department of Human Nutrition, Foods and Exercise, and work with a national community education network, the Cooperative Extension Service, as an Extension Specialist. Her current scientific investigation focuses on community based participatory methods for the evaluation of community health knowledge, resources, and needs, and responsive program development.
Original Research 1 June 2022
Original Research 25 August 2021
Recruitment and retention of rural allied health professionals: a scoping review
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Video Summary | Rural generalist medicine in rural and island Japan
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Health literacy and mammography screening among rural women in Turkey
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15th National Rural & Remote Allied Health Conference (SARRAH), 21–23 October 2024, Mildura, Australia
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RMA24, 23–26 October 2024, Darwin, NT, Australia
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International Conference on Rural Nursing and Rural Health (ICRNRH), 28–29 October 2024, Lisbon, Portugal
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15th National Rural & Remote Allied Health Conference: Going the distance, 21–23 October 2024, Mildura, Vic., Australia
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Rural GP Association of Scotland (RGPAS) Annual Conference #RGPAS24, 15–17 November 2024, Inverness, Scotland
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11th Biennial Pacific Region Indigenous Doctors Congress (PRIDoC) 2024, 2–6 December 2024, Kaurna Country, Adelaide, Australia
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4th International Indigenous Health & Wellbeing Conference 2025, 16–19 June 2025, Adelaide Convention Centre, Kaurna Country, Australia
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