WVU School of Medicine Leads the Way in Nutrition Education for Future Physicians
As national momentum grows to strengthen nutrition education in U.S. Medical schools, West Virginia University School of Medicine has been recognized for its longstanding commitment to training future physicians to address chronic disease through evidence-based nutrition and lifestyle medicine.
National Shift in Medical Education
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and the U.S. Department of Education recently announced that 53 medical schools across 31 states have voluntarily committed to significantly expanding nutrition education. The goal is to equip future doctors with at least 40 hours of nutrition-focused instruction beginning in 2026.
WVU’s Pioneering Approach
Whereas this represents a transformative shift for many institutions, WVU School of Medicine has already established a national model, beginning in 2013, that surpasses these proposed standards. “What began with a dean’s teaching grant on our Health Sciences Eastern Campus more than a decade ago has blossomed into a program and curriculum that other universities now model,” said Clay Marsh, M.D., chancellor and executive dean for WVU Health Sciences.
Comprehensive Curriculum
WVU’s medical school curriculum currently includes approximately 67.5 hours of nutrition education, with an additional 225 hours available through the optional Culinary Lifestyle Medicine Track. This makes it one of the most comprehensive offerings in the nation. The curriculum emphasizes rural health, obesity care, and interprofessional practice, reflecting the specific needs of West Virginia communities.
The School of Medicine has proposed curriculum enhancements to raise total required nutrition instruction to 47.5 hours, integrating competencies across all four years of medical training. These enhancements aim to address gaps in core nutrition exposure and align with nationally recognized nutrition competencies.
The Importance of Nutrition in West Virginia
“In a state with a high burden of chronic disease, it is essential that medical students understand the role of nutrition in prevention and treatment,” stated Laura Davisson, M.D., professor of medicine and director of the obesity medicine fellowship. “WVU has been recognized as a leader in nutrition education, ensuring that our students receive evidence-based training, can critically evaluate nutrition research, and collaborate effectively with colleagues such as registered dietitians to provide the best patient care.”
Culinary and Lifestyle Medicine Track
WVU is widely recognized for its Culinary and Lifestyle Medicine Track, a four-year longitudinal program integrating nutrition, culinary skills, physical activity, restorative sleep, and stress management. Students complete approximately 300 hours of hands-on and virtual experiential training, preparing them to counsel patients effectively and practice preventive, team-based care.
“I’m proud of the difference the culinary and lifestyle medicine track is making for our students and our community,” said Rosie Cannarella Lorenzetti, M.D., professor of family and community medicine and co-director of the culinary and lifestyle medicine track. “Since 2018, more than 50 students have completed the program, with many earning national certification in culinary medicine. Our graduates leave with practical skills to help patients make healthier lifestyle choices, and they grant back through cooking demonstrations, school programs, and support for local families.”
Community Partnerships and “Food as Medicine”
The University’s commitment to “food as medicine” is further demonstrated through community partnerships, including the Farm to You and Nourish West Virginia programs, which provide students with real-world experience in improving food access, promoting healthy eating, and addressing structural barriers to wellness.
Preparing Physicians for the Future
Years before national policy leaders called for expanded nutrition education, WVU Health Sciences had already established itself as a leader. The University’s lifestyle medicine initiatives emphasize local relevance—such as understanding food insecurity, working with rural populations, and managing chronic diseases prevalent in Appalachia—while offering a model scalable to medical schools across the country.
WVU students and faculty also engage in applied learning through nutrition immersion trips, medical weight management rotations, and community-based cooking demonstrations, ensuring graduates are prepared with knowledge, practical skills, and cultural understanding to improve patient outcomes.
As federal leaders recognize new commitments to strengthen nutrition training nationwide, the WVU School of Medicine’s long-established programs demonstrate that a robust, integrated nutrition and lifestyle medicine curriculum is achievable, scalable, and essential for training the next generation of physicians and health care professionals.
For more information about WVU’s Lifestyle and Health initiatives, visit the WVU School of Medicine website.