Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics Targets Medical School Curricula

The initiative seeks to shift the role of nutrition from a peripheral topic to a core component of medical training. Central to this effort is the ACEND Nutrition in Medical Education Microcredential Framework, which allows institutions to reorganize existing course content into targeted learning units. These materials align with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Medical Education Nutrition Competency Framework, providing a standardized approach for schools to adopt.

Several institutions are already testing successful models. The University of Utah utilizes a blend of classroom instruction and clinical teaching kitchens, while Boston University and Boston Medical Center focus on culinary medicine and Food as Medicine infrastructure. Similarly, the University of Wisconsin–Madison has embedded nutrition throughout its MD curriculum through direct collaboration between medical educators and RDNs.

Tamara Randall, 2026-2027 President of the Academy, emphasized that the goal is not to turn medical students into nutritionists, but to provide them with the tools to recognize when nutritional intervention is necessary. By clarifying the role of the care team, the Academy expects to improve patient outcomes through more frequent and accurate referrals to specialized dietetic care.