Department of Nutrition Chair Named Among “Top 10 RDs Who Are Making a Difference”
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Melissa Bernstein, PhD, RDN, Associate Professor and Chair of the Department of Nutrition, was named among the top 10 registered dietitians in the United States as part of Today’s Dietitian magazine’s “16th Annual Showcase of 10 RDs Who Are Making a Difference.”
Dr. Bernstein tells readers of the March 2025 issue of “TD” that despite “tremendous scientific evidence” of the significant link between unhealthy eating and the development and progression of disease, most clinicians, including physicians, don’t have the nutrition competencies to “effectively speak with their patients regarding their diet and lifestyle choices.”
“As highly educated food and nutrition professionals, dietitians have the training, qualifications, and expertise to be leaders in this space,” Dr. Bernstein said.
The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects 11% job growth for dietitians and nutritionists through 2030, faster than the average for all occupations.
Dr. Bernstein cites a growing demand for and general interest in nutrition education, including nutrition in medical education.
“Medical students themselves are realizing that there’s a desperate need for providers who are knowledgeable in the basics of nutrition, food and diet in the prevention, treatment and reversal of disease,” she told TD.
A Diplomate and Fellow of the American College of Lifestyle Medicine, Dr. Bernstein is also a Fellow of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics and a Fellow of the National Academies of Practice.