View Larger Image Class of 2024 graduates of the Master of Science in Dietetics Program take the stage in the Smith Auditorium and are joined by the department's faculty for a final class photo..
Class of 2024 graduates of the Master of Science in Dietetics Program take the stage in the Smith Auditorium and are joined by the department's faculty for a final class photo. Image by Bryan Clifton

Students Graduate, Earn Master’s Degrees in Dietetics at UAMS

By Ben Boulden

| Fourteen students at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences (UAMS) celebrated receiving their Master of Science in Dietetics degrees in an Aug. 9 ceremony that honored their significant achievements during the 15-month program.

At the ceremony, Courtney Fose, M.S., RD, LD, Assistant Professor, highlighted a few of the accomplishments of the graduating class. They each completed more than 1,000 hours of supervised practice, together supervised a $2.8 million food supply budget, and assisted in updating a Veterans Administration food service operation that prepares millions of meals each year.

Fose is the program director of the degree program in the UAMS College of Health Professions Department of Dietetics and Nutrition.

The graduates of the Class of 2024 are the second cohort of students to complete their master’s degrees in the program, although the program is much older. Previously, UAMS offered a dietetic internship certificate program that required students to complete 12 credit hours. Students must now complete 36 hours of study for the master’s degree. Eight new courses were created for the degree program. The first cohort started the program in May 2022 and graduated last year.

“We do believe our program is one of the best in the nation, and this class has performed very well,” Reza Hakkak, Ph.D., professor and department chair, said.

Reza Hakkak, department chair, addresses the graduates and an audience of their families and friends.

Reza Hakkak, department chair, addresses the graduates and an audience of their families and friends. Image by Bryan Clifton

Not only did students present 14 research posters at UAMS Research Day earlier this year, they had seven abstracts presented at national conferences, he said, and the feedback he received from faculty members about the students’ research was overwhelmingly positive.

“Demand for your proficiency and knowledge is growing day by day,” Hakkak said. “The field of dietetics and nutrition is rapidly expanding as we have too many diets related to diseases like diabetes, cardiovascular disease and cancer. It’s an exciting time to be in this field, and also, as you hear every day, something in our diet can prevent or cause disease.”

College of Health Professions Dean Susan Long, Ed.D., said the contributions of the graduates during their education have helped UAMS to fulfill its missions in improving the health, health care and well-being of all Arkansans.

“The skills and knowledge you gained during this time at UAMS and the VA have prepared you to continue this mission through your work in service to others,” she said.

A graduate of the program’s Class of 2008, Kristina Lane, MS, RDN, chief of Nutrition and Food Services for the Central Arkansas Veterans Healthcare System and a former preceptor to students in the program, gave the keynote address.

She said although the students didn’t have input into the design of a new VA Food Services building project in North Little Rock, they did play a significant role in shaping the “new cutting-edge” space inside.

The students also played a key part in preparing cooks and food service staff to start implementing new, standardized recipes next month as part of a national VA nutrition initiative.

“Their efforts have been instrumental in refining the quality of our nutrition services to exemplify their commitment to excellence. The students added fresh perspectives while engaging in quality management initiatives, contributions which have been invaluable,” Lane said.

Jordan Furr, left, celebrates receiving the Maxine Hinton Faculty Gold Key Award. Courtney Fose, right, program director, displays the award.

Jordan Furr, left, celebrates receiving the Maxine Hinton Faculty Gold Key Award from Katie Inebnit, center. Courtney Fose, right, program director, displays the award. Image byBryan Clifton

The graduates of the Class of 2024 are:

  • Sydney Boudrey
  • Lexee Caldwell
  • Julia Clark
  • Mary Elizabeth Engskov
  • Lee Epstein III
  • Jordan Furr
  • Samantha Ito
  • Garrett Jackson
  • Kati Morrow
  • Nallely Solis Solis
  • Hayley Stewart
  • Rebekah Stubbs
  • Abby Tipton
  • Elizabeth Turley

Katie Inebnit, the co-director of the dietetic internship at VA and an instructor in the department, presented the Maxine Hinton Faculty Gold Key Award to Jordan Furr.