Origin Story: The Provider Nutrition Education and Referral (PNER) Task Force was established by Food is Medicine Massachusetts (FIMMA) to improve the capacity of Massachusetts health professionals to identify and address the need for Food is Medicine interventions in their patient populations. The task force has brought together experts to develop and promote core competencies related to nutrition education for a spectrum of health care providers, beginning with a focus on physicians and oral health providers. See below to learn more.
Mission Statement: The Provider Nutrition Education and Referral Task Force will work to improve the capacity of Massachusetts health professionals to identify and address the need for Food is Medicine interventions in their patient populations (Massachusetts Food is Medicine State Plan Recommendation #1).
Leaders: Dr. Kumara Sidhartha (Cape Cod Health Care) & Dr. Nadine Tassabehji (Tufts University School of Dental Medicine), with support from Katie Garfield (CHLPI). Kathryn Brodowski from Mass Medical Society was a previous leader from August 2018- February 2021.
Goals:
Bring together experts to develop and promote continuing education modules on nutrition, best practices for food insecurity screening and referrals, and payment mechanisms for Food is Medicine interventions;
Where the need/interest exists, develop and promote continuing education modules on these core competencies;
Promote the inclusion of nutrition education in Massachusetts medical and dental degree program curricula
Current Projects:
Developing core competencies related to nutrition education for physicians and dentists
(Next) working to promote implementation of core competencies in Massachusetts medical and dental schools
Past Projects and Materials:
Coming Soon!
For more information about the PNER Task Force, please contact us.
