The Vanderbilt Student-Athletes have several additional resources available to help them to perform up to their potential and live a healthy life.
Jessica is a Registered Dietitian that is in her first year working with Vanderbilt Athletics but has extensive experience in the field of nutrition and dietetics. She received her Bachelor’s degree from University of Arkansas and earned a Master of Science in Nutrition from the University of Central Arkansas.
In addition to being Vanderbilt Sports Medicine’s Dietitian for Vanderbilt Athletics, she is also a General Nutritionist for the Vanderbilt Student Health Clinic. She also works in the Pediatric Weight Management Clinic at the Children’s Hospital and the Vanderbilt Nutrition Clinic specializing in pediatric weight management.
Jessica has previously worked at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences Weight Loss and Metabolic Control Clinic from 2006-2007 before moving to Nashville to complete the Dietetic Internship at Vanderbilt in 2008. She then worked in the Vanderbilt Center for Surgical Weight Loss from 2008-2011. She has specialized in weight management before and after surgery and helping patients meet their nutritional needs as they pursue athletic goals post-surgery, such as half-marathons and marathons.
Jessica has obtained a Certificate of Training in Adult Weight Management and is pursuing a board certification as a Specialist in Sports Dietetics from the Commission on Dietetic Registration. She is also a Certified Personal Trainer and is an avid runner, completing 11 half-marathons.
College can be an adjustment, especially when it comes to eating. Jessica’s goal is to help make the transition easier. She is available to help student-athletes find the right foods to perform at their best, whether their goal is to gain weight, lose weight, increase energy, or find the right balance of nutrients. She works closely with the head chef at Athletics if student-athletes have a special diet or food allergies.
College can be an adjustment, especially when it comes to eating. Jessica’s goal is to help make the transition easier. She is available to help student-athletes find the right foods to perform at their best, whether their goal is to gain weight, lose weight, increase energy, or find the right balance of nutrients. She works closely with the head chef at Athletics if student-athletes have a special diet or food allergies.