NCCU Opens Nutrition Clinic for Campus and Community

Don't know how to eat correctly? Want to avoid chronic health issues? Looking for tips on preparing healthy foods? North Carolina Central University(NCCU) can now help.

On Oct. 22, the department of nutrition sciences opened the Eagle Nutrition Clinic in the Miller-Morgan Health Science Building, room 207. Funding for the clinic started with Mohammed Ahmed, Ph.D., dean of the College of Health and Sciences, who noticed that pharmaceutical manufacturer AstraZeneca was offering a grant for organizations support health equity. He contacted Kimberly Powell, Ph.D., director of the NCCU program that trains registered dietitians and nutritionists.

Deepak Kumar, Ph.D., associate provost and dean of research and sponsored programs consulted on the project.

Powell developed proposals and received $385,000 in year one and $250,000 in year two.

"We started with community outreach," Powell said. "Going to health fairs, summer camp at the campus garden."

"Cooking demonstrations at Lincoln Community Health Center," added Shaynee Roper, DCN. "Churches in Durham County. Health fairs for seniors."

While in the community, the clinic also consulted with area residents on their blood sugar levels, iron, cholesterol, blood pressure, body composition and other topics.

While conducting community outreach, Powell simultaneously began searching for clinic space and equipment and initiated the hiring process that resulted in Roper becoming director of the Eagle Nutrition Clinic & Community Outreach. Roper has been a dietitian for 33 years and, prior to accepting the position, she taught nutrition NCCU on an adjunct basis for seven years.

The clinic has taken three to five students studying nutrition and dietetics to each event and, under supervision, plans to have them consult with clinic patients.

"One graduate student came to the Durham Senior Center for a health fair," Powell said. "She loved conversing with the seniors. She switched her elective class to gerontology."

The clinic intends to hire another dietitian, part time to start.

The biggest challenge to running a nutrition clinic is patients making an appointment but then not showing up.

"They fear what we are going to say, that we are going to judge them," Powell said. "We are here to explore how we can make the best possible choices within the foods you enjoy and feel comfortable with."

"They are scared of having to give up everything they love that is food related," Roper said.

The Eagle Nutrition Clinic is open to members of the campus community - students, staff, faculty - as well as the public. The clinic is open by appointment primarily on Tuesdays and Thursday although it will consider other days.

There is no cost for services.

To make an appointment, contact the clinic at [email protected]or (919) 530-7140.

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