Department: Health Sciences

Department: Health Sciences

Pediatric Surgeon Patricia Donahoe (Sargent’58) to Deliver Sargent Convocation Address

Pediatric surgeon, researcher, educator and former chief of pediatric surgery Patricia Donahoe, MD, (Sargent’58) will deliver the Sargent College commencement address on May 22. Director of Pediatric Surgical Research Laboratories at Massachusetts General Hospital, Dr. Donahoe will address undergraduate and graduate students from the Sargent Class of 2022 earning degrees in health disciplines including health […]

“Shedding Light on How Mushrooms are Good for your Health” quoting Joan Salge Blake

(02/28/2022, The Washington Post) Expert quote: “Mushrooms are wonderful sources of the minerals potassium and selenium. Potassium can help lower high blood pressure, while selenium is an antioxidant that protects your cells from free radicals. If free radicals accumulate faster than your body can neutralize them, their damaging effects can contribute to chronic diseases such as […]

“The 5 Healthiest Yogurts Currently on Store Shelves” quoting Joan Salge Blake

(03/29/2022, The Food Institute)   Expert quote: “When comes to choosing yogurts, consumers should be looking for a brand that is low heart-unhealthy saturated fat as well as added sugars but contain active probiotics. Consuming this type of yogurt with high fiber grains can provide the prebiotics than help probiotics thrive.” – Clinical Professor of Nutrition Joan Salge […]

Student Reflection: Eating Disorders in the South Asian Community

This personal reflection was written by MS in Nutrition student Shikha Advani (Sargent ’22) as part of the course Eating Disorders Treatment and Prevention and has been published on the Walden Behavioral Care blog. In the South Asian community, there is a significant stigma around mental illness. In my childhood, I never heard the term […]

Joan Salge Blake on the African Heritage Diet: A Celebration of History With Health Benefits

(2/14/22, U.S. News & World Report)   “The African heritage diet celebrates the culinary legacy of healthy eating for people of African descent. The African heritage diet pyramid is yet another science-based healthy eating option. And it’s about time that we started embracing other cultures and their positive health benefits.” – Clinical Professor of Nutrition Joan […]

Nicola McKeown, PhD

Scholarly, Research, and/or Practice Interests Role of carbohydrates (dietary fiber, whole-grains and sugar) on cardiometabolic risk Genetic predisposition to metabolic risk factors in the presence of high versus low sugar diets Dietary patterns and health and predictors of dietary adherence among followers of popular diets Dietary methodology for population studies and use of novel biomarkers […]

Sara O’Brien, MS, RD-AP, LDN, CNSC

Scholarly, Research, and/or Practical Interests Sara O’Brien is an advanced practice registered dietitian with special areas of interest in clinical nutrition, malnutrition diagnosis, nutrition focused physical exam, nutrition support and critical care. An educator with a passion for healthcare simulation through a nutrition lens. Publications Usmani, Ayman A, O’Brien, Sara, Burns, David L . “Chapter […]

“10 Healthy Holiday Gift Ideas” quoting Joan Salge Blake

(12/3/21, US News & World Report) Expert Quote: “Most Americans are following short of consuming the recommended 2 cups of fruit daily, and hence, aren’t meeting their daily potassium and fiber needs…When that box of Mother Nature’s finest arrives with the most delicious, sweetest fruit, it is guaranteed to be a treat and help with […]