This year marks three decades of the Emory University Student Health Services (SHS) Nutrition Services Program, which provides a broad array of services to more students than ever. Nutrition services, which include confidential, individual sessions with registered dietitians, are available to all enrolled Emory students, with no referral required and at no cost to students.
A part of Campus Life, nutrition services support roughly 1,300 students per year through appointments, divided nearly evenly between undergraduate and graduate students. Students who use the program report a 94% satisfaction rating, as reported by after-visit surveys.
“We meet students where they are and offer information and support to inform the decisions they make about their nutrition, which is a very personal issue,” says Brittany Verras, associate director of nutrition services.
The program’s dietitians work to increase awareness of nutrition practices across campus, from student group presentations to collaborations with Athletics as well as Recreation and Wellness.
Verras brings to her job a tireless passion for helping students foster a good relationship with food. She takes pride in myth-busting and “breaking rigid, unnecessary rules” that get in the way of enjoying food and eating well.
“A lot of students come to college who never had to think about food quality or how to plan or prepare meals because the adults in their lives always handled those responsibilities,” adds Verras, who holds a master’s degree in public health and several certifications in her field.
“We offer guidance, but students make their own decisions about their nutrition planning and goals — and they have confidence in those decisions,” she says.
“A common misconception is that dietitians simply tell you to eat more fruits and veggies,” says nutrition services coordinator Sarah Flood, who taught in Emory’s Health 1,2,3,4 Program before joining SHS.
“That is definitely part of what we do, but we are not the food police,” adds Flood, who holds a master’s degree in sports nutrition and specializes in that field. “We are guides who help students develop personalized roadmaps to navigate their unique nutrition needs, understand their options and get to their destination.”
Flood and Verras both say their objective is to build skills and knowledge so students can confidently make food decisions. This is true whether individuals are addressing a medical concern, negative feelings toward eating, or another challenge. The Nutrition Services Program also integrates physical health with mental and emotional health, referring students to on-campus resources such as SHS primary care, the Center for Student Wellbeing, Counseling and Psychological Services and Case Management and Intervention Services as needed. They also partner with outside care providers.
Ahead of the curve, and keeping things current
Student nutrition services at Emory were first offered in 1996, when Carol Kelly joined SHS as its inaugural clinical dietitian and developed the program’s clinical care and outreach capabilities.
“Emory Student Health Services was well ahead of many peer institutions in recognizing the value of providing students with access to professional nutrition consultation, understanding its role in promoting well-being and academic success,” says Kelly, who retired in 2023 as associate director of nutrition services.
In 2018, Kelly hired Verras, who had served four years with Emory’s Department of Family and Preventive Medicine. When Kelly retired, Verras became the program’s leader. Flood joined the team that fall.
“There have been a lot of changes over the years — including major advances in what we know and understand about nutrition and human health and how to elevate public awareness of good nutrition practices,” says Verras.
“But one thing has not changed,” she adds. “Student Health Services remains absolutely committed to offering Emory students the very best consultation and services — the information they need to develop and maintain nutrition practices that will support good health and well-being for a lifetime.”
Get support from the Nutrition Services Program
Support provided by the SHS Nutrition Services Program includes:
- Adopting a plant-based, vegetarian or vegan diet
- Addressing disordered eating and helping to normalize eating patterns
- Recommending referrals for food insecurity
- Answering general nutrition questions
- Achieving and managing a healthy weight
- Managing nutrition-related disease/health problems
- Managing weight and body image concerns
- Developing mindful eating practices
- Developing a sports nutrition plan
- Various other nutrition-related needs
Scheduling an appointment with an SHS dietitian is simple: Contact the nutrition team through the SHS Student Patient Portal and schedule an in-person or virtual appointment. All interactions are confidential.