Dr. Karen Studer to Lead Joan P. Brock Institute for Nutrition Science and Health

The Joan P. Brock Institute for Nutrition Science and Health at Macon & Joan Brock Virginia Health Sciences at Old Dominion University has reached one other main milestone with the appointment of Karen Studer, MD, MBA, M.P.H., as its inaugural government director, efficient October 5, 2026.

Since asserting the institution of the institute final yr by means of Joan Brock’s transformational $15 million present, the University has been constructing the inspiration for a daring new method to diet science, life-style drugs and persistent illness prevention.

“The appointment of Dr. Studer represents an exciting new chapter for the Joan P. Brock Institute for Nutrition Science and Health,” mentioned Old Dominion University President Brian O. Hemphill, Ph.D. “Due to Joan Brock’s extraordinary vision and generosity, we have established a remarkable foundation for an institute that will advance scientific discovery, improve health and prepare the next generation of healthcare professionals. Dr. Studer is the ideal leader to build on that foundation and elevate the institute as a national model for integrating nutrition and lifestyle medicine into education, research and community impact.”

Dr. Studer joins Old Dominion University from Loma Linda University, the place she at the moment serves as chair of the Department of Preventive Medicine. Throughout her profession, she has demonstrated management in preventive and life-style drugs, graduate medical schooling and tutorial program growth. She has led tutorial and scientific initiatives, secured aggressive federal funding and developed progressive academic packages that put together physicians to handle persistent illness by means of evidence-based prevention and life-style interventions.

Her schooling {and professional} coaching mirror the interdisciplinary method central to the institute’s mission. She earned a Master of Public Health, a Doctor of Medicine and a Master of Business Administration in Health Administration; accomplished her residency in public well being and basic preventive drugs; and is board licensed in public well being and basic preventive drugs, life-style drugs, life-style drugs intensivist, weight problems drugs and integrative holistic drugs.

Dr. Studer can also be acknowledged nationally for her management within the discipline. She serves on the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education’s Milestones Committee for Nutrition and Review Committee for Preventive Medicine; is a director of the American Board of Preventive Medicine, the place she chairs the Focused Practice Designation in Lifestyle Medicine Committee; and is a board member of the California Academy of Preventive Medicine. She can also be co-creator and copyright holder of the Lifestyle Medicine Residency Curriculum, developed in partnership with the American College of Lifestyle Medicine. 

The Joan P. Brock Institute for Nutrition Science and Health serves as a multidisciplinary hub that integrates diet and life-style drugs into medical and well being professions schooling, analysis, scientific innovation and group well being. Its mission aligns with Macon & Joan Brock Virginia Health Sciences at Old Dominion University’s dedication to getting ready healthcare professionals who perceive the important position diet and wholesome existence play in stopping and managing persistent illness. 

“Dr. Studer’s expertise and collaborative approach make her exceptionally well suited to lead this important initiative,” said Alfred Abuhamad, MD, executive vice president for health sciences at Old Dominion University. “I am confident that her leadership will strengthen interdisciplinary collaboration, expand opportunities for research and education, while advancing the institute’s vision to prevent disease, improve health and enhance the well-being of the communities we serve.”

Read extra concerning the Joan P. Brock Institute for Nutrition Science and Health.

Learn extra about new on-line Master of Science in Nutrition (M.S.).