Faculty and Staff Profiles

Mary Catherine
Clinical Assoc Professor, College of Health Sciences
Email: mcclark1@memphis.edu
Office Location:
Office Hours: Field House, 161B
Profile

I am delighted to be a full time member of the University of Memphis Family! I graduated from University of Memphis with my MS in Clinical Nutrition in 2006 and worked as a Critical Care/Nutrition Support Dietitian at the VA Medical Center from 2006-2013. While at the VA I served as preceptor for dozens of Dietetic Interns. In 2008,I started teaching Medical Nutrition Therapy I and II at U of M as an adjunct, and it was then that I realized my true passion for educating future nutrition professionals. I strive to incorporate a love of life-long learning in every course I teach. It is a personal goal that every graduate from the University of Memphis Didactic Program in Dietetics should leave this place with a desire for life-long learning and a commitment to the improvement of the nations' nutrition outlook. One of the most effective ways to make a difference in health and wellness on a national and global level is through involvement in our local, state, and national professional association. I have been a member of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics since 2004 and served on the Academy's Critical Illness Network from 2008-2010. Additionally, I have held numerous elected positions in the local and state dietetic associations including President of the Memphis Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, and President of the Tennessee Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. I currently serve as the Tennessee Delegate to the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics House of Delegates where I also serve in the role of PODS (mentorship) co-chair and on the Culture Team. I was recently honored with the Outstanding Dietetic Educator award from the Memphis Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. I am constantly incorporating new technology into the classes I teach, in an effort to enhance my students' experience and prepare them for careers in the constantly evolving health and wellness industry.

Education
  • Graduate Certificate Instructional Design and Technology - The University of Memphis - 2020
  • MS Clinical Nutrition - The University of Memphis - 2006
  • BS Dietetics - Harding University - 2005

Work Experience
  • Clinical Associate Professor and Director, Didactic Program in Dietetics, College of Health Sciences - The University of Memphis - August 2020-Present
  • Clinical Associate Professor and Director, Didactic Program in Dietetics, School of Health Studies - The University of Memphis - August 2019-August 2020
  • Clinical Assistant Professor and Director, Didactic Program in Dietetics, School of Health Studies - The University of Memphis - August 2013-August 2019
  • Nutrition Support Dietitian, Nutrition and Food Services - Veterans Affairs Medical Center - Memphis, TN - 2006-2013
  • Adjunct Faculty, Health and Sport Sciences - The University of Memphis - 2008-2013
  • Adjunct Faculty, Biology - Christian Brothers University - 2012
Honors/Awards
  • Emerging Dietetic Leader - Memphis District Dietetic Association - 2010
  • Recognized Young Dietitian of the Year - Memphis District Dietetic Association - 2011
  • Recognized Young Dietitian of the Year - Tennessee Dietetic Association - 2011
  • Outstanding Dietitian of the Year - Memphis District Dietetic Association - 2012
  • Nutrition Support Team of Disctinction - ASPEN - 2013
  • Excellence in Teaching Award - Department of Health and Sport Sciences - 2015
  • Outstanding Dietetics Educator - Memphis Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics - 2020

Teaching Experience
  • Senior Seminar in Dietetics - The University of Memphis
  • Introduction to Dietetics - The University of Memphis
  • Medical Nutrition Therapy I - The University of Memphis
  • Medical Nutrition Therapy II - The University of Memphis
  • Internship in Nutrition - The University of Memphis
  • Senior Project - The University of Memphis
  • Nutrition Care Process I - The University of Memphis
  • Professional Issues in Nutrition - The University of Memphis
  • Clinical Residency in Nutrition - The University of Memphis
  • Nutrition - Christian Brother's University
  • Intro to Culinary Nutrition - University of Memphis
  • Intro to Culinary Nutrition Laboratory - University of Memphis
  • Pharmacology for Nutrition Professionals - The University of Memphis
Service
  • The University of Memphis - HSS Undergraduate Curriculum Committee - 2013-Present
  • Memphis District Dietetic Association - Council on Professional Issues - Chair Elect - 2009-2010
  • Memphis District Dietetic Association - Council on Professional Issues - Chair - 2010-2011
  • Memphis District Dietetic Association - President Elect - 2011-2012
  • Memphis Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics - President - 2012-2013
  • Memphis Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics - Immediate Past President - 2013-2014
  • Tennessee Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics - President Elect-Elect - 2014-2015
  • Tennessee Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics - President-Elect - 2015-2016
  • Tennessee Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics - President - 2016-2017
  • Tennessee Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics - Past-President - 2017-2018
  • The University of Memphis - University Appeals Committee - 2017-Present
  • Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics - Member Services Committee - 2017-2020
  • University of Tennessee - Shelby County Extension Advisory Committee - 2015-Present
  • Church Health - Culinary Medicine Advisory Committee - 2015-Present
  • The University of Memphis - School of Health Studies- Healthy Teaching Kitchen Co-Founder - 2017-Present
  • The University of Memphis - School of Health Studies CampCHEF Co-Founder and Co-Director - 2017- Present
  • Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics - House of Delegates - TN Delegate - 2019-present
  • Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics - House of Delegates - Culture Team Member - 2019-2021
  • Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics - House of Delegates - PODS (Power of Delegate Support) Co-Chair - 2020-present
Presentations
  • Tiger Bites Nutrition - An Applied Approach to Nutrition for Student Athletes, American Athletic Conference Academic Consortium, April 2022
  • The State of the State - Tennessee Delegate Report, Memphis Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics 5/4/22
  • What is a Delegate? TN Delegate Presentation to Memphis Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics 11/12/2019
  • The State of Nutrition in Tennessee - "State of the State" President's address, Memphis Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, November 2016
  • The State of Nutrition in Tennessee - "State of the State" President's address, Nashville Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, November 2016
  • The State of Nutrition in Tennessee - "State of the State" President's address, West Tennessee Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, October 2016
  • Causes and Nutritional Implications of Cancer Cachexia, October 2012, ASPEN Clinical Nutrition Webinar
  • Review of the ASPEN 2009 Enteral Nutrition Safe Practice Recommendations, November 2010, West Tennessee Dietetic Association, Jackson TN
  • Review of the ASPEN 2009 EN Safe Practice Recommendations, May 2010, Veterans Health Administration, Nutrition Quality Summit, La Jolla California