Faculty and Staff Profiles

Sara Foley
Clinical Assoc Professor, College of Health Sciences
Email: sfoley@memphis.edu
Office Location: 161a3 Elma Roane Fieldhouse
Profile

Ms. Foley is an Assistant Clinical Professor in the College of Health Sciences Nutrition Unit and serves as the Clinical Coordinator of the Clinical Nutrition Masters and Dietetic Internship Program. She enjoys teaching students through hands-on learning, such as the implementation of the Healthy Teaching Kitchen and Camp CHEF in 2017. From guest speaking in the Memphis community to cooking demonstrations on campus, getting individuals excited about food and nutrition is her passion. Before joining University of Memphis, Ms. Foley was a Clinical RD and the Food Systems Dietitian at the VA Medical Center in Memphis for over 9 years. While there, she served as preceptor to numerous University of Memphis and VA interns, implemented many quality improvement projects, and served as primary lead on intern projects yearly. Ms. Foley has served on both state and local professional nutrition and dietetics boards which has allowed her to strengthen her leadership skills and network with many dietetic professionals. She also has completed several coaching, mentoring and leadership programs to help mentor students during graduate school courses and internship experiences. In 2015, Ms. Foley joined the UofM team as an adjunct faculty member where she discovered a bigger passion for teaching and mentoring students, and in January 2016 she took on her current role.

Education
  • BS Human Sciences, Food & Nutrition - Mississippi State University - 2004
  • MS Nutrition - Mississippi State University - 2006

Work Experience
  • Clinical Associate Professor, College of Health Sciences - University of Memphis - January 2016 - present
  • Adjunct Faculty, School of Health Studies - University of Memphis - January 2015 - December 2015
  • Food Systems Dietitian, Nutrition and Food Services - Department of Veterans Affairs - January 2009-January 2016
  • Clinical Dietitian, Nutrition and Food Services - Department of Veterans Affairs - September 2006-January 2009
Honors/Awards
  • Outstanding Dietitian of the Year - Tennessee Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics - 2020-2021
  • Outstanding Dietitian of the Year - Memphis Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics - 2020-2021
  • Outstanding Dietetics Educator Award - Memphis Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics - 2018-2019
  • Recognized Young Dietitian of the Year - Memphis Academy of Nutrition & Dietetics - 2012
  • Preceptor of the Quarter - VA Medical Center - 2014
  • Preceptor of the Quarter - VA Medical Center - 2013

Teaching Experience
  • HLSC 2100 Wellness Concepts & Practices - University of Memphis
  • NUTR 4010 | 6010 Management and Food Systems - University of Memphis
  • NUTR 7481 Clinical Internship in Nutrition - University of Memphis
  • NUTR 7205 Nutrition in Acute and Chronic Illness I - University of Memphis
  • NUTR 7305 Nutrition in Acute and Chronic Illness II - University of Memphis
  • NUTR 7482 Residency - University of Memphis
  • HPRO 7780 Counseling - University of Memphis
  • NUTR 2202 Nutrition - University of Memphis

Creative Activities
  • Camp CHEF - June 2017 - present -   - CHS
  • Rise Against Hunger event coordinator - April 2018-2021 -   - CHS
  • Healthy Teaching Kitchen - January 2017-2020 -   - CHS
  • Leadership Institute/Workshop - 2010, 2011, 2012, 2018, 2020, 2021 -   - Tennessee Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics
  • Certificate of Weight Management - October 2013 -   - Academy of Nutrition & Dietetics
  • Graduate of the Mid-South Healthcare Network Leadership Institute - 2012 -   - VA Medical Center
  • Coach/Mentor Certificate, Fellow Level - December 2012 -   - VA Medical Center
  • LEAD Facility Mentoring Program - January-June 2009 -   - VA Medical Center
  • Franklin Covey Training - January 2009 -   - VA Medical Center
Service
  • Commission on Dietetics Registration - New Item Writing Workshop - 2022
  • Memphis Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics - Fundraising Chair - 2022-2024
  • Tennessee Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics - Treasurer - 2020-2022
  • University of Memphis - CHS Scholarship Committee - 2019-present
  • University of Memphis - MS/DI Intern Selection Committee - 2016-present
  • VA Medical Center - Dietetic Internship Advisory Committee Member - 2016-2020
  • University of Memphis - Nutrition Advisory Committee - 2016-present
  • Memphis Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics - Past-President - 2019-2020
  • Memphis Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics - President - 2018-2019
  • Memphis Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics - President-Elect - 2017-2018
  • Memphis Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics - Gala Committee Member - 2017-2018
  • Tennessee Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics - Nominating Committee Member - 2016-2017
  • University of Memphis - Community Service Committee - 2016-2017
  • University of Memphis - Rise Against Hunger Volunteer - April 2016 - 2021
  • University of Memphis - Earth Day Volunteer - April 2016 - present
  • University of Memphis - Wellness Fair Volunteer - April 2016
  • Memphis Academy of Nutrition & Dietetics - Scholarship & Awards Chair - 2015-2016
  • Tennessee Academy of Nutrition & Dietetics - Elected CPI-Chairperson - 2013-2014
  • Tennessee Academy of Nutrition & Dietetics - Elected CPI-Elect - 2012-2013
  • Memphis Academy of Nutrition & Dietetics - Elected Treasurer - 2010-2012
  • Memphis Academy of Nutrition & Dietetics - Website Manager - 2009-2010
  • VA Medical Center - NFS Marketing and Nutrition Informatics - 2011-2014
  • VA Medical Center - Community Inspections including veteran Nursing & Foster Care Homes and Transitional Housing - 2009-2015
  • VA Medical Center - Infection Control Committee Member - 2009-2015
  • VA Medical Center - Professional Standards Board Chairperson - 2009-2012