If you have been searching for a place that sells beautifully fresh, local produce, then look no further than the UAMS campus. We have a quaint little farmer’s market that opens every Thursday from 7:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. They offer a wide variety of fruits, vegetables, and legumes. Located on level B of Parking Garage 2, the mobile market sits to the right of the Central Building entrance/exit. Culinary Medicine had the opportunity to visit in May, and we have the full scoop. 

Danny Carpenter and his associate, Bruce, are incredibly helpful and informative while you shop. They offered shopping bags, prices, and locations of where produce was grown. A whopping eighty-five percent of the produce is locally sourced. Danny has been in the farmer’s market business for over 50 years; his mom started their market from the back of her station wagon when Danny was a young child, and the rest is history. 

The produce at Carpenter Farmer’s Market is so irresistibly delicious that we decided to handpick a couple of recipes to go along with their offerings. We chose to feature a Watermelon Feta Salad as well as a Tomato Cucumber Salad. There is no better time than summer for fresh salads and the tomatoes, watermelon, and cucumber can all be purchased from the market. Click the links below for these tempting salad recipes and be sure to visit the Farmer’s Market!

• Tomato Cucumber Salad
• Watermelon Feta Salad

Culinary Medicine Team and Partners,

We are pleased and excited to welcome Alyssa Frisby, M.S., RD, LD, to her new role as Instructor in Academic Affairs and Brand Manager of the Culinary Medicine Program. While you are all likely familiar with Alyssa through in her part-time role as Instructor, she will make the transition to her full-time role on June 19, 2023. 

Alyssa began working with the CM program in 2021 in the community outreach realm with her role growing into a part-time position in 2022. Alyssa’s unwavering dedication to the program and passion for CM made her an ideal candidate when the Instructor/Brand Manager of Culinary Medicine position became available. In her new role she will be managing all operational and programming for the culinary medicine program. She will help to ensure we reach our vision outlined in our strategic plan of making all Arkansans healthier, increasing nutrition awareness and knowledge to access healthier food options and to increase UAMS Culinary Medicine brand recognition.

Alyssa graduated from the College of Charleston with a bachelor’s degree in mass media communications and went on to complete a post-baccalaureate degree and master’s degree in nutrition from the University of Central Arkansas. She uses her education and skills in communication to promote the Mediterranean Diet lifestyle and share evidence-based nutrition information across campus and in the community in an easily understandable way. 

Alyssa is also the Website and Social Media Coordinator for the Arkansas Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, and was recognized as their Young Dietitian of the Year in 2023. Alyssa believes public health and community development are intertwined and is interested in finding ways to connect people to nutrition and wellness resources in communities across Arkansas.

Please help us welcome Alyssa in her new role.

Welcome Alyssa!

Gloria Richard-Davis, M.D., MBA, NCMP, FACOG

Executive Director, UAMS Division for Diversity, Equity and Inclusion
Professor, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology
Program Director, Culinary Medicine

Culinary Medicine hosted a teaching kitchen for the Arkansas Medical, Dentist, and Pharmaceutical Association (AMDPA) on Saturday, June 3. Eight Participants integrated nutrition education and clinical application while splitting into pairs and working together to prepare recipes chosen to highlight modules used in the Culinary Medicine curriculum. Participants learned how food prepared using culinary techniques can be used as medicine for specific disease states, such as reducing saturated fat and adding fruit in the creamy chicken salad with apple recipe for heart health, building flavor without adding sodium in the shrimp fra diavolo, and a roasted asparagus recipe to manage hypertension. After the cooking was finished, everyone had the opportunity to try everything while participating in a discussion led by Alyssa Frisby, one of Culinary Medicine’s registered dietitians 

The AMDPA is an organization established in 1893 of Black health professionals with a rich history. Members practice and serve primarily underserved communities throughout the state. AMDPA was a forerunner to the American Medical Association (which Black physicians could not join at the time) and the National Medical Association.

Dr. Rhonda Mattox, the president of the AMDPA was overwhelmingly complimentary about her experience. “For our team building exercise, we joined with Culinary Medicine to make a wonderful array of foods. It exceeded my expectations, and there are some foods that I would’ve never ever tried under any circumstances! Case in point, tofu scromblet… oh my gosh, it looks good and tastes good. Also, I have never been a fan of apples in chicken salad, but boy oh boy was it good! I’m the kind of person who makes fun of people that put apples in chicken salad. And I cannot wait to dive into what I made!” Dr. Mattox chose to create the Shrimp Fra Diavolo, a tomato-based pasta dish. “We learned so much about how to dice, how to use the knives properly, and about new utensils like the bench scraper.” 

The recipes were a huge hit, and the communal aspect of the program was widely appreciated. The discussion consisted of a talk about what Food as Medicine means, and how what we eat can prevent and manage certain chronic health issues. Physicians, pharmacists, and dentists can all benefit by incorporating culinary medicine into their consultations with patients. The Culinary Medicine Program is thrilled to have had this opportunity to share its mission.

The Culinary Medicine Kitchen was filled with the comforting scent of delicious, simmering lentil soup being prepared on Friday, May 19. But soup was not the only thing on the menu. Southwestern chicken salad with avocado crema, hummus, and egg salad sandwiches were all a part of an irresistible feast. Although the class may have appeared to be a normal teaching kitchen, it was no ordinary experience. 

This class was specifically designed for patients who live with Parkinson’s disease, and we had a full kitchen. We had the joy of cooking with 24 delightful participants. The Culinary Medicine Program has been offering these classes throughout the year with the mission to empower these patients in their own kitchens and help them feel more comfortable handling cooking equipment. 

The session was led by Alyssa Frisby, one of Culinary Medicine’s registered dieticians. “The quarterly Cooking with Parkinsonism classes are always so much fun to host in the Culinary Medicine Teaching Kitchen. It’s a great way to share nutrition information with participants while also demonstrating how to safely adapt kitchen tools to meet the needs of patients. When we gather around the table to enjoy the different dishes we’ve prepared, we share so much more than just a few bites together,” Alyssa said. Jasmine Verser, our chef, joined Alyssa for this class and prepared the food in a “mis en place” fashion. She also set the kitchen up for the patients. 

This class included a helpful discussion about kitchen safety and tips on cooking with Parkinson’s. Jessica Holton, a UAMS occupational therapist, gave an in depth talk about the various tools that are available to assist Parkinson’s patients in the kitchen. She also took the time to answer any related questions. 

Once all the cooking was finished, the participants got the opportunity to sit down and have a communal lunch with each other. To top it off, the patients also enjoyed a dessert of blueberries and strawberries with shortcake. The patients gave positive feedback about the class. They enjoyed the simplicity and ease of the recipes and especially enjoyed chatting afterwards over their mouthwatering meals.

War Memorial Stadium was bustling with activity early on Saturday morning, May 6, 2023. Excited participants were gearing up for a fun-fueled day at the Be a Part of the Cure Walk hosted by the UAMS Winthrop P. Rockefeller Cancer Institute. The Walk is all about fundraising for cancer research and building community awareness about cancer prevention. So naturally, we wanted to be part of it.

The Culinary Medicine booth was one of many vendors set up on the stadium lawn. The booth was complete with literature for handout purposes on a variety of topics including everything from our virtual teaching kitchens to what a nutrient-dense meal looks like on a plate. We tried to express the importance of a nutritious diet when it comes to cancer prevention.

The team handed out delicious and nutritious peanut butter protein bites, and they were a huge hit! The tasty treats helped to lure in many interested community members. Three dietetic interns from UAMS joined the CM team to make the experience an even better one for the public. They answered questions and had informative conversations with people that stopped by the booth. The Walk had more than 1,000 participants this year, so there were a lot of conversations!

Awareness of the Culinary Medicine Program grew, and that was our mission. Suffice it to say, we will be back next year.

Want to try out those peanut butter protein bites? Check out: https://chefsavvy.com/5-ingredient-peanut-butter-energy-bites/

The Culinary Medicine Team had the recent opportunity to visit the UAMS Women’s Center to bring a teaching kitchen experience to the public. We were able to share helpful nutritional information with the community in an intimate setting. The goal was to focus specifically on women’s health both during pregnancy and throughout life. 

The visit consisted of a cooking demonstration, an educational talk, a question-and-answer session, amazing recipes, and free food. These activities were led by our own Melissa Fenton, a registered dietitian with the Culinary Medicine department, and assisted by Tess Bentley, our resident Americorps VISTA member. They worked together to create two nutrient dense dishes all while explaining the benefits of every ingredient.

The first course of the demonstration was a massaged kale, feta, and strawberry salad. Kale is an excellent source of necessary nutrients and has all kinds of health benefits. In addition to kale, the salad provided a fermented ingredient, feta cheese. Fermented foods also have all kinds of benefits, and one of those is that they are anti-inflammatory. Chronic inflammation can lead to some serious health risks including diabetes, hypertension, and heart disease. That is why having a long-term diet that includes anti-inflammatories is key. 

The main course featured an aromatic lemongrass noodle bowl with the choice of either chicken or tofu. While Melissa prepared the dish on a portable induction burner, she shared the importance of eating enough protein with each meal. The recommended daily amount of protein is 30g for each meal (on a three meal-a-day basis). Proteins are considered the building blocks of life; all human cells contain them. Getting enough protein daily ensures that all parts of the body are functioning properly.

The attendees were encouraged to dine and give feedback about the meal. Everybody had different tastes, and it was fun to discuss and celebrate that fact. The women that attended this event were enthusiastic and contributed to an important conversation we will continue to have with community members in the future.

On March 11, 2023, UAMS Culinary Medicine participated in a community health fair hosted by Little Rock Chapter of Links, Inc and Longley Baptist Church. Healthcare professionals emphasized the need to increase awareness in Black communities about Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD). A whopping 33% of dialysis patients are African American! This percentage is huge considering that African Americans account for only 13% of the general population.

The health fair was a full day of educational information focused on living a healthy lifestyle, how to manage high blood pressure, and how to eat nutritiously. Culinary Medicine’s Dr. Richard-Davis gave a talk on the implementation of culinary medicine into one’s lifestyle and the many health benefits that result. She specifically talked about how the use of culinary medicine can prevent certain conditions such as hypertension and diabetes. Other healthcare professionals also touched on the importance of early detection when it comes to Chronic Kidney Disease. They provided ideas about how to reduce daily stress that contributes to CKD, along with how to prevent certain conditions that lead to CKD (picture below).

The event was a huge success, and made possible by The Black Kidney Awareness Education and Research (Black KARE) Grant from Baxter Pharmaceutical through the Central Area Links, Inc.

On Thursday, February 16, the Culinary Medicine teaching kitchen was filled with all the aromas of a delicious heart-healthy meal. February was Heart Health month, so we made it a point to celebrate with some New Orleans Red Beans and Rice. We partnered with the Arkansas Minority Health Commission’s Southern Ain’t Fried Sundays (SAFS) program to present our first Facebook Live collaborative event. Our mission was to combine the nutritional education portion of culinary medicine with the ideology of SAFS. 

“Southern Ain’t Fried Sundays has a unique approach to helping Arkansans eat healthier by educating people about how to make healthy swaps and prepare traditional, familiar meals in healthier ways. By starting with what is familiar, participants may feel more comfortable incorporating alternatives rather than feeling like they have to start something brand new,” said Alyssa Frisby, RD, and co-instructor of the Facebook Live series. “The partnership between Culinary Medicine and Southern Ain’t Fried Sundays allows us to present easy-to-understand nutrition information and practical culinary skills for the home kitchen to participants, while showing them how to revamp traditional meals into tasty variations that will contribute to better health.” 

So why did we cook beans? Because they are familiar. Red Beans and Rice is a classic southern dish. That is what SAFS does. They take a traditional recipe and put a healthy spin on it. For example, cooking with beans and leaving out the meat can be a fantastic way to be kind to your heart. Beans are not only tasty, but they are also a nutritious source of protein and fiber. 

While everything turned out delicious, that was not even the best part. One of the most rewarding aspects of the partnership was being able to hand out free meal kits to participating families. The first 20 families to sign up automatically received supplies. The kits consisted of all the necessary ingredients to cook along with us. Co-instructor Ronda Gilbert-Hines said “SAFS is a great program to help jump-start your healthy lifestyle change. Plus, it’s free!” 

Don’t worry if you missed out. This was the first in a series of Southern Ain’t Fried Sundays and UAMS Culinary Medicine Facebook Live events. We look forward to doing it again on May 18, August 24, and November 16 (6:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m.). Mark your calendars and be sure to get in on this opportunity to kick-start your health goals.

Gina Drobena, M.D., DipABLM, and Kathryn Neill, Pharm.D., FNAP, received Certified Culinary Medicine Specialist (CCMS) credentials in December 2022. This is outstanding news not only for the UAMS Culinary Medicine Program, but also for all Arkansans. Dr. Drobena and Dr. Neill are two out of only four individuals who have earned the CCMS accreditation in the state. 

The CCMS course provides an in-depth culinary and nutrition foundation. This credential focuses on techniques that address real-world constraints including meal planning, budgeting, and combining nutrition counseling with pharmacological treatment. It is an advanced, intensive course meant to help instructors further the education of Culinary Medicine to students as well as to the public.

An Arkansas native, Dr. Drobena wears many hats on the UAMS Campus. In addition to being involved with the Culinary Medicine Program, she specializes in Transfusion Medicine, Biotherapeutics and Lifestyle Medicine. Dr. Drobena began her training at UAMS in 2000 and subsequently joined the faculty. She is currently the Division Director of Transfusion Medicine and an Associate Professor in the Department of Pathology. Dr. Drobena was drawn to the Culinary Medicine Program due to her personal interest and passion for how food can affect the mind and body. 

“Teaching culinary medicine skills to our wide array of learners has been one of the most rewarding aspects of my career,” Dr. Drobena said. “I obtained certification to translate my passion into an easily recognizable credential that shows we at UAMS are working to move the health of Arkansans forward and are a premier educational institution for culinary medicine.”

Dr. Neill is an Associate Professor in the Department of Pharmacy Practice at UAMS. She received a fellowship in Neuropharmacology and practiced as a Pulmonary and Critical Care Specialist for the UAMS Intensive Care Unit. Currently, Dr. Neill works in the Division of Academic Affairs where she holds the titles of Associate Provost for Academics and Director of Interprofessional Administrative and Curricular Affairs. The Culinary Medicine Program hosts a variety of Interprofessional Education classes, and Dr. Neill has guided the integration of Culinary Medicine as a longitudinal theme in the campus-wide UAMS IPE curriculum.

“As a pharmacist, diet and lifestyle recommendations have always been a key part of my practice. The growth and recognition of Culinary Medicine and Lifestyle Medicine as specialties highlights how essential these principles are to the health of all patients that we serve as well as being key to our personal wellness,” Dr. Neill said. “The Culinary Medicine Program at UAMS provides a foundation to empower students and providers with the knowledge and skills to address therapeutic nutrition planning across the spectrum. I obtained certification to improve my ability to help develop UAMS’ commitment to creating successful interprofessional education and collaboration with culinary medicine as a key component in patient care.” 

The goal of the UAMS Culinary Medicine Program is to supply health care providers with knowledge on healthy food choices and culinary skills to enhance their ability to counsel patients on prevention and disease-specific management through food. There is a hope to provide education not only to students and patients, but also to expand outreach to the various communities in Arkansas. Because they received CCMS credentials, Dr. Drobena and Dr. Neill are now even better equipped to spread the message of using food as medicine.

CM Creates Fast and Frugal Recipe from Stocked and Reddie Supplies

There is a very unassuming building located on Monroe Street, just off the UAMS Little Rock campus. It’s an average run-of-the-mill brick and mortar. What goes on inside is not so average, however. Welcome to the Stocked and Reddie Pantry.

When you walk into the Stocked and Reddie pantry, you’re instantly greeted at the door. An employee asks for your UAMS or Arkansas Children’s Hospital badge, and then you’re all set to shop. The pantry is a neatly organized maze of all the essentials. The pantry has everything from shampoo and conditioner to fresh produce (when available). Stocked and Reddie is run by a handful of charming employees that will make you feel welcomed and comfortable. These employees are on a mission.

“We’re on a mission to provide nutritious food to ACH & UAMS employees, students, residents, and interns who sometimes find it difficult to access fresh produce and balanced meals for themselves and their families,” Jennifer Mondragon, the manager at the pantry, said.

She described several different frequent shoppers and their current circumstances.

“I was able to meet a man whose wife had passed, and he didn’t know how to cook. He was accessing the pantry and I was able to share some ideas and techniques with him along with some recipes for things we gave out for that day,” she said.

Jennifer explained that they try to choose daily items that go well together in a recipe.

Every shopper is allowed up to three wholesome meals per visit, and they can
visit twice per week. The shopping hours are Mondays and Thursdays from
12:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.

If you’re a student, resident, or employee of UAMS or ACH that could use a little extra help, please don’t hesitate to take advantage of the Stocked and Reddie Pantry. It’s here to make your life a little easier.