Dr. Richard-Davis serves as Program Director and lead instructor for the UAMS Culinary Medicine Program. Her passion for culinary medicine grew out of her concern and focus on optimizing women’s health prior to conception for better pregnancy outcomes. Her polycystic ovarian patients that struggle with obesity and glucose abnormalities were the catalyst that started her focus on culinary medicine. As an undergraduate student, she studied nutrition at Harvard University and it was there her understanding of the importance of nutrition and its impact on health was formed. We are able to treat or improve many of our chronic diseases through “food as medicine.” Patient education to make healthy food choices is a powerful tool that we have underutilized.
For our students, it’s important that we provide the basic knowledge and skills to be able to counsel their patients regarding health options. Most medical school curriculum is deficient in nutrition education. The culinary medicine curriculum provides the didactics of nutrition combined with hands-on culinary skills to make the food choices delicious. The basic course includes eight modules that cover all the common chronic diseases. There are case studies and we discuss how they may help their patients modify their food choices. It’s interactive and fun!!
Dr. Richard-Davis is Professor and Executive Director for the UAMS Division of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion, Division Director for Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility as well as Medical Director for the Physician Assistants program. She joined the UAMS faculty in January 2013. She is board certified in Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility and Obstetrics and Gynecology. She previously served as Professor and Chair of the Obstetrics and Gynecology Department at Meharry Medical College from January 2007 – 2012. Prior to her appointment, Dr. Richard-Davis served as the Section Head of Reproductive Health Services for the Ochsner Clinic Foundation and the Medical Director of the Fertility Center at Ochsner from 2000-2007 in New Orleans. She was Assistant Dean in Student Affairs and Assistant Professor in the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology at Tulane University School of Medicine from 1994 – 1998.
Dr. Richard-Davis received her medical degree from Louisiana State University School of Medicine in 1982. She completed her residency training in Obstetrics and Gynecology at Madigan Army Medical Center in Tacoma, Washington from 1982 – 1986. She received her fellowship training in Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility at Wayne State University/ Hutzel Hospital in Detroit, Michigan. Dr. Richard-Davis has more than 25 years of experience in women’s health and reproductive endocrinology and in general obstetrics and gynecology. She has served in leadership positions in medical professional societies, including the American Society of Reproductive Medicine, the North American Menopause Society, and the American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology. She is an oral board examiner for ABOG. She is also the recipient of many awards and grants for her research and scholarly activities.
Her other areas of research and active interest include menopausal health, polycystic ovarian syndrome, female sexual dysfunction, uterine fibroids, ovulation induction, reproductive disruptors, and assisted reproductive technologies. She has authored over 50 peer-reviewed publications and a book on infertility entitled “Planning Parenthood: Strategies for Success in Fertility Assistance, Adoption, and Surrogacy.”