Dr. Shante Jeune, Ph.D., RDN, is a registered dietitian nutritionist (RDN) and Assistant Professor in the Department of Health Sciences. Her research interests include studying ways to improve health and nutrition outcomes among underrepresented children, adolescents, and young adults through nutrition education. Jeune’s past research focused on increasing fruit and vegetable knowledge and intake among predominantly Black adolescents using an urban vegetable garden as an intervention. She also conducted a USDA-funded nutrition education research intervention with Hispanic families to study parent-child interactions in this population during mealtimes. Recently, Jeune completed a project examining the relationship between interoception, self-regulation, eating styles, and weight status in college students.

Dr. Karch currently serves as the Health Officer and Director of the Florida Department of Health in Orange County (DOH-Orange). Prior to joining DOH-Orange in 2022, Dr. Karch served as the Deputy Secretary and Deputy State Health Officer for Children’s Medical Services at the Florida Department of Health. He has practiced ambulatory and inpatient pediatrics with the Nemours Foundation and served as the president of the medical staff and chair of the medical executive committee at Nemours Children’s Hospital in Orlando, Florida. He is an Associate Professor of Pediatrics at the University of Central Florida (UCF) College of Medicine, where he directed the medical nutrition curriculum from 2011-2018 and developed the Culinary Medicine Nutrition elective in 2018. He also served as the UCF College of Medicine pediatric clerkship site director for the Nemours Children’s Hospital inpatient teaching service from 2014-2019. He was inducted into the Gold Humanism Honor Society at UCF College of Medicine in 2017.

He is board certified by the American Board of Pediatrics and is a fellow of the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP). He is also a member of the Florida Chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics (FCAAP), the American Public Health Association, the Florida Public Health Association, the American Society for Nutrition, and the American College of Lifestyle Medicine. He is a Board Member of the Florida Healthy Kids Corporation, the Orange County Early Learning Coalition, and sits on the Orange County Opioid Advisory Committee. He also serves on the Florida State Health Improvement Plan (SHIP) (2022-2026) Advisory Committee and is a Co-Chair of the SHIP Injury, Safety and Violence Priority Area Workgroup.

Dr. Karch earned his Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Delaware, a Master of Public Health degree from the Columbia University Mailman School of Public Health and a Master of Science degree in Health Policy Research from the University of Pennsylvania. He earned his Medical Degree (MD) from the Georgetown University School of Medicine in Washington, D.C.

Dr. Karch completed his pediatric internship and residency training at the Miami Nicklaus Children’s Hospital), where he also served as chief pediatric resident. Following residency training, he served in the National Health Service Corp (NHSC) as a general pediatrician in rural northern Arizona at the Canyonlands Community Health Care Center in Page, Arizona. After his NHSC service, Dr. Karch completed a fellowship in Pediatric Nutrition within the Division of Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition at The Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia. He also completed a Health Services and Health Policy research fellowship in the Robert Wood Johnson Clinical Scholars Program at the University of Pennsylvania

Workshop 1B: Nutritional Deficiencies Affecting Pregnancy and Other Aspects of Women’s Reproductive Health: A Global Perspective

by Dr. Suzanne Burlone (MD, MSPH, FACOG) 

This workshop will examine the nutritional deficiencies that impact pregnancy and other aspects of women’s reproductive health worldwide. Participants will explore the global prevalence of these deficiencies, their effects on maternal and fetal health, and strategies to address them. Attendees will gain a deeper understanding of how nutrition influences reproductive health and ways to implement effective interventions across different settings.

Workshop 1C: Using Census Data to Understand Food Insecurity: Research and Community Engagement.

by Dr. Caroline Nickerson, PhD

This hands-on workshop will introduce participants to using census data and other publicly available resources to identify and analyze food insecurity within communities. Participants will learn how to craft research questions, gather and interpret data, and design actionable solutions to address food insecurity. Using real-world examples from FCI’s work, including needs assessments and the Florida Resource Map, attendees will leave equipped to engage in meaningful research and community initiatives, and with an understanding of how to analyze and cite food insecurity for grant applications and to achieve programmatic goals.

Workshop 2A:  Healthy Cooking on a Budget: Practical Solutions for Food Insecurity + Resources for Current Students 

A combined workshop:

• by Meagan Case
• The WHPS team will lead an interactive healthy cooking demonstration that provides participants with accessible skills and recipes designed for people with limited time and resources. The workshop focuses on creating nutritious, cost-effective meals using affordable ingredients and minimal equipment. Attendees will get to sample the food at the end of the workshop.
• by Chloe Milliron
• In this workshop with Knights Helping Knights Pantry manager, Chloe Milliron, guests will be able to learn more about the pantry and what it offers. In addition, guests will learn about food insecurity and how it can be addressed. Guests will be able to participate in an active setting and participate in discussion.

Workshop 2B: Health and Hunger – How Nutrition Improves Chronic Health Outcomes

• by Dr. Maureen Hawkins (PhD)
• This workshop will explore how nutrition plays a key role in improving chronic health outcomes. Participants will learn about the Health & Hunger Task Force, a coalition focused on addressing the intersection of food insecurity and chronic illness. Attendees will gain insights into the impact of nutrition on long-term health and strategies to improve outcomes for individuals facing both food insecurity and chronic conditions.

Workshop 3A: Policy Making for Food Insecurity

• by Stephanie Marie Palacios (JD)  
• This workshop will focus on policy making for food insecurity, exploring strategies to address hunger and its impact on public health. Participants will analyze case studies and discuss the roles of governments, nonprofits, and businesses in creating solutions that improve both food access and health outcomes. Attendees will gain practical knowledge to design and advocate for policies that reduce food insecurity and promote healthier communities.

Workshop 3B: Impact of Malnutrition Throughout the Lifecycle: Infancy to Advanced Age

• by Lisa Cooper MS, RDN, LDN, Registered Dietitian & Jennifer Beery RDN/LDN, Registered Dietitian
• Malnutrition is a concern across all age groups from infancy and adolescence to middle-age and advanced-age individuals. This session will discuss the prevalence, nutrition risk and strategies to overcome malnutrition throughout the lifecycle.

Workshop 3C: Poverty Simulator and Screening Tool

• by the Lifestyle Medicine Interest Group 
• Learn how to screen for food insecurity in clinical practice using tools like the Hunger Vital Sign and practice sensitive patient conversations through role-play scenarios. This workshop includes a poverty simulation, group discussions, and practical resources to address social determinants of health. Gain the skills and confidence to integrate food insecurity screening into patient care and explore ways to make an impact in your community.

Workshop 3D: Motivational Interviewing

• by Dr. Analia Castiglioni (MD), Dr. Richard Henriquez (MD), and Dr. Nicole Brenner (MD)  
• An interactive session on motivational interviewing tailored to addressing patient needs, including food insecurity. Participants will analyze examples of effective and ineffective interviewing techniques, learn key communication strategies for building trust and understanding, and engage in hands-on practice to refine their skills. This workshop provides a unique opportunity to enhance your ability to connect with patients and support their well-being.