Lincoln Memorial University-DeBusk College of Osteopathic Medicine (LMU-DCOM) is joining a national effort led by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to expand nutrition education in medical school training and better prepare physicians to address chronic disease.
The HHS “Advancing Nutrition Education Across the Medical Continuum” initiative brings together leading medical schools committed to strengthening nutrition as a core component of physician education. The initiative is designed to address a critical gap in training, as many physicians report limited preparation in nutrition despite its central role in preventing and managing disease.
Participating institutions are encouraged to provide at least 40 hours of nutrition education, or an equivalent level of competency, across all four years of medical school beginning in fall 2026.
LMU-DCOM’s Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine program already emphasizes a comprehensive, patient-centered curriculum that integrates biological, clinical, behavioral, and social sciences. The program is designed to prepare physicians for primary care and focuses on prevention, diagnosis, and the treatment of disease through a holistic approach.
By aligning with this national initiative, LMU-DCOM is strengthening its commitment to prevention-focused care and reinforcing its mission to train physicians who can improve health outcomes in the communities they serve, particularly in rural and underserved areas.
Diet-related chronic diseases account for a significant share of deaths in the United States, underscoring the importance of equipping future physicians with practical nutrition knowledge and skills.
LMU-DCOM’s participation builds on its leadership in health professions education and its focus on real-world outcomes. Graduates are prepared to integrate nutrition into clinical practice, supporting healthier patients and stronger communities across the region and beyond.
For more information about LMU-DCOM’s nutrition education, visit https://www.lmunet.edu/debusk-college-of-osteopathic-medicine/do/academics/nutrition.
About LMU-DCOM
The DeBusk College of Osteopathic Medicine is located on the campus of Lincoln Memorial University in Harrogate, Tennessee, at LMU-Knoxville in Knoxville, Tennessee, and at LMU Orange Park in Orange Park, Florida. LMU-DCOM is an integral part of LMU’s values-based learning community and is dedicated to preparing the next generation of osteopathic physicians to provide health care in the often-underserved region of Appalachia and beyond. For more information about LMU-DCOM, call 1.800.325.0900, ext. 7082, email dcom@LMUnet.edu, or visit us online at http://med.LMUnet.edu.
