[374] National magazine selects MTSU alumna as dietitian who ‘makes a difference’

MURFREESBORO — “Today’s Dietitian” magazine lists an MTSU alumna in its annual article on “10 Dietitians Who Are Making a Difference.”

Monique Richard, who graduated summa cum laude in 2010 with a degree in dietetics and a minor in psychology, was profiled in the March 2018 edition of the magazine. Richard, a Johnson City, Tennessee, native, is a nutritionist who has applied her expertise in various parts of the world.

“MTSU supported my passion and fueled my desire to learn and grow, helping shape me as an up-and-coming professional,” Richard said. “I am truly honored and unequivocally share this with my colleagues and those I have had the privilege to know and learn from throughout this journey.” 

“This is a fabulous honor, one that doesn’t surprise me because Monique was a leader amongst her peers while at MTSU and one of our top students,” said Lisa Sheehan-Smith, a nutrition and food science professor and a registered dietitian who mentored Richard.

Richard was the first dietitian to join doctors and nurses in missions to Haiti with the Aziz Foundation to teach nutrition. In Egypt, she taught nutrition to elementary school children. 

She has presented research in China, and in Israel she participated in the American Overseas Dietetic Association’s Regional Conference on the Mediterranean Diet.

“She is a very bright young lady who is very knowledgeable in integrative and functional nutrition,” said sports dietitian Tiffany Harrison, an MTSU lecturer in nutrition and food sciences program.

Ironically, Richard was inspired to become a dietitian because she has been diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes. As proof that diabetics can control their illness and live productive lives, she is an integrative dietitian nutritionist with State of Franklin Healthcare Associates in Johnson City. In addition, she owns her own private practice, Nutrition-in-Sight, and works as a yoga instructor.

This the ninth consecutive year that “Today’s Dietitian” has chosen 10 standout professionals nominated by its readers to commemorate National Registered Dietitian Month and Registered Dietitian Nutritionist Day, which was March 14. The article is accessible online at https://tinyurl.com/yaezh422.

For more information about MTSU’s Nutrition and Food Sciences program, contact Deborah Belcher, chair of the Department of Human Science, at 615-898-2302 or deborah.belcher@mtsu.edu.