Attorney General Recognizes Professor for Hispanic Nutrition Research

Joanna Norris, Assistant Director

Department of Media Relations and Events

(904) 620-2102

As part of National Hispanic Heritage Month, Dr. Judith Rodriguez, a professor in the Department of Nutrition and Dietetics at the University of North Florida, was recognized by Attorney General Bill McCollum for her commitment to studying and understanding the nutritional needs of the Hispanic community.

“The Department of Nutrition & Dietetics is so very proud of Dr. Rodriguez for this well deserved recognition of her many years of dedication and ground breaking work in the area of health disparities, particularly Hispanic health,” said Dr. Catherine Christie, chair of the Department of Nutrition & Dietetics at UNF. “Dr. Rodriguez represents the best of our profession and inspires us all as a mentor, colleague and role model.”

For the past 30 years, Rodriguez, a Southside resident, has focused on food, culture and health disparities, especially as they relate to the Latino/Hispanic population. She has used her knowledge and research to provide better services to the community and her profession.

She has authored several books, including the “Latino Food Lover’s Glossary,” “The Diet Selector” and “Contemporary Nutrition for Latinos.” Rodriguez’s interests focus on health disparities, minority health issues, food and culture, the life cycle and nutrition education. She has worked as a consultant to various public relations firms and other companies on issues concerning the Latino consumer market.

Rodriguez is president-elect of the American Dietetic Association (ADA), the world’s largest organization of food and nutrition professionals. She will serve for a three-year term as president-elect, president and past president of the ADA, which has more than 70,000 members.

She is also a member of Latinos and Hispanics in Dietetics and Nutrition. She has received numerous awards, including the 2008 Jacksonville Women of Color Cultural Foundation Award, the 2003 Hispanics Achieving Community Excellence/Education Award, the 2001 Florida Distinguished Dietician award.

Rodriguez received a Ph.D. from the Department of Anthropology at Rutger’s University in 1988. She also earned a master’s and bachelor’s degree in Nutrition from New York University as well as completed an internship in dietetics from Beth Israel Hospital in Boston.

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