Dietetics and Nutrition

Joining the department in 2005, Dr. Griffith's job responsibilities include graduate program administration and the academic advisement of the Dietetics and Nutrition graduate students. She developed and teaches online courses in dietetics and nutrition: DN 862: Maternal and Child Nutrition, DN 838 Advanced Medical Nutrition Therapy, DN 840 Scientific Writing for the Nutritional Sciences and DN 875 Pediatric Clinical Nutrition. Additional responsibilities include mentoring students and serving on student graduate research committees for their thesis and non-thesis projects.

Dr. Griffith’s research interests focus on the use of current computer technology to improve dietary recall and online nutrition education.

She also conducted research as a participant of the USAID grant “Development of Appropriate Technology for New & Improved Weaning Foods & Detoxification of Peanuts” prior to joining the faculty at KUMC.

Academic Background
Following her completion of a Bachelor of Science in Food Technology in 1972 at Texas Tech University, Dr. Griffith completed a dietetic internship at University Hospital in Jacksonville, Fla., and in 1976 qualified for the credentials of Registered Dietitian. She returned to Texas Tech to obtain her MS in Foods & Nutrition in 1978. Professional Background
Dr. Griffith practiced for numerous years in the field of clinical dietetics as a nutrition support specialist prior to completing her PhD in Food Science at Alabama A&M University. She continues to maintain credentials as Certified Nutrition Support Dietitian and has been active in the American Dietetic Association at the state and national level.

In 2003 Dr. Griffith was named Alabama's Outstanding Dietitian. She has published peer-reviewed papers from her work in nutrition and cereal chemistry.

Research Focus
Dr. Griffith is exploring the use of informatics technology to improve dietary records for more accurate assessments of dietary intakes and to improve teaching methodologies. A goal of her work is to reduce complication rates and to improve outcomes in nutrition support (parenteral and enteral feeding) in both hospitalized and home care patients.