Hi, my name is Avery Gipson! I am a proud lifetime Memphian from Arlington, Tenn., and a December 2023 graduate of the DPD program at the University of Memphis.

I am currently pursuing my master’s degree here and am grateful for the opportunity to continue learning from our esteemed faculty and staff.

My interest in nutrition began during the COVID-19 pandemic after graduating high school, driven by personal challenges with disordered eating.

This experience led me to explore the shocking impact of diet culture and motivated me to help others, particularly women, understand the importance of proper nutrition and fueling their bodies.

My professional interests now span women’s health, pediatrics, family health, neonatology and functional nutrition.

In my free time, I enjoy serving on the worship team at my church, spending time drinking coffee or matcha with friends at my favorite coffee shop, The Hub, listening to music (especially Taylor Swift), playing with my mini golden doodle, Ollie and watching movies (especially a good, comfort movie).

The most important thing about me is my love for the Lord, and I seek to bring Him glory in everything I do; He is my greatest delight and why I do what I do. 

 

Hi all! My name is Tracey Grumbach-Oliveira. I graduated with the Spring 2024 class from the University of Memphis DPD program and am so excited to be a graduate student in Clinical Nutrition.

I grew up in beautiful Southwest Florida and have lived in small towns, booming metropolises and even the occasional new country.

I'm a lover of history, an avid baseball fan and—at least in my mind—a burgeoning horticulturalist. My 'happy place' combines family, friends, good food (the spicier, the better), conversation and lots of laughter.

I get a kick out of traveling, especially when something unexpected happens because a memorable story waits on the other side.

There is growing awareness of nutrition's role in health and prevention. Public interest, demand and technology are driving innovation and interdisciplinary collaboration.

Nutrition professionals are increasingly involved in advocacy and policy-making in a way that will drive systemic and meaningful change.

There is unlimited potential to fill in the substantial gaps in women's health, particularly in the area of menopausal care. This is where I see myself focusing as a future RDN. What an exciting time to enter the field! 

 

Hi there! I’m Sandrell Nicole Hill, a proud Memphis girl through and through.

I recently graduated from the University of Memphis DPD program, and I’m super excited to continue my journey here by completing my dietetic internship and master’s degree alongside the amazing friends I made during my undergrad years.

My passion for nutrition and wellness has always been strong. Like many, I initially aimed for a nursing career, but after some time, I realized it wasn’t the right fit for me.

After falling ill, I took a break from school to focus on my health, making significant lifestyle changes with a big emphasis on nutrition.

Experiencing firsthand the healing power of good nutrition was a game-changer for me. That’s when I knew I had found my true calling in dietetics, and I’ve been loving every moment since returning to school.

I’m really looking forward to everything the University of Memphis’s Clinical Nutrition MS/DI program has in store.

I’m especially excited about my graduate assistant position at Methodist Le Bonheur as a Diet Tech. I can’t wait to dive into all the upcoming rotations and learn as much as I can.

When I’m not busy with schoolwork, I love relaxing by spending time with my hubby, getting lost in video games, reading a good non-fiction book, and creating things like books and videos.

 

Hi! My name is Eva Langford. I am a Memphis native who recently graduated summa cum laude with Honors from the University of Memphis with my Bachelor of Science in Health Studies with a concentration in Dietetics and a minor in Social Media Marketing.

I am so excited to continue my education at the UofM through the Clinical Nutrition master’s program.

My heart behind wanting to become a registered dietitian stems from constantly seeing how nutrition and fitness affects every person every day.

I want to use my skills of encouraging, empowering and educating to equip other people to live a more energized, joyful life through the use of proper nutrition, intentional exercise and meditation.

I have an interest in women’s health, education, community nutrition, wellness and private practice. However, I am open to all opportunities!

In my free time I enjoy teaching yoga, being outdoors, playing golf, basketball, tennis, pickleball, etc., being involved at my church, and spending time with my loved ones.  

Hello! My name is Haley May and I am both honored and thrilled to be a part of the University of Memphis MS/DI program.

I grew up local to Memphis in Hernando, Mississippi. I am very thankful to be continuing my education near home. 

I received my bachelor’s degree from Mississippi State University. While at MSU, I learned a lot about the field of nutrition and dietetics. I cannot wait to further explore my interests in fields such as lactation, pediatric nutrition and neonatal nutrition.

Neonatal nutrition is definitely mybiggest passion; however, I look forward to learning about all aspects of dietetics. 

Through the University of Memphis, I was blessed with a position as a graduate assistant at St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital

It is an honor to be a part of and learn from the Clinical Nutrition team. I am excited to use this opportunity to grow and prepare myself for my future in dietetics.

 

Hello, My name is Maddie McGee and I am entering my MS/DI at the University of Memphis. I completed my DPD at the University of Memphis as well in May of 2024.

I am from Memphis and have never left. Memphis and the University of Memphis have been the best home and best place to complete my degrees.

Getting into the field of Dietetics just sort of happened, I was unsure of what I wanted to do with my life and future career and Dietetics seemed interesting to me.

Little did I know, it would be the best decision of my life and was truly my calling in life. I have learned so much in this field and I have even been able to take advantage of some amazing opportunities.

I spent around a year and a half interning with the University of Memphis Football Team as a nutrition intern. I learned so much during this experience, and now I am working for Olympic Sports nutrition here at the University of Memphis.

Without the University of Memphis I would not have been able to have these wonderful opportunities and I am looking forward to what is next on this journey.

My name is Payal Patel, and I am from the Memphis metro area! I am really excited to be a part of the MS/DI program at the University of Memphis.

I completed my undergraduate program here, receiving my BS in nutrition and dietetics. I am currently a graduate assistant at St. Jude Children's Research Hospital.

I have always been interested in nutrition from a young age, but I quickly grew a passion for it while I was completing my undergrad. I am really intrigued by the way what we eat can affect our mental health!

Outside of school, I really enjoy traveling. I try to visit new places as much as I can throughout the year. I also  enjoy spending time with my friends, family and my dog! 

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Hello! My name is Andrea Simmons. I am originally from Utah, but I met and married a Memphis man and I have never looked back.

I now have four kids that range in age from 5-15 and when I’m not in the Wellness Center working at my assistantship or in class, I spend most of my time preparing homeschool lessons for my kids. I also enjoy working with local non-profit organizations by doing cooking classes and nutrition lessons. 

I originally studied education, but after spending hours and hours researching how to help myself and the people I care about navigate various health challenges, I decided to return to school and make it my job to help people facing similar situations.

I am passionate about functional nutrition, and specifically I am interested in how it can help manage digestive issues and food intolerances or allergies. In my future career, I hope to offer services to those who may not otherwise have access to nutrition counseling. 

When I finish school, I look forward to playing more of my collection of board games, catching up on the pile of books on my dresser and adding new stamps to my passport. In the meantime, you’ll find me taking every chance I can to snuggle my littles and cheer on my bigs at soccer games. 

I’m thrilled to be here at the University of Memphis. I feel like I have found my people, and I am excited to learn all that I can.

 

Hi! My name is Cassy Tigner and I am from Hernando, Mississippi. I completed my undergraduate degree at Mississippi State University.

Currently, I am a graduate assistant at St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. The University of Memphis has so many wonderful opportunities and I could not imagine going anywhere else to complete my master’s degree and dietetic internship.

I have always had a love for nutrition. However, my interest really began to grow as I saw family members struggle with chronic diseases and malnutrition. I knew I wanted to help make a difference in their lives any way possible.

Throughout my college career, my interest has continued to grow, and I have loved developing a stronger understanding of nutrition and the human body.

Outside of school I enjoy cooking, trying new foods, going on walks and spending time with my friends and family. I am also a big supporter of the MSU bulldogs and the Memphis Tigers!

Hi, my name is Colleen Touchstone! I was born and raised in Memphis, Tenn. I recently just graduated from the University of Memphis DPD program in May 2024. I could not be more excited to start my MSDI program here at the University of Memphis as well. 

Growing up I knew I wanted to be in the medical field. My grandma is an RN, my mom is an RN and my sister most recently became an RN. You could say being in the medical field runs in my family.

However, I am unable to do blood and things of that nature. I decided I wanted to find something else in the medical field where I could be happy.

I came across a RD who visited my high school for career day and ever since then I have wanted to pursue a profession in nutrition. I grew to love anything and everything nutrition.

I am interested in assisting others live healthful lifestyles to reach their goals and see positive changes. I want to be the helping hand to those who need help, advice or even just someone to talk to about their diet and lifestyle.

When I am not in school, I am most likely working out! One of my absolute favorite things to do is run. As you can imagine, nutrition goes hand in hand with running or any type of workout.

The proper fuel for running is something I have taught myself but also still learning a lot about. I have completed five half marathons and my next goal is to run a full marathon before I graduate from the MSDI program!

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Hello, my name is Kathy Tran! I was born and raised in Memphis, Tenn., and I completed my Bachelor of Science in Dietetics and am eager to further my studies.

I am thrilled to continue my education as a student in the MS/DI program at the University of Memphis. While supporting myself through school, I gained valuable experience in the fast-paced food industry, where I learned the critical importance of food safety, particularly for customers with allergies.

I have a deep passion for nutrition and overall health. My academic journey began in 2019 when I initially pursued nursing.

However, during the COVID-19 pandemic, I reevaluated my goals and discovered a profound interest in nutrition. This shift was influenced by personal experiences and the health challenges faced by my family and friends.

Growing up around worrisome eating habits, misinformation about nutrition and mental health issues related to body image, I became determined to pursue dietetics to promote healthier lifestyles.

After graduation, I hope to one day open a private practice or start a catering business, where I can inspire patients from diverse backgrounds to seek help through a holistic approach, improving their quality of life through work in clinical settings.

In my free time, I enjoy getting involved with my community by volunteering at food drives, playing video games with friends and staying active through rock climbing.

 

Hello! My name is Jamie Walterman and I’m super excited to be a part of the Clinical Nutrition MS/DI program at the University of Memphis. I am originally from Southern California but have always wanted to experience my life elsewhere, which influenced me to make the decision to take the leap and move halfway across the country. I can’t wait to familiarize myself with Memphis, as well as its dietetic community!

I completed my bachelor’s degree and DPD courses at California State University, San Bernardino. I’ve always wanted to jump headfirst into health care and believed I wanted to become a registered nurse.

However, after the first two years contemplating my undergrad studies, I discovered it wasn’t a match and was offered an opportunity to major in nutrition. Once I took a semester's worth of classes, dietetics became my passion and knew it was going to be my future.

While I was in my undergrad, I worked as a diet clerk at a long-term care facility and absolutely loved it. I’m grateful for that experience because it gave me a new perspective of the dietetic field.

Working with older adults holds a special place in my heart and it motivated me to get a certificate in gerontology on top of my degree. I’ve always been interested in how metabolism changes as we grow older and the nutrition interventions that should take place to maintain optimal health.

However, I am very open minded to working with all types of specialties in the realm of dietetics. I can’t wait to dive into rotations next summer so that I can expand my knowledge!

When I’m not focused on my studies, I’m enjoying time with loved ones, reading a book or cooking up new recipes.