Professional Groups
East Tennessee is home to a wide variety of professional groups promoting better health through good nutrition. These groups conduct meetings, share ideas, and act as information clearinghouses to keep our communities informed about the latest nutrition and health information.
East Tennessee Breastfeeding Coalition
Eating Disorders Coalition of Tennessee (EDCT)
Healthy Eating and Activity Lab (HEAL)
Infant, Child and Nutrition Lab (ICAN)
Knoxville Area Clinical Nutrition Managers Association
Knoxville Area Oncology Dietitians
Knoxville Committee on Renal Nutrition
Health professionals, community members and agency representatives work together to promote, preserve, and protect breastfeeding in the East Tennessee community. Meets six times per year. Contact the Knox County Health Department at 215-5052. Back to top
The Eating Disorders Coalition of Tennessee (EDCT) is a coalition of both professionals and community members dedicated to educating, empowering, and supporting those affected by disordered eating. Since 2002 the organization has been educating people across the state about the impact of eating disorders on the lives of individuals and their families. The EDCT continually serves as a resource for Tennesseans seeking assistance and support. For more information go to: www.edct.net. Click on “Across the state” to find Knox Area. Back to top

The Healthy Eating and Activity Laboratory (HEAL) is under the direction of Dr. Hollie Raynor at the University of Tennessee at Knoxville. HEAL conducts research on factors, predominantly dietary, that impact on eating regulation and energy balance that can be used to improve behavioral obesity prevention and treatment programs for children and adults. If you are interested in learning more about HEAL and the research opportunities it offers, visit our website at http://heal.utk.edu/. Back to top
The Infant, Child and Adolescent Nutrition (ICAN) Lab at the University of Tennessee at Knoxville conducts nutrition research with pregnant women, mothers and fathers, and children from infancy through adolescence. Dr Katie Kavanagh and Dr. Marsha Spence are Co-Directors of the research lab. If you are interested in learning more about the ICAN Lab and its research, please visit our website: http://web.utk.edu/~ican/ and Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/UTICANLab. Back to top
Members share information on a variety of subjects that pertain to the management of clinical dietetics, including professional issues, reimbursement, productivity, Joint Commission and state standards, and health care reform. Meets monthly. Contact Virginia Turner of UT Medical Center at (865) 305-9127 or vturner@utmck.edu. Back to top
An informal group of dietitians working in the field of oncology dietetics, we meet quarterly to network and discuss current topics and job issues. For more information or to get involved, contact Anna Gewecke at (865) 305-8099 or agewecke@utmck.edu. Back to top
This group of KDDA dietitians promotes education of professionals and the public through development and publication of chronic kidney disease materials as well as sponsoring of workshops. Contact Rebecca Spurgeon at 865-983-2212 or email at rebecca.spurgeon@dciinc.org. Back to top
Discussion on current nutrition topics, usually from American Dietetic Association journal articles. Minimal charge, 2 CEUs provided. Meetings are usually the fourth Wednesday of the month. Contact Marge Reynolds, PhD, RD (retired) at (865) 588-0085. Back to top