UCI Culinary Health Program

UCI Culinary Health logo on background of medicinal herbs and oils

As part of the UCI Human Resources Wellness Program, the UCI Susan Samueli Integrative Health Institute (SSIHI) partnered to launch the UCI Culinary Health FREE webinar series for all UCI employees and special guests.

Formerly known as Culinary Medicine, this new series is still based on the UCI School of Medicine Culinary Medicine curriculum. Each 50-minute workshop is led by a UCI Health SSIHI provider and includes a demonstration from UCI SSIHI Executive Chef Jessica VanRoo (formerly with Campus Recreation) on a relevant daily meal plan consisting of breakfast, lunch, and/or dinner dishes.

Upcoming Webinars

UCI Susan Samueli Integrative Health Institute Culinary Health: Understanding the Microbiome Series 

Dates: Sept. 2023-May 2024 

UCI Susan Samueli Integrative Health Institute Culinary Health – Understanding the Microbiome Series is a 50-minute workshop based on the UCI School of Medicine Culinary Medicine curriculum. Each class alternates with Chancellor’s Fellow and Associate Professor Katrine Whiteson, PhD, and UCI Health SSIHI Integrative and Herbal Medicine Practitioner Sanaz Demehry, PA-C, MS and includes a demonstration from UCI SSIHI Executive Chef Jessica VanRoo on a relevant meal. Sessions are recorded and recipes are available on the SSIHI website. 

Contact

Kamber Lamoureux: lamourek@hs.uci.edu

Past Webinars

Herbs That Support Our Digestion 

Presented by Sanaz Demehry, PA-C, MS, UCI Health SSIHI Integrative and Herbal Medicine Practitioner, and SSIHI Executive Chef Jessica VanRoo on April 19, 2024.


Fats and Keto Diet 

Presented by Katrine Whiteson, PhD, Chancellor’s Fellow and Associate Professor, and SSIHI Executive Chef Jessica VanRoo on March 15, 2024.


Herbs for Blood Sugar and Inflammation

Presented by Sanaz Demehry, PA-C, MS, UCI Health SSIHI Integrative and Herbal Medicine Practitioner, and SSIHI Executive Chef Jessica VanRoo on February 16, 2024.


Carbs and Blood Glucose

Presented by Katrine Whiteson, PhD, Chancellor’s Fellow and Associate Professor, and SSIHI Executive Chef Jessica VanRoo on January 12, 2024.


Herbs That Fortify the Immune System

Presented by Sanaz Demehry, PA-C, MS, UCI Health SSIHI Integrative and Herbal Medicine Practitioner, and SSIHI Executive Chef Jessica VanRoo on December 8, 2023.


Fiber and Immune Health

Presented by Katrine Whiteson, PhD, Chancellor’s Fellow and Associate Professor, and SSIHI Executive Chef Jessica VanRoo on November 17, 2023.


Herbs that Cultivate an Environment for the Microbiome

Presented by Sanaz Demehry, PA-C, MS, UCI Health SSIHI Integrative and Herbal Medicine Practitioner, and SSIHI Executive Chef Jessica VanRoo on October 6, 2023.


Human Microbiome Through the Lifespan

Presented by Katrine Whiteson, PhD, Chancellor’s Fellow and Associate Professor, and SSIHI Executive Chef Jessica VanRoo on September 8, 2023.


Acupoints to Improve Mental Focus

Presented by J. Matthew Brand, LAc, C.SMA, acupuncturist, and SSIHI Executive Chef Jessica VanRoo on July 21, 2023.


Diabetes and Diet

Presented by Michelle Luhan, MS, RD, CDN, dietitian and nutrition counseling, and SSIHI Executive Chef Jessica VanRoo on May 19, 2023.


Holistic Spring Cleaning

Presented by Theresa Nutt, MA, BSN, HNB-BC, NBC-HWC, director of Health and Wellness Coaching, and SSIHI Executive Chef Jessica VanRoo on April 21, 2023.


Food for Longevity

Presented by Ryan McNally, ND, MS, PA, SSIHI Naturopathic Doctor and Assistant Director of Integrative Health Education, and SSIHI Executive Chef Jessica VanRoo on March 17, 2023.


Herbs for Reflux Relief

Presented by Sanaz Demehry, MS, PA-SC, SSIHI Physician Assistant and Herbalist, and SSIHI Executive Chef Jessica VanRoo on Feb. 17, 2023.


Food Myths: What Do We Believe?

Presented by Miki Purnell, MD, ABoIM, ABFM, ABIHM, SSIHI Integrative Medicine, and SSIHI Executive Chef Jessica VanRoo on Jan. 20, 2023.


How Much Should I Exercise?
Presented by Judy Lee Vogt, MD, SSIHI Primary Care Concierge Physician and SSIHI Executive Chef Jessica VanRoo on Dec. 16, 2022.


What Is Culinary Medicine?
Presented by Shipra Bansal, MD, dABLM, SSIHI Lifestyle Medicine and SSIHI Executive Chef Jessica VanRoo on Nov. 18, 2023.


Previous classes formerly hosted by UCI Campus Recreation are here.