Congressman Vern Buchanan, Vice Chairman of the House Ways and Means Committee and Chairman of the Health Subcommittee, attended a Medical School Nutrition Education Celebration at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). The event was hosted by HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and Education Secretary Linda McMahon.
Buchanan addressed the importance of nutrition education in medical training. “As we work to combat the rising chronic disease epidemic, increased nutrition education is critically important for professionals working in the medical field,” said Buchanan. “We need to ensure medical practitioners have the knowledge and resources necessary to help patients lead longer, healthier lives. Improving nutrition education for doctors, students and families is one of the most important steps we can take to make America healthier.”
He also highlighted his role as chairman of the Ways and Means Health Subcommittee in advancing this issue in Congress. “As chairman of the Ways and Means Health Subcommittee, I have been proud to lead the conversation in Congress about the critical role nutrition plays in preventing chronic disease and improving long-term health. Just months ago, I led a bipartisan group of lawmakers in a letter urging the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education to strengthen nutrition training for future physicians. I’m grateful to Secretary Kennedy and Secretary McMahon for bringing together educators, physicians and policymakers to ensure tomorrow’s doctors are equipped with the knowledge they need to treat patients through prevention as well as medicine.”
The celebration recognized 53 medical schools that have pledged to enhance nutrition education as part of efforts against chronic diseases and improvements in preventive care. Among these were five Florida institutions: Florida State University, University of Florida, University of Central Florida, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, and University of South Florida.
Buchanan has consistently supported expanding nutrition instruction within medical programs during his tenure in Congress representing Florida’s 16th district since 2007; he previously served in the Florida House of Representatives. He was born in Detroit, Michigan in 1951 and currently resides in Sarasota. Buchanan graduated from Cleary University with a BA in 1975 before earning another degree from University of Detroit Mercy.
Last year, Buchanan worked with Rep. Jim McGovern (D-Mass.) on a bipartisan effort urging improved integration of nutrition education into graduate medical programs by writing to the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education.
