Influential Woman · Nutrition and Public Health

Kimberly Davis

Associate Deputy Director, Morehouse School of Medicine

Atlanta, GA

Certifications · Degrees · Memberships

Degree Undergraduate degree in Nutrition and Hospitality Management Degree Master's of Science in Nutrition Degree PhD in Human Sciences with research training focused on public health Degree Obesity and community-centered health interventions Member American Association for Cancer Research (10 years) Member American Public Health Association (3 years) Member Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics (over 15 years) Member American Society for Nutrition Member Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Member Junior League of Atlanta

Her Story

About Kimberly

I have been working in nutrition and public health for more than 15 years, with my experience spanning from academic to community-engaged research and now to healthcare program leadership. My background is in nutrition and public health, but my work really intersects between Nutrition Science, Public Health, and community-engaged Research. Throughout my career, I have not only focused on advancing research, but I also wanted to make sure that my work translated to real-world things, like making sure that communities are being served, specifically underserved populations. I have worked in different sectors - academia, healthcare - and building those strong collaborative partnerships has allowed me to lead large-scale initiatives and also secure funding and develop programs that are both evidence-based and also culturally responsible. One of the biggest challenges in nutrition is just addressing health outcomes and ensuring that health information and resources are accessible to all communities. A lot of populations and communities face barriers related to food access and healthcare access and chronic disease prevention, so making sure that you create sustainable health improvement is complex but important work.

Her Interview

Ten minutes with Kimberly

01What do you attribute your success to?

I would have to say it's a combination of things. Throughout my career, I not only focused on advancing research, but I also wanted to make sure that my work translated to real-world things, like making sure that communities are being served, specifically underserved populations. I think that contributed to my success. I've also worked in different sectors - academia, healthcare - and building those strong collaborative partnerships has allowed me to lead large-scale initiatives. It's also helped me to lead those initiatives, but also secure funding and develop programs that are both evidence-based and also culturally responsible.

02What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?

I guess it would be never to underestimate the value of consistency and perseverance. Success rarely happens overnight. I would just encourage young people to remain curious and open to opportunities that may not look exactly like their original plan.

03What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?

I guess one of the biggest challenges in nutrition is just addressing health outcomes and ensuring that health information and resources are accessible to all communities. With nutrition, a lot of populations and communities face barriers related to food access and healthcare access and chronic disease prevention, so just making sure that you create sustainable health improvement is complex.

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