Pat Smith

Dr. Smith is a graduate of Bethlehem Teachers Training College in Jamaica West Indies. She holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Home Economics Education and a Master of Science degree in Food Science and Nutrition from the University of Wisconsin-Stout, an MBA degree in Health Care Administration from Herzing University and she has earned her Doctoral Degree from Nova Southeastern University in Florida, USA.

She is a Registered and Licensed Dietitian/Nutritionist who has over thirty years of experience in the areas of food and nutrition. Dr. Smith has a wealth of food and nutrition experiences as she has worked in several primary care, long-term care as well as acute hospital settings. She is also an Educator and has taught several nutrition and health related courses at the primary, community, secondary and college levels. Dr. Smith’s work experiences include: worked at Walt Disney World in Orlando, Florida as a Food and Beverage Supervisor, Worked at Orange County Public Schools as a Foodservice Administrator, Adjunct Professor: taught Nutrition with Diet Therapy at Valencia College, Seminole State College and Adventist College of Health Sciences, worked at Herzing University in Winter Park, Florida as the Program Director of the B.Sc. Dietetics & Nutrition Program, worked at Keiser University as professor of Nutrition and Dietetics as well as Clinical Coordinator for the Dietetics Program. Dr. Smith is the president of her own Company-Healthy Living Nutrition Services where she offers food & nutrition counselling, food sanitation training and other health related counselling/training to many individual clients and Community Organizations

Some of her community involvement activities and other accomplishments are listed below:

Professional Organizations:

• Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics: Registered Dietitian
• American Association of Family and Consumer Sciences: Active member
• Florida Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics: Active member
• Orlando Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics: Past President, active member.
• American School Food Service Association: Active member.
• American Diabetes Association- member 
  

Community Volunteer Activities:

• -President: Jamaican American Association of Central Florida-Diaspora (Jan.2015-Dec.2019).
• -Community Liaison: ALPHI Head Start Policy Council –Port St. Lucie, FL (2017-2018):
• –Presenter: State of Florida School Food Service Association annual conference. Topic: Childhood Obesity
• - Attended state legislative sessions in Tallahassee, FL to lobby Nutrition and Dietetics related issues
• –Presenter: “Oxford Round Table” Lincoln College, University of Oxford, United Kingdom. Topic: Grains
• -Authored management related article which has been published in International Professional Journal.
• -Volunteered in several local community activities. Evans High School: Vice President- PTSA (2011-2014)
• –Evans High School, Orlando, FL. President –School Advisory Council–SAC (2012-2014)

Awards

• June 2012: Today’s Dietitian Magazine, Listed and honored as “one of the top-10 dietitians” who makes a difference for clients and the community regarding nutrition and health. (June 2012 issue; pages 30-31)
• July 2012: Florida Dietetics Association: Public Service Award for Nutrition and Dietetics
• 1999: East Central Dietetic Association: Honored with Chapter President’s Plaque
• 1985: University of Wisconsin -Community Service Award from Student Government.
• 1984: University of Wisconsin-Stout. Chancellor’s Award for Academic Excellence
• 2006: Florida Dietetic Association: Lavina Phillips Award for Professional Growth
• Interests: Sports, drama, traveling, arts and craft, music, reading, cooking, photography and community involvement.
• Her life’s motto is “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens–”, and “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not to your own understanding, in all your ways acknowledge Him and He shall direct your path.
• Her professional motto is “Good Nutrition is the Key to Better Health”