Kara J Cucinotta (she/her)
Professor College of Health & Wellness Department of Nutrition & Dietetics Providence
Biography
A graduate of Boston University, Johnson & Wales University and Maryland University of Integrative Health, Kara Cucinotta, D.C.N., M.S., RDN, LDN, CNSC, has practiced dietetics since 2009, working with adult and pediatric patients and clients in inpatient hospitals, outpatient clinics, and a private practice for nutrition counseling. She has expertise in nutrition support, pediatric nutrition, integrative health and lifestyle medicine.
Since joining Johnson & Wales as an instructor in 2013, Cucinotta has encouraged an actively engaged classroom, utilizing a variety of teaching methods and real-life examples. Students can expect to learn and develop skills through interactive demonstrations, hands-on practice, and interprofessional collaboration opportunities.
Education
DCN (Doctor of Clinical Nutrition), Maryland University of Integrative Health
Nutrition and Integrative Health
MS, Boston University
Nutrition
BS, Johnson & Wales University
Culinary Nutrition
AS (Associate of Science), Johnson & Wales University
Culinary Arts
Certified Nutrition Support Clinician (CNSC)
National Board of Nutrition Support Certification
CITI Certification
Collaborative Institutional Training Initiative (CITI Program)
CITI Certification
Collaborative Institutional Training Initiative (CITI Program)
Food Safety Manager Certification (FSM)
American National Accreditation Board (ANAB)-Conference for Food Protection
CITI Certification
Collaborative Institutional Training Initiative (CITI Program)
Licensed Dietitian/Nutritionist (LDN)
RI Department of Health
Registered Dietitian (RD or RDN)
Commission on Dietetic Registration
CITI Certification
Collaborative Institutional Training Initiative
CITI Certification
Collaborative Institutional Training Initiative
CITI Certification
Collaborative Institutional Training Initiative
CITI Certification
Collaborative Institutional Training Initiative
CITI Certification
Collaborative Institutional Training Initiative
CITI Certification
Collaborative Institutional Training Initiative
RI Outstanding Dietetics Educator (2026)
RI Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics
Outstanding Dietitian of the Year (2023)
RI Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics
Student Research Poster Award, MUIH Research Symposium
Maryland University of Integrative Health
Faculty of the Year, College of Health & Wellness
Johnson & Wales University
“How to live healthier: Week 1 of our National Nutrition Month series.” Cucinotta, K. (March 6, 2025)
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/how-to-live-healthier-week-1-of-our-national/id1647838218?i=1000698077750
“A Recipe for Health.” Cucinotta, K. (October 24, 2023)
https://www.jwu.edu/news/stories/magazine/2023/fall/a-recipe-for-health/index.html
“Food as Medicine: How Our Diet Impacts Health (Season 3, No. 3).” Cucinotta, K. (March 30, 2023)
https://www.buzzsprout.com/1407220/12549302
“Marching into National Nutrition Month with Food as Medicine.” Cucinotta, K. (March 2, 2023)
https://thisweekatjwu.podbean.com/e/marching-into-national-nutrition-month-with-food-as-medicine/
“Food waste: Turning trash into dinner..” Cucinotta, K. (September, 2019)
“Healthy eats grocery list..” Cucinotta, K. (August 29, 2016)
Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics
Rhode Island Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics
American Society for Parenteral and Enteral Nutrition
Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics
Rhode Island Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics
American Society for Parenteral and Enteral Nutrition
Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics
Rhode Island Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics
American Society for Parenteral and Enteral Nutrition
Rhode Island Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics
Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics
American Society for Parenteral and Enteral Nutrition
Rhode Island Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics
Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics
American Society for Parenteral and Enteral Nutrition
Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics
American Society for Parenteral and Enteral Nutrition
Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics
American Society for Parenteral and Enteral Nutrition
Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics
American Society for Parenteral and Enteral Nutrition
Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics
American Society for Parenteral and Enteral Nutrition
JWU University Scholarship & Best Practices Expo, “Interprofessional Education Opportunities to Meet Dietetics Core Knowledge Requirements,” Johnson & Wales University, Providence, RI, United States. (April 13, 2023).
2023 Nutrition and Dietetics Educators and Preceptors (NDEP) Conference, “2022 Standards Implementation Through Interprofessional Education Opportunities,” Nutrition and Dietetics Educators and Preceptors (professional practice group of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics), Omaha, NE, United States. (March 30, 2023).
Maryland University of Integrative Health 2021 Research Symposium, “Impact of a Medical Home Dietitian on Health Outcomes in Adults with Diabetes: Retrospective Cohort Study Design,” Maryland University of Integrative Health, Laurel, MD, United States. (April 9, 2021).
JWU Connects Alumni Presentation, “Keeping Your Immune System Healthy,” Johnson & Wales University, Providence, RI, United States. (February 17, 2021).
Maryland University of Integrative Health 2019 Research Symposium, “A dietary and botanical approach to the treatment of SIBO: A case report,” Maryland University of Integrative Health, Laurel, MD, United States. (April 5, 2019).
Expertise
reproductive health and nutrition; childhood weight management; eating disorders; nutritional considerations in cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and gastrointestinal health; dietetics; medical nutrition therapy, integrative and functional nutrition