PROVIDENCE – Johnson & Wales University and Tulane University School of Medicine in New Orleans have announced a long-term collaboration to offer joint curriculum for doctors, medical students and chefs focused on the role that food choices play in preventing and managing obesity and associated diseases.

The initial program will be based at Tulane University. The goal is to establish programs at JWU’s Providence campus and then the school’s campuses in North Miami, Fla., Denver, and Charlotte, N.C. There are no dates set for opening programs at JWU.

Collaborative efforts will include joint faculty seminars for students, internships at Tulane for JWU’s culinary nutrition students, and healthy culinary classes for the New Orleans community.

“Elevating the overall role of nutrition, including the preparation of nutritious meals, is vital in disease management and prevention,” said Karl Guggenmos, university dean of culinary education at JWU.

Tulane University School of Medicine was established in 1864, making it the 15th-oldest medical school in the United States.

“Our goal is to change the way health practitioners think about food and the practice of medicine,” said Dr. Benjamin Sachs, senior vice president and dean of the medical school. •