Biography

Dr. Kolasa is Professor Emeritus, The Brody School of Medicine (Family Medicine and Pediatrics) and consultant Vidant Health, Greenville, NC. Dr. Kolasa earned her Ph.D. in Food Science from the University of Tennessee, Knoxville in 1974. Her Bachelor's Degree is from the Michigan State University in Home Economics with Communication Arts. She served on the Michigan State University faculty from 1974-1983. At East Carolina University she served as Chair of the Human Nutrition and Hospitality Management Department from 1983-86. In 1986, she joined the Department of Family Medicine and has held a joint appointment in the Department of Pediatrics since 2003. Since 2004 she has served as Consultant to Vidant Health (formerly University Health System of Eastern Carolina's Nutrition Initiative. She was awarded a Kellogg National Leadership Fellowship in 1986 #group 6# In 2008 she received the Centennial Award for Excellence-Service from East Carolina University. In 2013 she was named a Distinguished ECU Woman. She was named a Master Educator at The Brody School of Medicine at East Carolina University and also received the ECU Board of Governors Distinguished Professor for Teaching Award in 2002. In 2003 she received an appointment in the ECU Department of Pediatrics and began serving as a consultant to the Nutrition Initiative of the University Health Systems. In 2004, she was appointed to "FIT FAMILIES NC, A Study Committee for Childhood Overweight/Obesity". She provided leadership for the development and implementation of the Pitt County "Achieving Healthy Weight in Children Medical Nutrition Therapy Protocol #http://www.ecu.edu/pedsweightcenter#" that has been adopted by all pediatric practices throughout the country. Dr. Kolasa directed the Food Literacy Partners Program, a program that trains volunteers to provide nutrition education in the community setting including health fairs, schools, food stamp offices and free-clinics and shelters from 1998-2008. In 2001-2002 and again in 2012 she played a leadership role in the preparation of the North Carolina Blueprint for Changing Policies and Environments in Support of Healthy Eating #http://www.EatSmartMoveMoreNC.com#, the state's obesity plan. Dr. Kolasa has authored over 135 major publications, a textbook, 6 book chapters, many bulletins and training manuals and videotapes, and more than 170 major presentations. She has been writing a weekly nutrition column for the Daily Reflector, Greenville, NC, since 1986. Dr. Kolasa was President of the Society for Nutrition Education, 1984-85. In 1986 and 1996 she was named the Michigan State College of Human Ecology's Outstanding Alumni and in 1997, The University of Tennessee's. In 1995 she received the Career Achievement Award from the Society for Nutrition Education, and was recognized by the Society for Teachers of Family Medicine in 1999. In 2000 she was awarded the Dannon Institute Award for Excellence in Medical/Dental Nutrition Education, administered by the American Society for Clinical Nutrition. In 2010 she was recognized by North Carolina Prevention Partners for career achievement in prevention and she received the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics Medallion Award for service to the profession. She has served on the Institute of Medicine's Global Forum on Innovations in Health Professions Education. Dr. Kolasa is a Licensed Dietitian and a member of the Society for Nutrition Education, the American Society for Nutrition, and the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. She serves on many advisory committees including the Scientific Board of the American Council on Science and Health, the Children's Healthy Living Program a childhood obesity prevention program of the American Pacific and Women4Women, Pitt County. Dr. Kolasa lives in Greenville, North Carolina with her husband Patrick Kelly and enjoys travel, photography, scuba diving and snorkeling, and golf.