Jackie Berning, department chair and professor of health sciences in the Helen and Arthur E. Johnson Beth-El College of Nursing and Health Sciences, was awarded the 2020 Medallion Award, recognizing her lifetime of contributions to the nutrition and dietetics profession and the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics.
From the Denver Broncos to the Cleveland Indians to college sports and Olympians, Berning has provided nutrition education to top athletes and boasts a successful career as a professional and educator. She has held multiple leadership positions at the local state and national levels and provided long-term service to the Academy, scientific and volunteer organizations. As an educator at UCCS, she has worked in the training and education of dietetic interns, and food and nutrition students.
Berning’s achieved many firsts for sports nutritionists:
- One of the first sports registered dietitians employed by a National Football League team in 1984 and a Major League Baseball team in 1995.
- Edited and published the first book on sports nutrition in 1991 with co-editor, Suzanne Nelson Steen, entitled “Sports Nutrition for the 90’s” with Aspen Publisher.”
“I am honored and humbled, and I know that these awards don’t happen without support from many,” Berning said. “I appreciate the support and leadership of the college and I am looking forward to bringing all of our plans to fruition in the new William J. Hybl Sports Medicine and Performance Center.”
Currently, Berning is instructing courses at the college and part of the team leading the opening of the Hybl Center, a project driven forward by a partnership between UCCS and Centura Health. The collaboration brings together a unique and unparalleled combination of clinical practice, undergraduate and graduate education, combined with clinical, faculty and student research. The state-of-the-art facility is designed to promote a multi-disciplinary and highly collaborative approach driven by teamwork and a passion for translating research into real-world solutions.
“Dr. Berning has been instrumental in the development of the Hybl Center,” said Kevin Lauder, dean of Johnson Beth-El. “With her knowledge and experience, she is helping us to create a truly unique experience for students, faculty and patients.”
The 2020 Medallion Awards will be presented on Sunday, Oct. 18, at the 2020 Food & Nutrition Conference & Expo.