From Clinic to Kitchen: Leadership Lessons in Culinary Medicine with Dr. Jaclyn Albin

What if the prescription for better health starts in the kitchen? In this episode of Learning from Leaders, we sit down with Jaclyn Albin, M.D., Associate Professor at UT Southwestern Medical Center and founder of its pioneering Culinary Medicine program. A nationally recognized leader in food as medicine, Dr. Albin blends nutrition, education, and clinical care to show how what we eat plays a critical role in prevention and healing.

She shares her personal journey that sparked a passion for integrating food into medical training, from leading classes in UT Southwestern’s teaching kitchens to building one of the nation’s first culinary medicine clinical programs at the UT Southwestern RedBird campus. Along the way, Dr. Albin reflects on leadership lessons she has also learned, like the power of authenticity, persistence in driving change, and meeting people where they are. This conversation highlights how food, community, and innovation can reshape the future of health.

Chapters:

00:00 – Open 00:30 – Welcome & Introduction 01:36 – Early Inspiration for Medicine 02:30 – Food and Medicine Become Personal 04:12 – Returning to Dallas & Building Med-Peds 06:30 – Bringing Students into the Kitchen 08:30 – How to Talk About Food with Patients 11:34 – Leading the Charge in Culinary Medicine 12:15 – Early Challenges and Lessons Learned 14:31 – Yes-And: Integrating Food and Medicine 15:46 – Shared Medical Appointments at RedBird 18:11 – Partnerships with Food Banks & Churches 21:02 – Scaling the Culinary Medicine Model 24:16 – Vision for the Future of the Program 26:04 – How the Community Can Support 29:11 – Leadership Lessons & Authenticity 31:13 – Mentors Who Shaped Her Journey 34:55 – Rapid Fire: Food, Family & Favorites 40:19 – Favorite Restaurant & Closing

 

Episode Details:

Episode 8, Season 2

Host: Lili Clark | Vice Chair, The Cary Council; Senior Associate, LH Capital, Inc. / Lyda Hill Philanthropies

Guest: Jaclyn Albin, M.D. | Associate Professor of Internal Medicine, Pediatric, and Public Health in the UT Southwestern School of Medicine and O'Donnell School of Public Health. Producer: Dustin Magwire | Digital Media Senior Manager, Southwestern Medical Foundation

Videography: Brazos Film & Video - www.brazosfilms.com

Disclaimer:

The Southwestern Medical Foundation Podcast is intended solely for educational purposes.  Nothing contained therein constitutes, nor should be interpreted as medical, healthcare, financial or legal advice. 

Southwestern Medical Foundation strives for accuracy in its publications, including the Podcast.  However, due to the nature of the topics discussed, there frequently is not a clear-cut “right answer.”  Consequently, Southwestern Medical Foundation cannot guarantee the accuracy or sufficiency of any information presented.

The views of the hosts and guests are their own and do not necessarily represent the views or opinions of their employers or affiliated organizations, nor Southwestern Medical Foundation, the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center or the University of Texas System.  The inclusion of any guest or mention of any product or service does not constitute an endorsement thereof, nor of any company, employer, or organization with which the guest, product, or service is affiliated.