Mercy Alumna Publishes Article Highlighting Culinary Medicine Program

Michelle Daigle, R.N., M.S.N. ’23 published an article in the July 2023 edition of “ANA – New York Nurse,” a monthly newsletter published by the New York Chapter of the American Nurses Association that reaches over 72,000 nurses and schools of nursing. The article, entitled “Decreasing Hypertension Using a Culinary Medicine Program: A Project Improvement Plan,” lays out a six-week program to educate health care providers on using healthy lifestyle modifications in order to both support cardiology patients at risk of hypertension and improve their own health as well.  

“I love the Hippocrates quote that says, ‘Let food be thy medicine and medicine be thy food,’” Daigle said. “It’s true that you are what you eat, which is why I’m so passionate about healthy eating.” In addition to being a registered nurse, she is an integrative nutrition health coach. 

The article developed out of a project that Meredith King Jensen, lecturer in nursing, assigned in a School of Nursing course. Recognizing the promise of Daigle’s work, King Jensen encouraged her to continue refining the project write-up for publication. “Professor King Jensen was my editor, my sounding board, and my supporter throughout the writing process,” Daigle said. 

Daigle first learned the power of healthy eating in her own life: “Over 10 years ago, I’d put on some weight and was in chronic pain, so I knew I had to make a change. I decided to do a month-long healthy eating challenge. By the end of the month, I’d lost 10 pounds, and I was pain-free. I knew I wanted to help others make the same changes in their lives.” 

Later, while working as a cardiac rehabilitation nurse, Daigle educated patients on healthy lifestyle modifications. She used the hospital’s teaching kitchen to teach patients how to cook and eat well. This experience provided the foundation for her article. 

Daigle earned her master’s degree in nursing administration in May. She now works in business development for a hospice agency in New York City.