Inflammation and Immunity in the Acutely Ill Hospitalized Patient: Exploring Implications for Specialized Nutrition Approaches

Dr Kelly Tappenden is Dean and Professor of the College of Health at the University of Utah. She received her Ph.D. in Nutrition and Metabolism at the University of Alberta, underwent post-doctoral training at the University of Texas Medical School in Houston, and from Assistant through Endowed Professor at the University of Illinois Urbana before serving as Professor and Head of the Department of Kinesiology and Nutrition at the University of Illinois at Chicago. Dr Tappenden’s research program focuses on intestinal failure, mechanisms regulating epithelial function, and patient malnutrition.

For these contributions, she has received multiple awards, published over 100 peer-reviewed papers, and delivered over 500 invited lectures. Dr Tappenden served as the 33rd President of the American Society for Parenteral and Enteral Nutrition in 2008-09, Chair of the Nutrition, Metabolism and Obesity section of the American Gastroenterology Association Institute from 2009-13, represented the American Society for Nutrition on the Federation of American Societies for Experimental Biology Board of Directors from 2017-2022, and Editor-in-Chief of the Journal for Parenteral and Enteral Nutrition from 2010-2022.

Currently, Dr Tappenden serves as President of the Board of Trustees of the Oley Foundation, an advocacy group striving to enrich the lives of those living with home intravenous nutrition and tube feeding through education, advocacy, and networking.