Sharon Gallagher

Professor of Practice and Assistant Director of the Dietetic Internship Program

Sharon Gallagher has more than 35 years of clinical experience as a registered dietitian and over 30 years as a college professor. As a practitioner, she has worked in various settings, including community health centers, teaching hospitals, food service operations, and home health. Besides her position at Simmons, she also works in private practice and consults for a visiting nurse agency. She enjoys being able to continue working in the field as it lets her share her professional experience with her students. At the same time, she is constantly learning about best practices from her Simmons colleagues and students that she can apply to her current practices.

 

Education

  • MEd, Nutrition Education, from Framingham State College
  • BS, Clinical Nutrition, from Cornell University

License/Certifications

  • Licensed Dietitian/Nutritionist (LDN)
  • Certificate of Training in Obesity Interventions for Adults (2019)

Area of Expertise

  • Dietetics Education
  • Weight Management
  • Diabetes Management
  • Counseling and Education
  • Home Health

Courses

  • Fundamentals of Nutrition Science
  • Introduction to Nutrition Science
  • Advanced Applications in Community Nutrition
  • Dietetic Internship

Community Engagement

  • Personnel Chair for faith based organization

Publications/Presentations

Nelson, P., Collin, C., Gushwa, M., Gallagher, S., Rissmiller, P., Hartmann, K. (2022, November) It Takes a Village: Examining a Collaborative Methodology to Promote Interprofessional Education for Graduate Students. 2022 ASHA Convention.

Janvier, N., Gallagher, S. (2021, October) “A survey to determine the acceptability of an interactive recipe to increase children’s exposure and acceptance to healthy foods.” Abstract/poster accepted for the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics Food and Nutrition Conference and Expo.

Poccia, S., Gallagher, S. (2021, August) “Health360 Policies: Lessons for healthy habits to reduce childhood obesity risk.” Abstract/poster accepted for the Society for Nutrition Education and Behavior Conference.

Huntley, C., Gallagher, S., and Stone, R. (2020, March) Nutrition Intervention to Make the Healthy Choice the Easy Choice at the Open Door in Gloucester. Poster accepted by the MA Annual Nutrition Conference and Exposition, Norwood, MA.

Ruiz, A., Gallagher, S., and Petrowski, L. (2020, March) Snack Attack: A Workshop Focusing on Basic Nutrition Education and Efficacy in Choosing Healthy Snacks with Second Graders in Hanover, MA. Poster session accepted by the MA Annual Nutrition Conference and Exposition, Norwood, MA.

Gallagher, S. “Networking for Nutrition and Earning Administrative Support” In: Nutrition in Public Health, S. Edelstein, ed., 4th edition, Jones & Bartlett, 2016.

Professional Affiliations & Memberships

  • Program Reviewer for ACEND (Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics)
  • Nutrition and Dietetic Educators and Preceptors
  • Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics

Awards

  • 2023 Simmons University Excellence in Undergraduate Teaching

Sharon Gallagher in the News

The 2023 faculty award winners

Simmons Celebrates Exemplary Research, Teaching, and Service at the 2023 Faculty Awards

On October 11, the Simmons community gathered to honor the outstanding achievements of six faculty members representing five disciplines. This year’s awardees received recognition for superlative undergraduate and graduate teaching, research, service, and a commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion.


Shout-outs from Students and Alums

Heather Zeman ’19MS

Heather Zeman '19MS Empowers People with Intuitive Eating and Sports Nutrition

Tell me about the kind of work that you do. I wear a few hats, which I love. My primary role is nutrition counseling at an interdisciplinary practice called Back Bay Health, where I empower athletes and active adults to...