About Jean Ann Fischer:
I am a registered dietitian and licensed medical nutrition therapist with a B.S. and M.S. in nutrition and health sciences from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. I completed a medical nutrition internship at the University of Nebraska Medical Center and my work has spanned the areas of clinical nutrition, adjunct lecturer, and for the past six years, community nutrition and health promotion.
What is your position at UNL?
Nebraska Extension educator in nutrition and health sciences. I direct the Nutrition Education Program, which is funded by the United States Department of Agriculture Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program-Education and the Expanded Food and Nutrition Education Program.
What drew you to UNL?
As a registered dietitian, everything I do is based on integrating research, evidence-informed practice and evaluation to maintain, improve and advance nutrition and dietetics practice. The chance to work at UNL provided an opportunity to be at the intersection of research and practice. Plus, how can being on East Campus not feel like home?
What aspect of working in an educational setting do you enjoy the most?
It sounds cliché but education changes lives. Whether it is working within my team across the state to have an impact on vulnerable populations or with colleagues across the country, I get to be a part of something I believe is valuable. The daily interaction with undergraduate and graduate students also allows me to consistently push for the advancement and higher standards of our practice.
What do you consider your greatest achievement?
Hopefully, there is a past patient or student or team member who feels that in some way, I helped them when they needed it the most.
What is something that most people don’t know about you?
When I was in elementary school I told everyone that I was going to be an art teacher. I have zero artistic talent, but I loved my art teacher!
What is your life like outside of work?
You will most likely find me reading, walking our dogs or at softball with our daughter. My husband Jerry and I enjoy time with our kids, Jackson, a freshman at UNL, and Carson, a sophomore at Lincoln Southwest.