Steering Committee | MU Extension

MOCAN leadership 2024

Executive Committee

MOCAN Chair: Priscilla Schmid
Priscilla holds a Masters in Public Health Nutrition and is a licensed Registered Dietitian in the states of Missouri and Kansas. She has more than seven years of experience in the Dietetics field and is currently the Dietetics Director of the Missouri Northwest Region (KCMO). She was awarded as "Recognized Young Registered Dietitian" in 2021 by the Missouri Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics (MOAND). Priscilla has ten certificates including Treatment of Obesity in Pediatrics and Adults, ServSafe Manager, Effective Communication and Excel Pivot Tables certificates. Her specialty is in developing clinical nutrition programs that treat obesity and related comorbidities. In her pastime, she enjoys exhibiting her artwork and playing music.
MOCAN Co-Chair: Julie Benard
Julie Benard, MD, is originally from Ste. Genevieve (in Southeast Missouri) and moved to Columbia in 2004 to attend MU for college. She continued to complete her medical education at MU and then went on to complete her residency in Child Health at MU Women’s and Children’s Hospital. She was fortunate enough to have the opportunity to join the MU Child Health faculty in 2015 after completing her residency training. She has always had an interest in childhood nutrition and obesity prevention/management which grew into a passion during residency and her early career on faculty. In 2018, she obtained board certification for obesity management to better assist her patients and the children of Mid-Missouri with weight concerns and overall health. Julie recently moved to Cape Girardeau and joined the Saint Francis Medical Center, and is very excited to serve the state of Missouri in the capacity of Healthcare Work Group co-chair.
MOCAN Past Chair: Andrea Cullers
Andrea Cullers, PhD, RD, is an Associate Professor in the Kinesiology Department and Director of the Lion Co-op at Missouri Southern State University in Joplin, Missouri. She received her BS in Dietetics and Nutrition from the University of Arkansas, her MS from University of Kansas Medical Center in Clinical Nutrition and her PhD from the University of California, Davis in Nutritional Biology with an emphasis in Community and International Nutrition. Dr. Cullers is a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist and completed her training at KUMC. Dr. Cullers is currently chair of Joplin Area Food Action Network; she also serves on the Community Health Collaborative in her community. Andrea loves playing outside and exploring the world with her husband and 7-year-old son, Asher.

Child Care

Child Care Co-Chair: Lisa Lauer
Lisa (Farmer) Lauer is a Senior Nutritionist at the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services, Bureau of Community Health and Wellness, where she is the early care and education (ECE) lead on the CDC State Physical Activity and Nutrition (SPAN) grant team, and the nutrition lead on the CDC Missouri Healthy Schools grant team. Lisa has over 20 years of diverse community nutrition experience that includes developing education materials for 4-H, program development and execution for an urban cooperative extension, head start nutrition coordinator, and farm to school director. This broad knowledge base sets her apart from many of her peers, and offers a vision of seamless nutrition and wellness education for nutrition professionals, school stakeholders and families. She loves teaching students of all ages, and recently completed her master’s degree in adult learning and leadership from Kansas State University. When not working, Lisa enjoys spending time with her family, cooking, and exploring flea markets.
Child Care Co-Chair: Lauri Choate
Lauri Choate has worked in the field of early childhood for more than 35 years. She has worked directly with infants through school-age, providing developmentally appropriate environments where children thrive and learn. She has worked in the public and private sectors supporting child care centers and family child care programs to create healthy and safe environments for young children. Lauri has provided training and coaching support to teachers while working at Goddard Systems, Inc. There she trained teachers, directors and franchisees in child development, health and nutrition and developmentally appropriate practices. Lauri is currently Director of Training at Child Care Aware® of Missouri. Over the past five years, she has managed operations over 20 learning collaboratives with funding from Nemours, Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services, St. Louis County CARES, Missouri Foundation for Health, Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation. These collaboratives focused on supporting social and emotional development (Emotional Foundations for Early Childhood-Plus or EFFEC+), as well as increasing physical activity and nutrition (Taking Steps to Healthy Success-MO) of young children. Participating educators were from child care centers and family child care programs from the Kansas City, Joplin, Rolla, St. Louis, Jefferson City, Kennett, Moberly, Salem, Cabool, Houston, and Willow Springs areas.Lauri has extensive experience writing curriculum for early child care educators and has written the curriculum for Taking Steps to Healthy Success-MO and EFFEC+ collaboratives. She is also a proud John Maxwell Certified Coach and Leadership Specialist. This training has inspired her to provide opportunities for child care educators to grow and positively impact Missouri’s young children and their families.

Food Systems

Food Systems Co-Chair: Kelsey Gardiner
Kelsey Gardiner, M.S.E., PH.D. is an Assistant Teaching Professor in the School of Nursing and Health Studies at the University of Missouri Kansas City (UMKC). She received both her Master’s and Doctorate degrees from the University of Kansas (KU) studying Health Education and Exercise Psychology with a focus on nutrition and physical activity. She has previous experience working at the community level as a health educator and nutrition services coordinator, and in leadership roles as the chair of the Healthy Food for All workgroup in Douglas County and The Food for Jayhawks committee at KU. Her research has been focused mostly on community and public health nutrition. This encompasses food systems, healthy eating behaviors, food insecurity and access to healthy foods, and food as a social determinant of health. Currently she is an active member of the UMKC Food Insecurity Committee, Missouri Community Health Improvement Plan (CHIP) Committee, the Community and Public Health Nutrition Research Interest Group with the American Society of Nutrition, and is collaborating on research projects related to improving food systems and SNAP access.
Food Systems Co-Chair: Shelly Summar
Shelly Summar is a registered dietitian with over 30 years of experience promoting healthy lifestyles. Shelly has devoted her career to treating children and families for nutrition related issues. Over her career, she’s established clinical programs to improve access to care and led and expanded innovative community partnerships to promote environments that improve access to healthy food and physical activity. Shelly currently serves as the Program Manager of the Kansas City Healthy Lifestyles Collaborative, a program at Children’s Mercy Hospital, working to lead community collaboration to support healthy lifestyles. Current projects include leading the Healthy Lifestyles Initiative which shares the 12345 Fit-Tastic! message to guide obesity prevention efforts in a primary care setting; promoting physical activity through the development of a regional physical activity plan; establishing a hospital supported community garden; and gaining a better understanding of what is needed to improve access to healthy food for all. Her leadership in these efforts have resulted in a reach of over 900 community partners, expanded partnerships with key organizations, and aligned efforts across societal sectors. She received her undergraduate degree in Nutritional Sciences from Kansas State University and her Masters in Exercise Physiology from the University of Kansas. She also completed a Certificate of Training in Childhood and Adolescent Weight Management through the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics and participated in the Healthy Communities Leadership Academy led by an influential, health focused, Kansas City organization. When it comes to healthy lifestyles, Shelly believes in leading by example. She loves gardening and being active through walking, hiking, and pickleball.

Healthcare

Healthcare Co-Chair: Julie Benard
Julie Benard, MD, is originally from Ste. Genevieve (in Southeast Missouri) and moved to Columbia in 2004 to attend MU for college. She continued to complete her medical education at MU and then went on to complete her residency in Child Health at MU Women’s and Children’s Hospital. She was fortunate enough to have the opportunity to join the MU Child Health faculty in 2015 after completing her residency training. She has always had an interest in childhood nutrition and obesity prevention/management which grew into a passion during residency and her early career on faculty. In 2018, she obtained board certification for obesity management to better assist her patients and the children of Mid-Missouri with weight concerns and overall health. Julie recently moved to Cape Girardeau and joined the Saint Francis Medical Center, and is very excited to serve the state of Missouri in the capacity of Healthcare Work Group co-chair.
Healthcare Co-Chair: Sarah Hampl
Dr. Sarah Hampl is board certified in Pediatrics and Obesity Medicine and is a Professor of Pediatrics at the University of MO-Kansas City School of Medicine. She is a member of the Division of General Academic Pediatrics at Children’s Mercy Kansas City and directs advocacy initiatives at the Center for Children’s Healthy Lifestyles & Nutrition, a partnership between Children’s Mercy and the University of Kansas Medical Center. She has been working with children and families with obesity for the past 25 years. She provides clinical care in the Promoting Health in Teens and Kids (PHIT Kids) Weight Management Clinic and is the medical director of Weight Management group programs. Dr. Hampl has enjoyed being a MOCAN member since 2008.

Healthy Aging and Fall Prevention

Healthy Aging and Fall Prevention Co-Chair: Tina Uridge
Tina Uridge, MS, has been Executive Director of Clay County Senior Services Fund since 2005. She is the chair of the Clay & Platte County Falls Prevention Coalition. Tina is the President of the Missouri Association of Levy Boards and Senior Organizations(MoALSO), serves on the Mid-America Regional Council (AAA) Commission on Aging and is on the advisiory council for Missouri’s Master Plan on Aging.
Healthy Aging and Fall Prevention Co-Chair: Jordanna Mcleod
Jordanna McLeod, MPH, is a senior program manager for the Bureau of Senior Programs within Missouri’s Department of Health and Senior Services. In this position, Jordanna oversees the funding of evidence-based disease prevention and health promotion programs for older adults in Missouri. Jordanna started working with the Show Me Falls Free Missouri Coalition in July 2022. This coalition joined forces with MOCAN in 2024.

Healthy Weight Advisory Committee

Healthy Weight Advisory Committee Co-Chair: Sarah Hampl
Dr. Sarah Hampl is board certified in Pediatrics and Obesity Medicine and is a Professor of Pediatrics at the University of MO-Kansas City School of Medicine. She is a member of the Division of General Academic Pediatrics at Children’s Mercy Kansas City and directs advocacy initiatives at the Center for Children’s Healthy Lifestyles & Nutrition, a partnership between Children’s Mercy and the University of Kansas Medical Center. She has been working with children and families with obesity for the past 25 years. She provides clinical care in the Promoting Health in Teens and Kids (PHIT Kids) Weight Management Clinic and is the medical director of Weight Management group programs. Dr. Hampl has enjoyed being a MOCAN member since 2008.
Healthy Weight Advisory Committee Co-Chair: Priscilla Schmid
Priscilla holds a Masters in Public Health Nutrition and is a licensed Registered Dietitian in the states of Missouri and Kansas. She has more than seven years of experience in the Dietetics field and is currently the Dietetics Director of the Missouri Northwest Region (KCMO). She was awarded as "Recognized Young Registered Dietitian" in 2021 by the Missouri Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics (MOAND). Priscilla has ten certificates including Treatment of Obesity in Pediatrics and Adults, ServSafe Manager, Effective Communication and Excel Pivot Tables certificates. Her specialty is in developing clinical nutrition programs that treat obesity and related comorbidities. In her pastime, she enjoys exhibiting her artwork and playing music.

Physical Activity

Physical Activity Co-Chair: Chelsey Davenport
Chelsey earned a Master of Science degree with an emphasis in Wellness Management from Pittsburg State University. Following graduation, she worked with Freeman Hospital’s Screen Team (Joplin, Mo) which offers preventative health screenings to the local community. The experience working with Freeman prepared her for her current position as the Wellness Coordinator for the Neosho School District. Chelsey collaborates with seven hundred staff members to help them achieve their overall wellness goals. This includes incorporating physical exercise and implementing nutritional guidelines to support healthier lifestyles. Movement has always been a priority in Chelsey’s life. At age five she took up dance and eventually danced professionally for sixteen years after receiving a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in Dance Performance from Oklahoma City University. She has also helped others maintain and increase mobility by instructing them in yoga. Chelsey has been a part of MOCAN for two years. She embraces the opportunity to share knowledge with and increase awareness among Missourians toward living healthier lives.
Physical Activity Co-Chair: Christy Pittmann
Christy Pittman, MS, RD, LD, AT,C is currently serving as Wellness Liaison for Carl Junction Schools. The District and Freeman Health Systems have a partnership that provide not only wellness programs, but also sports medicine; behavioral, psychological counseling; and virtual appointments and transportation to clinics for all students. Christy has a background in nutrition and sports medicine promoting those and mental well being though the wellness program for staff and students.

Schools

Schools Co-Chair: Donna Mehrle Elliott
Donna Mehrle Elliott, MPH, RD, LD, has a wealth of experiences in public health nutrition through her work at the Department of Health and Senior Services and the University of Missouri Extension. During her time at the Department, Donna worked in several nutrition programs: aging, WIC, planning and surveillance and obesity reduction and prevention. During her work at Extension, she assisted in day-to-day implementation of the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program - Nutrition Education and lead several special projects. Donna served as the coordinator of the Missouri Council for Activity and Nutrition (MOCAN) for several years and was instrumental in convening the council when first established. In addition, Donna also worked part-time as a registered, licensed dietitian at the Jefferson City Medical Group, counseling patients at the Weight Treatment Center. She continues to be active in her state dietetic association, the Cole County University of Missouri Extension Council, the national Association of State and Territorial Public Health Nutritionists (ASTPHN) and the national Association of SNAP-Ed Nutrition Networks and Other Implementing Agencies (ASNNA). She is currently working PRN as a clinical dietitian. She has presented at local, state and national conferences about policy and environmental changes to make the healthy choice the easy choice in Missouri, the socio-ecological approach to behavior change and the impact of obesity in various settings and populations.

Worksites

Worksites Co-Chair: Kris Drake
Kris Drake, RN, CHPD, is the Wellness Coordinator at Freeman Health System in Joplin Mo. As coordinator of Freeman’s employee wellness program - WellBalance, Kris works daily to improve the work-life balance of more than 4,500 health system employees. Since October 2002, she has developed an array of programs to empower Freeman employees to reach their personal wellness goals. The WellBalance program mission is to inspire total well-being by providing opportunities and encouraging employees to improve and maintain their quality of life.
Worksites Co-Chair: Kim Feltrop
Kim Feltrop has been a Registered Nurse for 18 years in a variety of healthcare settings with multi-specialty experience in Interventional Radiology, Preop/PACU, Nephrology, Community Disability Health, and Health/Wellness Coaching. She is the Wellness Coordinator for Quaker Windows Products. She oversees the Health and Wellness program at two manufacturing plant locations for approximately 1500 employees. She provides employee coaching, health education, and advocacy. Kim serves on the Board for Osage County Anti-Drug Community Action Team, Inc and teaches the Strengthening Families Program. She embraces opportunities to create a positive impact and greater quality of life for the betterment of the people she serves.

At-Large Members

Kris Drake
Kris Drake, RN, CHPD, is the Wellness Coordinator at Freeman Health System in Joplin Mo. As coordinator of Freeman’s employee wellness program - WellBalance, Kris works daily to improve the work-life balance of more than 4,500 health system employees. Since October 2002, she has developed an array of programs to empower Freeman employees to reach their personal wellness goals. The WellBalance program mission is to inspire total well-being by providing opportunities and encouraging employees to improve and maintain their quality of life.
Jeremy Milarsky
Jeremy Milarsky is a program manager at the Center for Health Policy in the University of Missouri’s School of Medicine. In this position, he co-manages No Kid Hungry Missouri, a collaborative effort with the state of Missouri and the Missouri Family and Community Trust. No Kid Hungry Missouri empowers schools and nonprofit organizations to feed more children through small grants and technical assistance with public nutrition programs. Jeremy has a background in journalism, healthcare communication and data analysis. He enjoys long-distance running with his dogs.
Pat Simmons
Pat Simmons is one of the Assistant Deputy Division Directors for the Division of Community and Public Health (DCPH) at the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services. In this role, she provides guidance and oversight for six bureaus/offices within DCPH. Ms. Simmons is also facilitating implementation of the health behaviors strategic priority area of the State Health Improvement Plan. She started at the Department in 2007 as a Nutrition Specialist and has held other leadership roles, including Nutrition and Physical Activity Program Manager and Bureau Chief of Community Health and Wellness. During her tenure with the Department, Ms. Simmons has led several statewide programs, many in collaboration with MOCAN, to improve access to healthy foods and safe places to be physically active. Ms. Simmons has been a member of MOCAN for the past 16 years serving on several different workgroups, including the Steering Committee. In addition to her work within Missouri, Ms. Simmons has served on the Board of Directors for the Association of State Public Health Nutritionists as the Fruit and Vegetable Council Chair, Collaboration Committee Chair and Treasurer. Ms. Simmons currently lives in Sturgeon with her husband and two sons.

MU Extension Coordinating Staff

MOCAN Executive Director: Candace Rodman
Candace Rodman holds a Master’s Degree in Sports Science and Rehabilitation through Logan University. She serves as the Missouri Council for Activity and Nutrition (MOCAN) Executive Director which acts to unify MO organizations, healthcare professionals, educators, government officials and public health entities to create policies that better the health of Missourians. When not working, she volunteers for the Huntington’s Disease Society of America and serves as Chair of the Mayor’s Council for Physical Fitness and Health.
MOCAN Communications Advisor: Tyler Hall
Tyler Hall is a County Engagement Specialist in Nutrition and Health for the University of Missouri Extension, primarily serving Montgomery, Lincoln, and Warren counties. He earned a B.S. in Nutritional Science and an M.S. in Nutrition and Exercise Physiology from the University of Missouri. Tyler’s work focuses heavily on falls prevention in older adults through strength training and lifestyle nutrition changes for long-term positive health outcomes. Before his time with the University of Missouri Extension, Tyler worked at MU Healthcare as an exercise physiologist, where he trained patients recovering from cardiopulmonary events to help them return to normal activities of daily living. Tyler serves as the communications advisor for MOCAN to help disseminate information and accomplishments from the organization.
MOCAN Senior Coordinator: Becca Cameron
Becca Cameron is a Senior Program & Project Coordinator for the Family Nutrition Education Program with the University of Missouri Extension. In this role, Becca helps with state-wide reporting efforts and supports Candace to coordinate and connect all MOCAN workgroups and welcome new MOCAN members. Becca earned her Bachelors in Journalism from the University of Missouri and is currently pursuing her Masters in Public Health, also at Mizzou. In her free time, Becca is an avid Jazzerciser, plays tennis and enjoys long walks with her dog, Helen.