Patricia Fuchs, RD
Pat is a registered dietitian and returned to Shape Up America!™ as the Vice President of Operations in 2010. She manages the staff, website and program of work.
She has an extensive background in dietetics and project management working in this field for more than 30 years. Among the many projects she has managed and developed for health professionals to use in counseling their clients and patients on a healthy diet and lifestyle were the companion booklets, Fitting Fitness In and Eating Smart Even When You Are Pressed for Time developed in collaboration with Shape Up America!™. Pat is well known in the healthcare community for working in partnership with other organizations when those organizations have goals that overlap. Her well-established reputation for building alliances has been put to good use at Shape Up America!™ as she spearheaded the updating of the website and developed alliances with important influencer groups related to obesity, diet and physical activity.
Pat received a Bachelor of Science from the University of Illinois and completed her Dietetic Internship at the University of Washington. She has been active in the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics (formerly the American Dietetics Association) having served as an officer in both state organizations and practice groups. As a founding member of the Dietitians in Business Communications (formerly Dietitians in Business and Industry) she saw the necessity for dietitians to serve as the translators between the public and the businesses producing food and products related to nutrition.
Pat has been a pioneer in the use of technology in food production/management and nutrition education. She worked with one of the original software developers in this field to develop, educate and implement food management, dietetics and patient record software in hospitals, long term care and corrections facilities.
She is an active pet parent to a rescue dog and walks for a good portion of her daily exercise. Having a sister and extended family in Europe, Pat is a trans-Atlantic commuter and uses the internet to communicate daily with family and friends around the world. Gardening, flea market shopping and antiquing are her favorite past times. In the warm weather, she can be found with her hands in the dirt and in the cool weather, she is often found with her hands in the cooky (no, that is not a typo, it is the original spelling!) and bread dough.
Committed to mentoring young people, a friend once said of Pat, “They finally figured out a word for what you do, they call it ‘Mentoring,’ just like what you did with me.” If there is one trait she would like to be remembered for, it is this.
