Patricia Hart Terry, professor emerita at Samford University and former SBC missionary, has been included in Marquis Who’s Who for her work in nutrition and food science.

Terry is an expert in nutrition and dietetics who spent many years in diverse roles. In 2020, she became a culinary nutrition and teaching kitchen consultant and the owner of The Wellness Kitchen RD in Vestavia Hills. In addition to consulting, she hosts a website that offers an array of healthy eating articles, tips, recipes and more, plus the option to subscribe.

Terry joined Samford University in Birmingham as a professor and food labs director between 1990 and 2020 and as the director of the didactic program from 1990 to 2013. She also was chair of the department of human sciences and design from 2000 to 2003 and twice chaired the department of nutrition and dietetics between 2004 and 2007 and 2013 and 2015.

Teaching and research

As a faculty member, Terry had the opportunity to serve as the director of the two Samford Food Production Labs and successfully launched The Samford Wellness Kitchen, a community teaching kitchen. As a scholar, she focused much of her research on food, particularly food science and experimental foods. Terry retired from Samford University as professor in 2020 and was named professor emerita in 2022.

During Terry’s tenured teaching career, she wrote a weekly food column for the Birmingham News called “In Season” from 1992 to 2010.

Before working in education, she became recognized for her pioneering work as the inaugural non-clinical dietitian appointed to serve abroad by the International Mission Board of the Southern Baptist Convention. Terry spent over a decade as a missionary and community nutritionist in Caracas, Venezuela, between 1976 and 1989. She also spent time residing in Israel and Costa Rica, and, while coming of age, she traveled to numerous other parts of the U.S. and abroad with her grandmother, where she was fortunate to experience different foods and cultures, including Mexico and Europe.

Terry remains active today as a member of the Baptist World Alliance. She is also a charter member of the Birmingham chapter of Les Dames d’Escoffier, an international philanthropic organization comprising a group of female leaders in the food, beverage and hospitality sectors.

Published work

After her travels to Latin America and witnessing the benefits of healthy eating and living, Terry authored her first book, “Made for Paradise: God’s Original Plan for Healthy Eating, Physical Activity and Rest,” in 2007.

Terry earned a bachelor’s and master’s degree in nutrition and dietetics from the University of Alabama in 1972 and 1975 and a doctorate in nutrition and dietetics from Texas Woman’s University in 1987. She also completed a dietetic internship at Baylor University Medical Center in Dallas during her studies.

Terry holds designations as a registered and licensed dietitian. She remains abreast in her industry as a member of the Academy of Nutrition and the Alabama Dietetic Association and was elected as a fellow of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics in 2013. She is notably fluent in English and Spanish.

Marquis Who’s Who recognizes professionals from a variety of fields, chronicling the lives of accomplished individuals and innovators from various fields of endeavor, including politics, business, medicine, law, education, art, religion and entertainment. For more information, visit marquiswhoswho.com. (Marquis)