Amy Gannon

Youth Specialist for WVU Extension Service’s Family Nutrition Programs

Eat your vegetables. It’s a mantra for many parents across the state, but for West Virginia University Extension Service’s Amy Gannon, getting kids excited about nutrition is more than a saying, it’s her job.

Gannon serves as a faculty member for the Family Nutrition Programs. As a registered and licensed dietitian, she works to promote pediatric and adolescent nutrition across the state, focusing particularly on limited-resource audiences.

“We live in a state where many of our children receive Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits, like free/reduced lunch,” Gannon said. “We know many of these same children are not receiving nutrient-rich meals when they go home. It’s my job to education children on simple ways to choose healthy foods. I also work with parents on affordable ways to create nutritious meals while purchasing within their budgets.”

Before taking on her currently role with FNP, Gannon served as an assistant professor of dietetics for Marshall University. She taught a variety of courses to undergraduate dietetic and nursing students. The courses covered topics like nutrition, diet therapy, and food chemistry.

She earned a bachelor’s degree in Human Nutrition and Foods from West Virginia University in 1999. Gannon also completed a master’s of science in dietetics from Marshall University in 2004. She is currently working toward her doctorate in education from Marshall with an emphasis in dietetic education.

In addition, to her work in the education world, Gannon has served many roles in the private sector. She worked as a wellness coordinator, clinical dietitian, and pharmaceutical sales consultant.

For more than five years, Gannon is the consultant dietitian for the Charleston Area Medical Center’s Healthy Kids Weight Management Program.

She is a former president of the West Virginia Dietetic Association and now serves as the Association’s media relations chair.

In 2005, Gannon was granted a certificate of training in Pediatric Weight Management by the American Dietetic Association and Commission on Dietetic Registration.

She is also a regular contributor to the Charleston Daily Mail’s Mommyhood blog where she covers topics like motherhood, nutrition, and cancer survivorship.

To contact Amy Gannon call 304-941-2440.