Rebecca Koester Kelly, Ph.D., RD, CDE
The University of Alabama

Rebecca Koester Kelly, Ph.D., RD, CDE, is the Director of the Health Promotion and Wellness program at The University of Alabama, Tuscaloosa.  Dr. Kelly recently was profiled in USA Today as one of the nation's leading experts in helping companies become healthier.  Over the span of 13 years, Kelly implemented a nationally recognized health and wellness program as Wellness Coordinator of the American Cast Iron Pipe Company (ACIPCO).  Kelly holds a bachelor's degree in nutrition and food science from Auburn University and a master's degree in exercise physiology from the University of Alabama at Birmingham, and received her Ph.D. degree (Health Education and Health Promotion) at the University of Birmingham's joint program in the Schools of Education and Public Health.  Over the past 15 years, Kelly has been involved in the development of more than 20 signature health programs, including a national recognized worksite diabetes education program, a worksite rehabilitation program, and the development of a wellness screening model used to predict health care costs and productivity.  Additionally, she has given more than 200 presentations and published more than 40 articles on wellness related topics.  She has served as a sports nutritionist for Birmingham Southern College, University of Alabama at Birmingham, and numerous clubs and high school student-athletes.  Her professional affiliations include serving on the board of directors for the American Heart Association and the Diabetes Care Network of America.