Parkview Health formalizes long-standing commitment to healthy patient nutrition

FORT WAYNE, Ind. - Oct. 27, 2026 - Parkview Health has signed the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) and U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) voluntary Make Hospital Food Healthier Pledge, a national initiative that encourages hospitals to align patient meals with federal dietary guidelines and place a greater emphasis on nutrition as part of patient care.

The pledge includes commitments to limit ultra-processed foods and sugar-sweetened beverages, offer more nutrient-dense options, use healthier preparation methods and provide nutrition resources to patients after discharge. According to HHS, chronic disease accounts for approximately 90% of the nation's annual healthcare spending, underscoring the role nutrition can play in supporting long-term health.

"Food plays an important role in overall health, which is why Parkview continues to integrate nutrition into patient care," said Dr. Sarah Giaquinta, senior vice president, Community Impact, Parkview Health. "Through our Food is Medicine programming, we're helping patients better understand how nourishing food can support their well-being beyond the hospital stay. Signing this pledge reinforces our commitment to making nutrition a meaningful part of the care experience."

For Parkview, the pledge formalizes many of the practices already in place across the health system. Patient menus emphasize fruits, vegetables, whole grains and lean proteins, while Nutrition Services teams prioritize preparation methods such as baking, roasting and grilling.

"As a healthcare organization, we have a responsibility to think beyond treatment and consider the factors that affect long-term health," said Donna Van Vlerah, senior vice president, Support Division, which includes Nutrition Services, at Parkview Health. "Nutrition is one of those responsibilities. Signing this pledge was a natural step for Parkview because many of these practices have been part of our approach for years. It reflects work already happening across our hospitals and our ongoing commitment to supporting healthier outcomes for the patients and communities we serve."

"Healthy food should be part of the care patients receive in our hospitals," said HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. "I thank Parkview Health for taking action to improve the food it serves patients, staff, and families. By joining this pledge, hospitals across America are helping make nutritious food a standard part of healing and advancing our work to Make America Healthy Again."

Indiana has also placed increased attention on nutrition and preventive health as part of broader efforts to improve health outcomes across the state.

For more information about the Make Hospital Food Healthier Pledge, visit cms.gov. For more information about Parkview Health, visit parkview.com.