Allied Health Professionals Conference

Sarah Bullard is a registered dietitian specializing in pediatric nutrition, family-based behavioral treatment and practical strategies for improving the home food environment. She currently supports telehealth-delivered obesity interventions through Children’s Mercy Hospital and operates UNstuck Nutrition, a virtual practice focused on anti-inflammatory and realistic meal planning content. Sarah brings over 15 years of clinical, research, and teaching experience, translating evidence into simple, sustainable habits for families, including twelve years dedicated specifically to pediatric nutrition, such as early intervention, pediatric feeding disorders, weight management and failure to thrive.

Hillary Cooper is an advocate, educator, researcher and self-proclaimed dysphagia geek. She owns North Louisiana Swallow Solutions, providing mobile FEES across North Louisiana and South Arkansas. She co-founded Dysphagia Outreach Project, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit whose mission is to provide meaningful assistance to people financially impacted by dysphagia by running the only food/supply pantry in the US for people with feeding and swallowing disorders. She is the 2024-2025 Council of State Association Presidents, or CSAP, treasurer and is a past president of the Louisiana Speech-Language Hearing Association, or LSHA. Hillary is currently pursuing an EdD in Learning and Organizational Change at Baylor University. Her research currently focuses on (1) identifying barriers and facilitators to the use of shared decision-making for diet texture modifications in long-term care settings and (2) identifying novel ways to maximize the charitable distribution of dysphagia supplies through organizations such as Dysphagia Outreach Project.

Dr. Whitehead earned her Doctor of Psychology in exercise and sport psychology from the University of the Rockies (2016) and holds a Master’s in Sports Administration (2003) and a Bachelor’s in Exercise Physiology (2002), both from University of Southern Mississippi. She has been an ACSM Certified Exercise Physiologist, or EP, since 2001 and became a Certified Women’s Coaching Specialist, or CWCS, in June 2025. With over 25 years of professional experience across exercise physiology, sport psychology and allied health, Dr. Whitehead brings a deep interdisciplinary approach to preparing future health and performance professionals.