SUMMARY
The research of M. Molly McMahon, M.D., involves the management of individuals in the hospital who are malnourished and require intravenous nutrition or tube feeding. She has a special interest in glucose control in hospitalized people receiving nutritional support.
National surveys show that healthcare professionals are not trained well in nutrition. Dr. McMahon provides nutritional education to healthcare professionals in training. She also helped create a training program on hospital nutrition.
Focus areas
- Malnutrition in hospitalized patients. Dr. McMahon studies how better nutrition improves outcomes of hospitalized patients who are malnourished.
- Physicians are not well trained in nutrition despite an epidemic of obesity and malnutrition in the United States. Dr. McMahon assisted in the creation of a continuing education program for physicians to teach them more about nutrition. The program includes pre- and post-rotation tests to assess participants' knowledge.
- Magnesium is essential for many reactions in the human body. Low magnesium levels in outpatients are associated with poorer outcomes in people with hematologic conditions. Dr. McMahon and her hematology colleagues study whether replacement of magnesium will improve people's long-term health.
Significance to patient care
Malnutrition adversely affects patient outcomes, lengthens hospital stays and increases hospital costs. Nutritional support, such as intravenous nutrition and tube feeding, given to people who are malnourished improves their long-term health and functional status. Dr. McMahon's research aims to improve patient care by improving nutrition for hospitalized people.
Professional highlights
- President, American Society for Parenteral and Enteral Nutrition, Rhoads Research Foundation, 2020-2024.
- Treasurer, Mayo Clinic Alumni Association, Mayo Clinic, 2020-2024.
- Co-founder and co-director, Nutrition and Wellness in Health and Disease course, Mayo Clinic Continuing Medical Education, Mayo Clinic, 2000-2023.
- Distinguished Nutrition Support Physician Service Award, American Society for Parenteral and Enteral Nutrition, 2021.
- Past president, American Society for Parental and Enteral Nutrition, 2017-2018.
- Past president, Mayo Clinic Officers and Councilors for physicians and research scientists, Mayo Clinic, 2017-2018.
- Teaching Excellence Award, Internal Medicine Educator, Mayo Clinic, 2008, 2010, 2015-2017, 2019.
- Past secretary, Mayo Clinic Officers and Councilors, Mayo Clinic, 1997-1998.
- Mayo Foundation Scholar in Hospital Nutrition, Harvard Medical School, 1987-1988.