Mary Lu Williams MS, RDN
Acting Assistant Director
VA Orlando health care
Phone:
Mary Lu Williams, MS, RDN, is the Chief of Nutrition and Food Services for the Orlando Veterans Affairs Health Care System (OVAHCS).
Mary Lu has been in this role since 2008. She began her career at OVAHCS in 2001, just weeks after 9/11. With over four decades of leadership in clinical nutrition, healthcare operations, and program development, she has dedicated her career to enhancing the health and well-being of Veterans through compassionate care, innovative practices, and high-reliability organizational principles.
Mary Lu began her VA career in 2001 as an Ambulatory Care Dietitian before advancing to Supervisory Dietitian, and ultimately to Chief of Nutrition and Food Services. She has also served in special leadership roles, including Acting Assistant Director (2021, 2026) and detailed Veterans Experience Officer (2024).
A committed leader and educator, Mary Lu has developed and implemented numerous programs, including the VA Nutrition Telehealth Clinic, MOVE! Program, ADA-certified diabetes education initiatives, and the Culinary Medicine program in partnership with the UCF College of Medicine. Her work also includes the creation of a weight management program and extensive experience in diabetes and gestational diabetes education.
Mary Lu has contributed nationally as Chair of the NFS SUG Committee, VISN 8 lead for prime vendor workgroups, and as a member of several national and VISN-level committees. She has supported major national events, including serving as Food Committee Chair for the 2018 National Veterans Wheelchair Games.
She holds certifications as a Registered Dietitian, Six Sigma Green Belt, HRO trainer, VA Voices facilitator, Whole Health Coach, and ServSafe® professional. With a long history of professional service, she has held leadership positions in the Orlando and Florida Dietetic Associations and has authored multiple chapters for the Florida Dietetic Association’s Manual of Nutrition.
Mary Lu earned her Master of Science in Health Education from Sage College, with additional coursework in Healthcare Administration, and a Bachelor of Science in Dietetics and Nutrition from the State University of New York at Oneonta.