Sharine P Forbes Los Angeles
Welcome to the digital hub of Dr. Sharine P. Forbes, a nationally recognized healthcare innovator, clinician, USC Professor, and advocate based in Los Angeles. This platform highlights Dr. Forbes’s multifaceted career dedicated to advancing health equity, culturally competent care, and nutrition-based wellness solutions. With a unique combination of clinical expertise, academic excellence, and community engagement, Dr. Forbes has pioneered holistic approaches to chronic disease management—particularly for underserved populations. Her work spans the founding of Eat Karma, the development of culturally tailored meal programs, and the integration of social determinants of health into everyday clinical practice. Beyond her many professional achievements, Dr. Forbes is committed to empowering communities through education, compassion, and access to care. Her forward-thinking vision continues to reshape how healthcare is delivered, placing dignity, cultural relevance, and nourishment at the center of lasting change.
Dr. Sharine P. Forbes: A Trailblazer in Culturally Competent Healthcare and Nutritional Advocacy
In the heart of Los Angeles resides a visionary whose professional journey is as multifaceted as it is inspiring. Dr. Sharine P. Forbes, DNP-FNP (BC), MSG, BSN, BA, RN, has etched a path defined by compassion, innovation, and an unrelenting drive to serve others. A scholar, clinician, and community advocate, Dr. Forbes has recently reached a remarkable milestone: earning her fifth academic degree, a Doctorate in Nursing Practice (DNP) from the world-renowned Johns Hopkins University School of Nursing. This achievement marks the culmination of a lifelong pursuit of knowledge and service—a journey that not only spans prestigious academic institutions but also bridges the fields of medicine, nutrition, gerontology, and public health.
But to know Dr. Sharine Forbes of Los Angeles is to understand that her education is only one facet of her identity. More than a scholar, she is a change agent who seeks to redefine how we think about health, particularly in underserved communities. She is the founder of Eat Karma, a nonprofit organization that fuses her expertise in healthcare with her deep-rooted belief in the healing power of culturally competent nutrition. Through her work, Dr. Sharine Forbes empowers individuals to take control of their health, honor their cultural identities, and find hope in the face of systemic inequities.
A Scholarly Journey Fueled by Purpose
Dr. Sharine Forbes’s academic resume is nothing short of extraordinary. She is currently a professor at the University of Southern California and her most recent accomplishment, the DNP from Johns Hopkins University, represents a crowning achievement in her mission to elevate healthcare delivery through evidence-based practice and holistic care. Prior to Johns Hopkins, she earned her Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) from Duke University—a formative experience that sparked her dedication to clinical excellence. Her graduate studies took her to the University of Southern California, where she earned a Master of Science in Gerontology (MSG), reflecting her commitment to serving the aging population with dignity and insight.
Earlier still, Dr. Forbes laid the intellectual groundwork for her career at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), where she pursued dual undergraduate degrees in International Development Studies and History. This unique combination provided her with a broad global perspective and an appreciation for the sociopolitical forces that shape community health outcomes. It also foreshadowed her future work at the intersection of culture, healthcare, and advocacy.
Complementing her formal education, Dr. Sharine Forbes of Los Angeles has also earned certifications in Advanced Nutrition, Nutritional Therapy, and Culturally Competent Nursing Care. These credentials highlight her deep understanding of how diet influences not only physical health but also mental and emotional well-being. This knowledge has become a cornerstone of her clinical philosophy: food is medicine, and health equity begins at the table.
Eat Karma: Where Compassion Meets Innovation
The seeds of Eat Karma were planted in 2013 during a poignant moment in Central Park, where Dr. Forbes and her friend Rosa Nunez discussed the glaring lack of healthy, affordable food options in their communities. That moment ignited a vision that would grow into something transformative. While observing patients in the ICU, Dr. Forbes recognized a pattern: many were battling preventable chronic illnesses exacerbated by poor nutrition and lack of access to healthy food. This realization struck a personal and professional chord.
Years later, with renewed determination and fresh insights from her doctoral studies, Dr. Sharine Forbes formally founded Eat Karma—a movement that goes far beyond meal delivery. At its core, Eat Karma is a nonprofit organization dedicated to providing medically tailored, culturally respectful meals to individuals living with chronic conditions or disabilities, especially those residing in food deserts. With the motto “Eat good, feel good, be good,” the organization champions health equity by addressing the social determinants of health, particularly those rooted in systemic and structural racism.
What makes Eat Karma so unique is its unwavering commitment to cultural relevance. Dr. Forbes understands that food is more than sustenance, it’s identity, tradition, and comfort. Each meal is carefully designed to meet specific medical needs while honoring cultural preferences, ensuring that recipients don’t have to choose between health and heritage. This sensitive approach not only improves health outcomes but also uplifts dignity, fosters trust, and empowers communities.
Mobile Missions: Meeting People Where They Are
Recognizing that accessibility is often the greatest barrier to healthy eating, Eat Karma utilizes food trucks as mobile wellness hubs. These vehicles roll directly into food deserts, bringing nutritious meals and nutritional education to the doorsteps of those who need them most. This model allows Eat Karma to bypass traditional barriers to care, such as transportation issues or the scarcity of local grocery stores with fresh produce.
But the food trucks are more than delivery mechanisms—they’re community centers on wheels. They serve as platforms for health education, awareness campaigns, and even screening services. Each visit becomes a chance to engage, educate, and inspire healthier living.
With plans to expand its fleet and forge partnerships with healthcare providers, Eat Karma is poised to become a national model for culturally conscious, mobile nutrition care. Technology will also play a crucial role in scaling operations, tracking outcomes, and connecting individuals with resources tailored to their needs.
A Call to Action for the Next Generation
Dr. Forbes’s work with Eat Karma also opens doors for academic collaboration and social entrepreneurship. Students and faculty at institutions like Johns Hopkins are invited to participate in this innovative model, applying their academic skills to real-world challenges and deepening their understanding of how culture, nutrition, and chronic disease intersect. Through research, community engagement, and interdisciplinary partnerships, Dr. Forbes is fostering a new generation of healthcare leaders who prioritize equity, empathy, and empowerment.
Living the Mission
Dr. Sharine Forbes of Los Angeles lives by the Hippocratic wisdom: “Let food be thy medicine and medicine thy food.” This principle is not just a tagline—it is the heartbeat of her life’s work. Whether she is treating a patient, designing a nutrition program, mentoring a student, or rolling out a food truck, her mission is clear: to heal, to uplift, and to transform.
In a world where disparities in healthcare and nutrition remain stark, Dr. Sharine Forbes is a light. Through her groundbreaking work, she reminds us that compassion is powerful, culture matters, and every person deserves a chance at optimal health—served one nourishing, culturally conscious meal at a time.
Dr. Sharine Forbes’s legacy is still unfolding, but one thing is certain: She is reshaping the narrative of healthcare, one degree, one meal, and one community at a time.