A Conversation with Chardonée Donald: Embracing Holistic and Integrative Nutrition at Kaplan Center

Chardonée Donald has been a valued member of the Kaplan Center team for over a year, bringing a wealth of knowledge and a unique approach to patient care. In this interview, she shares her experiences, insights, and personal journey that shape her practice.

Q: Reflecting on your time with us, what has been a key factor that makes you proud to be part of our team?

Chardonée: Over the past year, I have come to appreciate the true sense of teamwork at the Kaplan Center. Everyone here respects each other’s expertise, creating an environment where we learn from one another. This mutual respect and willingness to learn are crucial in healthcare, as we continually strive to better ourselves to improve the lives of our patients.

Q: Dealing with a wide range of emotions is part of healthcare. Can you describe a time when you had to adapt your approach to meet a patient’s emotional or psychological needs?

Chardonée: Adapting my approach to meet a patient’s needs is something I do regularly. I meet each patient where they are, as no two appointments are the same. Unlike the typical intake process, I conduct intakes with patients, asking questions to gather their background without overwhelming them. This approach helps me avoid triggering medical trauma. Listening intently often reveals critical details that might otherwise be missed, allowing me to piece together a complex puzzle. Building trust is essential, so I always ensure patients feel heard and safe, creating a peaceful atmosphere for them to express their concerns.

Q: In what ways have your personal interests or extracurricular activities helped shape your approach to patient care or team collaboration within our practice?

Chardonée: My work as a Certified Sickle Cell Medical Navigator with Sickle Cell Medical Advocacy Inc. has profoundly influenced my approach to patient care. Witnessing the daily struggles of Sickle Cell Warriors, including my husband, has taught me to never overlook symptoms, no matter how small. This experience has also deepened my understanding of preventative care and the impact of nutrition on health.

Interestingly, my dog Harmony’s battle with a Mast Cell Tumor last year provided valuable lessons in using foods, herbs, and teas for healing. These principles have applications in both veterinary and human medicine. Additionally, running my organic tea business, The Potter’s Kettle, has broadened my perspective, viewing sales as investments in health rather than mere transactions.

My strong faith and personal experiences with health challenges drive my commitment to individualized patient care. I focus on treating each patient as a unique individual, considering their specific needs and comorbidities. This approach, supported by my extensive educational background, sets me apart and is supported by my team at the Kaplan Center.

About Chardonée Donald, CHN, CNS, LDN, Certified Nutrition Specialist

Chardonée Donald is a Board-Certified Nutrition Specialist and Licensed Dietitian Nutritionist, currently a 3rd year Ph.D. candidate in the Integrative and Functional Nutrition Program at Saybrook University. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Biomedical Science with a Minor in Nutrition and a Master of Science in Human Nutrition. She is also a Certified Holistic Nutritionist. She completed her CNS credentials through the American Nutrition Association and has over a decade of experience in nutrition.

Her approach to care involves finding the root cause of disorders and treating them accordingly, often asking patients to commit to a long-term plan to undo years of damage. Chardonée’s background includes working in a health food store, caregiving for her grandmother with dementia, working with Baltimore County WIC, and educating patients on various complex conditions such as diabetes, gut dysbiosis, Mast Cell Activation Disorder, POTS, and Sickle Cell Disease.

Chardonée is passionate about reducing inflammation, addressing gut dysbiosis, and supporting overall health through nutrition. Her holistic and scientific approach ensures that each patient receives tailored care, recognizing the uniqueness of every individual.

Personal Interests and Community Involvement

Outside of her professional life, Chardonée is a devoted wife, bonus mom, dog mom, and active community member in Northern Virginia. She enjoys cooking, DIY health projects, painting, reading, rollerblading, and volunteering with her local church. She also serves as a Teaching Assistant in the Integrative and Functional Nutrition Program at Saybrook University and is CoFounder of the Nonprofit Organization On The Air Sickled Podcast with her husband, Sickle Cell Medical Navigator with SCMA, and over the next few months will be dedicating time to her case study on Sickle Cell Disease management and nutrition.