Meet our nutritionist, Chardonée Donald, CHN, CNS, LDN

Dear Kaplan Center Community,

I am very excited to introduce Chardonée Donald, CHN, CNS, LDN, as the newest member of our Kaplan Center team!

Chardonée is a Licensed Dietitian Nutritionist and Certified Nutrition Specialist®, credentialed by the American Nutrition Association® through its Board for Certification of Nutrition Specialists™.

In her own words, “I am passionate and duty bound to helping others achieve a healthier lifestyle through research, development, supplements, herbal remedies, education, and motivation.”

Chardonée’s approach to care is rooted in the firm belief that mind, body, spirit and emotions must all be considered in order to take those first steps towards wellness. Her own path to becoming a nutritionist began as a patient wanting to be heard, needing to be acknowledged, and searching for a proper diagnosis. Her experience gives her the opportunity to relate to our patients and provide exceptional care for them.

Please join me in warmly welcoming Chardonée to the Kaplan Center; she is a wonderful addition to our team! I also invite you to take a moment to view her full bio and read her letter to patients below.

With best wishes for your optimal health,

Dr. Gary Kaplan

Letter to Patients

Dear Patients,

Welcome! My name is Chardonée Donald, I am your friendly Board-Certified Nutrition Specialist, Licensed-Dietitian Nutritionist, and Certified Holistic Nutritionist. I am thrilled to be partnering and walking with you to better health! Here at the Kaplan Center for Integrative Medicine, I will be working with an incredible team to help understand who you are as an individual and medically through nutritional analysis.

My background in nutrition began by earning my bachelor’s degree in biomedical science and a minor in nutrition. I went on to obtain my certificate as a Certified Holistic Nutritionist to then to earning my Master of Science in human clinical nutrition. I became a nutrition intern and obtained my certification as a Board-Certified Nutrition Specialist^™ (BCNS) from the American Nutrition Association^®. I am also licensed in Maryland as a Licensed-Dietitian Nutritionist. Today, I am a 3^rd year Ph.D. Candidate in the Functional and Integrative Nutrition program. I am also one of the doctorate level teaching assistants for the same program.

My approach to nutrition is a little different. I look at people with a “whole-body approach” through a combination of motivational interviewing, nutritional analysis, nutrition therapy, education, and lifestyle changes. This means I look at your life from birth to present age, your environment, and dive into questions some may have never asked you. Looking at your overall lifestyle, science, and what makes you, you. This is a “all hands-on deck” approach to your care. That means you, too, are a major part of the team and matter.

I believe that everyone has a purpose, a right to feel heard, a right to trust their healing team, and a right to truly heal. I am dedicated to educating you on your specific needs for your body to heal. My goal and hope is for you to become a “mini nutrition expert” and advocate for yourself.

When I am not investing in my patients, I am intentionally investing at home. I am a daughter, granddaughter, sister, aunt, newlywed Sickle Cell Warrior wife, “Bonus” mom, and a dog mom to beautiful mini-bernedoodle, Harmony.

I am so excited to be partnering with and supporting you on your healing journey!

With Gratitude and Health,

Chardonée Donald MS, CHN, CNS, LDN