Karen Donelson

Registered Dietitian with an MS in Health Promotion & over 16 years of experience in clinical dietetics, behavior modification, multi-disciplinary team collaboration, large-scale health initiatives, & operational oversight.

Background in identifying service gaps, launching programs from the ground up, driving revenue, & providing whole-person care to create positive outcomes.

Skilled in addressing complex feeding concerns & ARFID & working with clients across a wide range of needs, ages, abilities, & backgrounds, both in-person & virtually.

Currently expanding my work in sports nutrition & actively completing an intensive 6-month sports nutrition mentorship under the guidance of Brittany Perry, MS, RD, CSSD, CEDS-C, LDN (Britt’s Performance Nutrition, LLC), deepening my expertise in REDs, performance fueling & recovery, & eating disorder-informed sports nutrition.

Sports Performance Dietitian at Self-Directed Volunteer (2024 – Present)

• Guide athletes in sports-specific fueling & recovery strategies using credible resources
• Support athletes in balancing training & performance demands with body composition goals
• Customize easy/moderate/hard training-day fueling guides to support energy needs & recovery
• Provide athlete education on meal & snack timing, carb-loading, & meeting protein needs

Dietitian | Feeding Clinic at Bill & Virginia Leffen Center for Autism (Ozark Center) (2016 – Present)

• Identified system-wide service gap & led development of organization's 1st interdisciplinary feeding clinic
• Created & presented feeding clinic proposal to Ozark Center & Freeman Health System leadership
• Researched national models & developed clinic structure, workflow, & program documents & materials
• Recruited prominent experts in feeding therapy to deliver 2-day workshop for staff & caregivers
• Co-organized & widely promoted the feeding workshop, drawing 100+ attendees from across the country
• Organized & co-hosted Lunch-&-Learns on feeding disorders for local pediatricians & medical providers
• Deliver client-centered medical nutrition therapy to effectuate positive behavior changes to support optimal health
• Collaborate with multidisciplinary feeding clinic team regarding the assessment & care of clients
• Synthesize data from interdisciplinary team for comprehensive assessment reports & monthly client updates
• Lead professional development seminars for colleagues on a variety of nutrition topics
• Provide group & 1:1 education to colleagues, parents, & various community groups
• Serve as preceptor for dietetic interns & medical students

Consultant Dietitian (Independent Contractor) at Health Technologies, Inc. (2010 – 2016)

• Worked independently across multiple facilities, managing schedules, on-site reviews, & follow-up communications
• Completed sanitation inspections, meal observations, & regulatory compliance evaluations
• Collaborated with nursing & culinary teams on menu revisions for resident safety, satisfaction, & dietary compliance
• Provided staff education & practical recommendations to support service quality
• Assisted administrators in the development of plans of correction
• Completed detailed consultant reports & recommendations in electronic medical records Diabetes Educator at Lake Charles Memorial Hospital (2009 - 2010)
• Empowered patients with self-management skills through nutrition education & counseling
• Adapted educational materials for a range of learning needs & backgrounds
• Coordinated care plans with interdisciplinary team members
• Assisted in the oversight of program operations

General Wellness Coordinator (Graduate Assistant) | Class Lecturer at Purdue University (2004 – 2007)

• Coordinated & executed campus-wide health campaigns for diverse student populations using a variety of media
• Delivered 28+ presentations & workshops on a variety of health topics to student groups & clubs
• Increased sales of heart-healthy foods in dining halls via nutrition education messages during American Heart Month
• Managed $6500 budget & procured donated prizes for large-scale on-campus 'De-Stress Fest' for 1200+ students
• Built collaborative relationships across campus partners to support engagement & program participation
• Served as limited-time Lecturer for a health promotion course in the Dept of Health & Kinesiology
• Earned Certified Health Education Specialist (CHES) credential

Personal Trainer at Ishmail Center, Purdue University (2004 – 2007)

• Conducted comprehensive fitness assessments for faculty, staff, & retirees
• Led Fall Proof™ (balance & mobility) group classes for older adults in a non-assisted living facility
• Demonstrated safe & proper use of fitness equipment

BS in Coordinated Program in Dietetics – Purdue University (2009)

MS in Health Promotion – Purdue University (2006)

BSE in Health Science – University of Arkansas (2002)