Western Carolina University
College of Health and Human Sciences
3971 Little Savannah Road
Cullowhee, NORTH CAROLINA 28723
US
Margaret Folsom Downs, MS, RDN, LDN, CSSD, ACSM EP-C
Certified John Maxwell Speaker, Trainer, and Coach
Margaret has been a Registered Dietitian/ Nutritionist for two decades. She currently teaches in the Nutrition and Dietetics program at Western Carolina University in Cullowhee, NC. She is a Certified Specialist in Sports Dietetics (CSSD), an ACSM Exercise Physiologist-Certified (EP-C), and has developed expertise in therapeutic applications to behavior change, counseling, and eating disorders, as well as; foodservice management, leadership, operations, and distribution. Margaret worked for the US Foods health care division as an Account Executive after effectively leading and managing health care foodservice operations for many years. Her educational pursuits have lead Margaret to living a life dedicated to health and wellness which she believes helps drive one toward excellence and discipline physically, mentally, and spiritually. She has participated in many leadership roles throughout the years and regularly engages in coaching and speaking through her role as a faculty member. She has done TV cooking demonstrations, radio talk shows, professional presentations, and actively leads the Student Association of Nutrition and Dietetics (SAND). She has worked in many different practice settings with all age groups and various populations. This has given her a strong ability to communicate and work with and among diverse groups of people. Part of her teaching philosophy is to engage students not only intellectually but also creatively toward development of their full potential.
She plans to use her career and life experiences to help guide and motivate individuals and groups toward being more productive, communicative, effective, and thriving in the workplace, and the world at-large. RDN’s have to be prepared to lead organizations and people in driving the future of healthcare business and preventative services. This requires a strong professional skillset with an emphasis on leadership and interpersonal communication.
Specialties
Healthy Eating
Nutrient Analysis
Weight Management
General Nutrition, Wellness
Foodservice/Restaurant Management
Writing for Online and Print
Eating Disorders
Childhood Obesity
Education, Teaching, Training
Food Service
Public Speaking, Lecturing
Sports Nutrition
Dieting
Food Safety
Work History
Clinical - general practice, inpatient and outpatient; Weight Management- adults, children, athletes; Counseling- Eating Disorders; Sports Nutrition; Management and Leadership- food and nutrition systems; Teaching and Research- exercise science and nutrition
Education
MS Exercise Science
BS Nutrition and Dietetics
John Maxwell Certified Speaker, Trainer, and Coach
Focus Age
All
Memberships
Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics (AND)
American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM)
North Carolina Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics
Sports, Cardiovascular, and Wellness Nutritionists- DPG (SCAN)
Management in Food and Nutrition Systems - DPG
Payment Methods
Cash, credit card, or check
Insurance Taken
Blue Cross Blue Shield NC
Qualifications
Awards: Who's Who Among Students in American Universities and Colleges, 2003-2004
US Foods Account Executive of the Year, 2013-2014
Registration State: NORTH CAROLINA
Registered with the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics