Joan Guthrie Medlen, Med, RD

Joan Guthrie Medlen, MEd, RD is a registered, licensed dietitian with an advanced certificate in weight management and health literacy. She focuses her diverse work on coaching people with intellectual and developmental disabilities, their families,  and those who support them to create quality lives, quality health, and a community vision.   Joan is a prolific writer. Her work includes The Down Syndrome Nutrition Handbook: A Guide to Healthy Lifestyles,  which is was the first book to look at health promotion for people with Down syndrome. In 2011 Joan published Cooking By Color: Recipes for Independence  a collection of recipes for people with IDD looking to live on their own.  Joan is the recipient of many awards, including the 2011 medical professional of the year from the Oregon Disability Megaconference. She also serves on a variety of editorial and advisory boards locally, nationally, and internationally, and is an active advocate in the dietetic and Down syndrome communities. Joan is a native Oregonian and the mother of two grown boys, one of whom has autism, Down syndrome, and celiac disease.