Laura Gann MPH, RDN, LDN she/her

Registered Dietitian Nutritionist

Laura is a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist (RDN) and Licensed Dietitian Nutritionist (LDN) with extensive experience in sports nutrition, eating disorder nutritional counseling, higher levels of care treatment, and community health. Her academic background includes earning a Master of Public Health (MPH) from New York University's College of Global Public Health, with an emphasis on Nutrition. Additionally, she completed her Dietetic Internship at OSF Saint Francis Medical Center. Her undergraduate education comprises a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology and a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology from Drake University, with a concentration in Global and Comparative Public Health. Her multidisciplinary education provides her with a comprehensive understanding of human behavior and societal influences on health, enhancing her ability to deliver personalized and effective care to her clients. Additionally, her personal background includes competing in Division One Track and Field and Cross Country during college, as well as six years of post-collegiate competition with a competitive club team, which motivated her to pursue a career in dietetics.

Her Approach

Laura’s approach is rooted in dismantling diet culture, encouraging individuals to break free from its constraints, and fostering a sense of liberation around food choices. With a Master of Public Health degree, she brings a comprehensive understanding of public health principles to her practice. Her passion lies in continuing to work with individuals who face the challenges of eating disorders. She is particularly interested in the intersection between athletics and eating disorders, and her goal is to assist individuals in reintegrating sports into their recovery journey.

She believes that everyone deserves to live without the burden of intrusive thoughts about food, and she works to create a supportive environment where this can happen. By promoting food freedom, she helps individuals develop a harmonious relationship with both food and their bodies, promoting overall well-being. Her mission as a dietitian is to empower individuals to embrace a balanced and positive approach to nutrition, enhancing their quality of life while nourishing their physical and emotional health.

Areas of Expertise

  • Eating disorders and disordered eating recovery

  • Sports nutrition

  • Offering a safe space for post-bariatric clients needing nutritional counseling support

  • Attuned and mindfulness based eating & self-care

  • Non-diet, weight neutral, body inclusive approach to well-being 

  • LGBTQ+ welcoming & affirming care

  • Nutritional counseling of all ages across the lifespan

  • Experienced facilitator of nutrition support groups

  • Health At Every Size (HAES®) Expert:

    • As a HAES® dietitian expert, she is committed to practicing and advocating for size inclusivity, health enhancement, respectful care, eating for well-being, and life-enhancing movement. Interested individuals can explore the Association for Size Diversity and Health (ASDAH) statement of the HAES® Principles here.

Specialized Training

  • ServSafe Certification 2020

Education

  • Masters in Public Health, New York University: College of Global Public Health

    • Emphasis: Nutrition

  • Dietetic Internship at OSF Saint Francis Medical Center

  • Bachelor of Arts in Psychology, Drake University

  • Bachelor of Arts in Sociology, Drake University

    • Concentration: Global and Comparative Public Health

Publications

  • Langford, A. T., Solid, C. A., Gann, L. C., Rabinowitz, E. P., Williams, S. K., &; Seixas, A. A. (2018). Beliefs about the causes of hypertension and associations with pro-health behaviors. Health Psychology. Advance online publication. http://dx.doi.org/10.1037/hea0000687