Dean Ornish, MD

Best known for groundbreaking work in cardiovascular disease, Dean Ornish, MD, is founder of the non-profit Preventive Medicine Research Institute and Clinical Professor of Medicine at UCSF.  Dr. Ornish's clinical research has demonstrated—for the first time—that integrative medicine interventions may reverse the progression of coronary heart disease without the use of drugs or surgery.  His work, which has inspired millions of people to change their lifestyles, is now used in hospitals throughout the United States. He directed the first Medicare demonstration project of integrative medicine and recently completed the first randomized trial demonstrating that this integrative medicine program may reverse the progression of prostate cancer.  The author of more than five bestselling books, Dr. Ornish is literally changing the way America eats.  He is currently consulting with the CEOs of McDonalds, PepsiCo, Con Agra, Del Monte, and Safeway to help them manufacture more healthful foods and to provide health education to their customers here and abroad. Recently, he helped facilitate an agreement with the major soft drink companies, the Clinton Foundation, and the American Heart Association to remove sweetened beverages and unhealthy snacks from elementary schools.  He writes a monthly column for Newsweek and Reader's Digest.  He is on the board of the United Nations High Commission on Refugees, the Quincy Jones Foundation, and the San Francisco Food Bank. Dr. Ornish has received numerous awards, was featured in the "TIME 100" issue, and chosen by LIFE magazine as "one of the 50 most influential members of his generation."