Physicians Committee Hosts Fifth-Annual International Conference on Nutrition in Medicine in Washington, D.C., on July 28 to 29, 2017

WASHINGTON—More than 600 international health care providers attend the fifth-annual International Conference on Nutrition in Medicine at the Grand Hyatt in Washington, D.C., on July 28 and 29, 2017.

Neal Barnard, M.D., F.A.C.C., and the nonprofit Physicians Committee host the annual conference, accredited by the George Washington University School of Medicine and Health Sciences, at a time when one in two adults suffer from at least one chronic health condition. The Partnership to Fight Chronic Disease reports that this accounts for 90 percent of Medicare and Medicaid health care spending.

Dr. Barnard’s goal is to empower clinicians and future doctors to help patients treat, prevent, and, in some cases, reverse chronic disease with a plant-based dietary intervention.

“In order to make health care work for everyone, we have to get healthy,” says Neal Barnard, M.D., F.A.C.C. “Modern-day disease needs a modern-day prescription, which starts by building meals around nutrient-packed, plant-based foods.”

In addition to gaining insight about the science and practical applications of nutrition counseling, attending clinicians and medical students will learn about cutting-edge research, from obesity and the microbiome to the role intermittent fasting plays in helping patients break through weight-loss plateaus.

The following session will air live with playback:

Friday, July 28

9:15 to 10 a.m. E.T.: Nutrition Essentials: What Every Clinician Needs to Know 

Neal Barnard, M.D., F.A.C.C., George Washington University School of Medicine and Health Sciences

1:45 to 2:30 p.m. E.T.: Heart-Healthy Nutrition in Practice

Robert Ostfeld, M.D., MS.c., F.A.C.C., Montefiore Medical Center

3:30 to 4:15 p.m. E.T.: Diet, Stress, and Cellular Aging 

Cindy Leung, Sc.D., M.P.H., University of California, San Francisco School of Medicine

Saturday, July 29

10:45-11:45 a.m. E.T.: What You Can Do to Change Federal Food Policy

Susan Levin, M.S., R.D., C.S.S.D., Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine

Cindy Leung, Sc.D., M.P.H., University of California, San Francisco School of Medicine

Kyle Ash, M.A., L.L.M., Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine

4:15-5:00 p.m. E.T.: Resetting Your Clock with Nutrition: Meal Frequency and Timing

Hana Kahleova, M.D., Ph.D., Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine

“We live in a digital age where studies populate by the minute and influence patient health outcomes and behavior,” says Dr. Barnard. “Our goal is to sit down, discuss the research, and talk about the best ways to communicate peer-reviewed research with patients who have unique challenges, yet bring unique opportunities to influence their families and communities.”

The conference includes 17 panels, divided into topical areas: key nutrition concepts, practical tips for providers, and cutting-edge research. Physicians, nurses, and dietitians can earn up to 15 continuing medical education (CME) credits.

Attendees have the chance to fuel their bodies and minds with nutrient-dense meals, including powerhouse kale salads, Harissa-spiked vegetable kabobs with toasted couscous and fresh preserves, beet risotto with asparagus and corn succotash, squash linguine with pineapple relish, and bean chili with country cornbread. Dessert includes grilled peaches and mixed berry bowls. Hydration stations provide water infused with cucumber and mint, coffee, and green tea.

By putting the prescription into practice, clinicians have the chance to sample the evidence-based research firsthand. As Dr. Barnard often notes, these health care providers are in the midst of a medical breakthrough, moving from innocent bystanders to transformative health care leaders.

CME videos will upload to NutritionCME.org later this year.