Hippocrates said it best back in B.C.: “Let food be thy medicine.” Unfortunately, it’s taking today’s medical community a long time to heed his warning.
Luckily, a handful of forward-thinking, science-minded organizations and individuals are finally advocating for the power of plant-based diets, and the Physician’s Committee for Responsible Medicine (PCRM) is at the forefront.
As part of its commitment to nutritional advocacy, the group is set to open a nonprofit plant-based medical center in Washington, DC,—one that’ll be focused entirely around Hippocrates’ wise words.
The plant-based Barnard Medical Center will open on Nov. 2, 2015, offering primary care to thousands of patients per year.
Running the show will be Neal Barnard, M.D., founder and medical director, plus three physicians, one nurse practitioner, and two registered dietitians. The staffers will help clients create custom treatment plans designed to prevent and/or treat chronic conditions and other medical needs.
“With six full-time clinicians, we’ll be able to see about 4,000 patients each year,” Dr. Barnard told LatestVeganNews.com.
The clinic will help people change their lifestyles from top to bottom. As medical professionals, they’ll still be able to write prescriptions and perform standard medical tests, but as the team says in their announcement: “Although we can prescribe medications, we prefer to help you minimize your need for them.”
There’s also a major education component to the facility, says Dr. Barnard.
“Barnard Medical Center will be one of the first clinics of its kind, hosting regular Food for Life classes to educate the community and Barnard Medical Center patients about foods for optimal health and disease prevention,” he explains.
Class specializations will include weight loss, type 2 diabetes, heart disease, and different types of pain, including migraines, joint pain, and menstrual cramps.
“Nutrition and lifestyle changes will be at the forefront of treatment,” he explains. At the clinic, the root causes of diseases will be treated—versus just focusing on symptom relief like most modern medical facilities.
The clinic will be setting up shop at 5100 Wisconsin Ave., Suite 401, Washington, DC 20016 on Nov. 2nd, so DC-area residents have a lot to look forward to. Let’s hope Barnard goes on to conquer every city in the U.S.—lord knows we need it.
You can learn more about the Barnard Medical Center on PCRM’s website.
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That's fantastic news. I'll be one of the first patients there!
Awesome! Can't wait to hear your feedback.
Please make sure you spell the name right -- Barnard Medical Center
Thanks for the typo alert! Out of the thousands of people who've read this story, you're the only one who caught it. ;) We fixed!
Wish we had this in Scotland!
Thank you Hannah Sentenac & staff for posting & informing us about this & many other super Awesome articles/newsletters supporting all animal loving-compassionate vegan's daily survival resources. Your articles are very informative, useful, smart, resourceful & filled with compassion! Dr Beal Barnard of the PCRM we're proud of you, your Colleagues & supportive staff, thank you all, from all of us animal loving -compassionate vegan & vegetarian friends. We're grateful for you being in the forefront of speaking the truth about all animal eating negative health complications & illnesses encouraging everyone to eat plant based diets to help them prevent diseases! Wish you all the best in expanding all around the globe, to be the founding fathers & foundation of the ever expanding disease preventative herb based medical treatment centers everywhere in the world! You're our hero! I'll be more than happy to help speed up your expansion by being a part of your magnificent clinics/teaching classes in anyway I can help here in L.A.,Ca. I can be reached
Loveartmusic123@yahoo.com
Wish you all the best! Thank you!
Annie A.
You're so welcome Annie! Thank you for the kind words. The future is bright. :)
That is a wonderful news . I love it!!! World is awakening !!! If he decides to open one in Florida ,maybe Naples or so :-) I would love to work and help in any way I can ! The best luck! Blessings !
Very excited about this. I live in DC and work as a plant-based health coach! Excited for the opportunities this clinic brings to the DC-area!
Do you have an idea as to when the opening ceremony will be? And can anyone attend the opening? I attended PlantStock last week, and Dr. Barnard announced this -- much excitement!
Specifically, what time the ceremony will take place -- I now know the date!
It seems very strange to me that most people think they are making free and informed choices about what they eat when in reality, they have donated their organs to the meat and dairy industry . The meat and dairy industry in turn, over time, gave rise to the medical industrial complex which created a book called the Physicians Desk Reference . We've all heard of it and seen it's gargantuan size, filled with every pill made, indications, side effects, and ALL in response to the food being promoted as normal and natural. Organ donation to the meat, dairy and medical industrial complex is very patriotic, considering US "health care" is heralded as 14% of GDP....Organ failure is a commodity being paid by those who beat their clogged and cracked chests while chanting, "don't tell me what to eat". REALLY! Fascinating that on the new Walmart addition, are the words, "MARKET AND PHARMACY".. Seems the concept of food is as upside down as the politics, religion and consumerism that invests in it while ignoring the consequences. That's all about to change thanks to a growing handful of moral doctors who KNOW root cause of disease.
I want to know how to get an appointment. Also what insurances do you accept?