Biographical Sketch

Dean Ornish, M.D., is the founder and president of the non-profit Preventive Medicine Research Institute in Sausalito, California, where he holds the Safeway Chair. He is Clinical Professor of Medicine at the University of California, San Francisco. Dr. Ornish received his medical training in internal medicine from the Baylor College of Medicine, Harvard Medical School, and the Massachusetts General Hospital. He received a B.A. in Humanities summa cum laude from the University of Texas in Austin, where he gave the baccalaureate address.

For over 32 years, Dr. Ornish has directed clinical research demonstrating, for the first time, that comprehensive lifestyle changes may begin to reverse even severe coronary heart disease, without drugs or surgery. Recently, Medicare agreed to provide coverage for this program, the first time that Medicare has covered a program of comprehensive lifestyle changes. He directed the first randomized controlled trial demonstrating that comprehensive lifestyle changes may stop or reverse the progression of early-stage prostate cancer. His current research showed that comprehensive lifestyle changes affect gene expression, “turning on” disease-preventing genes and “turning off” genes that promote cancer and heart disease, as well as lengthening telomeres, the ends of chromosomes that control how long we live, in collaboration with Dr. Elizabeth Blackburn, who was awarded the Nobel Prize in Medicine in 2009.

He is the author of six best-selling books, including New York Times’ bestsellers Dr. Dean Ornish's Program for Reversing Heart Disease; Eat More, Weigh Less; Love & Survival; and his most recent book, The Spectrum.

The research that he and his colleagues conducted has been published in the Journal of the American Medical Association, The Lancet, Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, Circulation, The New England Journal of Medicine, the American Journal of Cardiology, and elsewhere. A one-hour documentary of their work was broadcast on NOVA, the PBS science series, and was featured on Bill Moyers' PBS series, Healing & The Mind. Their work has been featured in all major media, including cover stories in Newsweek, Time, and U.S. News & World Report. He has written a monthly column for Newsweek and Reader’s Digest magazines and is Medical Editor of The Huffington Post, which has 22 million unique readers per month.

Dr. Ornish is a member of the boards of directors of the San Francisco Food Bank, the U.S. United Nations High Commission on Refugees, the J. Craig Venter Institute, and the advisory board of the Quincy Jones Foundation at the Harvard School of Public Health. He was appointed to the White House Commission on Complementary and Alternative Medicine Policy and elected to the California Academy of Medicine. He consults with food companies to make more healthful foods and to provide health education to their customers in this country and worldwide. He chairs the Google Health Advisory Council.

He has received several awards, including the 1994 Outstanding Young Alumnus Award from the University of Texas, Austin, the University of California, Berkeley, “National Public Health Hero” award, the Jan J. Kellermann Memorial Award for distinguished contribution in the field of cardiovascular disease prevention from the International Academy of Cardiology, a Presidential Citation from the American Psychological Association, the Beckmann Medal from the German Society for Prevention and Rehabilitation of Cardiovascular Diseases, the “Pioneer in Integrative Medicine” award from California Pacific Medical Center, the Golden Plate Award from the American Academy of Achievement, a U.S. Army Surgeon General Medal, and the Bravewell Collaborative Pioneer of Integrative Medicine award. Dr. Ornish has been a physician consultant to President Clinton since 1993 and to several bipartisan members of the U.S. Congress, and he consulted with the chefs at The White House, Camp David, and Air Force One to cook more healthfully (1993-2000). He is listed in Who’s Who in Healthcare and Medicine, Who’s Who in America, and Who’s Who in the World. He recently gave a keynote speech reviewing the science of integrative medicine at the Institute of Medicine’s Summit on Integrative Medicine at the National Academy of Sciences.

Dr. Ornish was recognized as “one of the most interesting people of 1996” by People magazine, selected as one of the “TIME 100” in integrative medicine, chosen by LIFE magazine as “one of the fifty most influential members of his generation” and by Forbes magazine as “one of the seven most powerful teachers in the world.”

 

 

For press or speaking inquires related to Dr. Ornish, please contact Tandis Alizadeh

Phone 415.332.2525 x229
Email: Tandis Alizadeh (Tandis@pmri.org)

2009:

1/29 & 1/30 Mount Royal College Integrative Health Institute Lecture & Grand Rounds

2/2 - 2/7 TED Conference- Long Beach, CA

2/25 - 2/27 Institute of Medicine Summit -Washington DC:

3/5 - 3/8 Symposium on Yoga Therapy and Research - Keynote, Los Angeles, CA

3/16 19th annual Art and Science of Health Promotion Conference - Keynote, Moscone Center- San Francisco, CA

5/21 Frontiers of Science Lecture at the American Psychiatric Association Annual Meeting - San Francisco, CA.

9/16 Mayo Clinic Grand Rounds- Rochester, Minn

10/22-24 PopTech Conference- Camden, Maine

10/27-30 TedMed Conference- San Diego, CA

11/4 Bravewell Collaborative- NY, NY

11/12 Society of Integrative Oncology Keynote

12/8 Michael Pollan with Dr. Dean Ornish - JCC-SF

12/12 Sundance Tree Room Author Series- Sundance, UT

 

2010:

1/14 UCB School of Public Health Advisory Council

2/22-2/23 Imagine Solutions Conference - Naples, FL

5/27 Functional Medicine Conference - Carlsbad, CA

 

Dr. Dean Ornish discusses health reform on Larry King Live
www.cnn.com

Senate Health Reform Testimony

Watch Testmony: http://help.senate.gov
Read Full testimony: PDF

Institute of Medicine's 'Summit on Integrative Medicine'
On February 26, 2009, Dr. Ornish presented the keynote lecture on reviewing the science of integrative medicine: www.iom.edu
Watch Dr. Ornish's lecture: www.imsummitwebcast.org 
View the slides of Dr. Ornish's lecture: (PDF)

Dean Ornish says your genes are not your fate | TED Talk Video
at: www.ted.com

Dean Ornish on the world's killer diet | TED Talk Video
at: www.ted.com

Dean Ornish on healing | TED Talk Video
at: www.ted.com

Dean Ornish on Stopping Prostate Cancer
Good Morning America

Dean Ornish on Treating the Whole Patient
Good Morning America

Dean Ornish on Breakthroughs in Cancer
Good Morning America

Dean Ornish on Charlie Rose
view here

A Lifesaving Legacy
Judah Folkman transformed our understanding of cancer. Now his groundbreaking work is leading to new strategies for fighting obesity, Alzheimer's and scores of other conditions.

A Plan for Overweight Kids
The childhood obesity epidemic has been called 'the terrorist threat from within.' Now researchers armed with $500 million are taking aim at this public health disaster.

Bigger Brains, Better Genes
Believe it or not, those are among the benefits of exercising more and eating healthier.

Changing Your Lifestyle Can Change Your Genes
New research shows that improved diet, meditation and other non-medical interventions can actually "turn off" the diseasepromoting process in men with prostate cancer.

Chocolate to Live For
Not only does it taste good, studies show that it improves blood flow to your heart, lowers blood pressure, and other good stuff. What you need to know about a sweet and healthy favorite.

Ending the Sick Care System
Sen. Tom Harkin on why America cannot afford to skimp on preventive health care

Feel Better, Live Longer
Love and joy are the real secrets to healthy living.

Forget About Willpower
The real secret to sticking to your New Year's resolutions is knowing why you want to lose weight and live healthier. Fear of dying is not sustainable; joy of living is.

From Breakdown to Breakthrough
Proven strategies for helping you survive the stress and anxiety of trying times.

Genes are Only Part of the Story
In most cases, diet and lifestyle changes trump DNA if you're willing to make big enough changes.

Lifestyle Changes, Regime Changes
Fear doesn't work--whether it's in politics or at the breakfast table.

Lighten Up
New studies show that stress not only makes you gain weight, but it affects what you eat and even where you pack on those extra pounds. What you can do to stop it.

Like Parent, Like Child
The diet and lifestyle choices you make don't just affect you.

Talking with Edwards About Health Reform
In the first of a series, our columnist explores the candidates' positions on fixing the way we pay for medical care.

The Collapse of Primary Care
Disaster looms as medical students abandon family practice for higher-paying sub-specialties.

The Dark Side of Good Fats
While omega-3 fatty acids offer health benefits to most people, new research has found they may be dangerous to some patients.

The Garbage Trucks in Your Blood
The recent failure of a potential blockbuster drug designed to increase so-called 'good cholesterol' raises important issues about diet and heart health. What is HDL, anyway?

The Never-ending Diet Wars
A new study reports that the Atkins diet can be just as healthy as a low-fat diet. But don't start buying bacon yet. This research has some serious flaws.

The Toxic Power of Racism
Recent studies document the harmful effects of discrimination on our health.

Tortured Logic
There are important reasons why the most sacred medical oaths and doctrines prohibit doctors from participating in torture in any way.

What Matters Most
That simple question can play a powerful role in healing our lives.

Why Health Insurance Doesn't Work
Because of a growing awareness that the current system is unsustainable, reformers are promoting disease prevention. A look at one campaign leader.

Yes, Prevention is Cheaper than Treatment
Don't be misled by recent reports, changes in diet and lifestyle are still the most effective way to lower health-care costs. You'll feel better, too.

A Peek into Dr. Dean Ornish's Pantry
Dr. Dean Ornish and his family practice what he preaches and it shows.

The Great Olive Oil Misconception
Dr. Ornish answers questions about the health value of canola oil versus olive oil.

Bust a Myth, Get a Benefit
Dr. Ornish sets us straight on common diet myths.

Fed Up? The Truth About Low Calorie Diets
Dr. Dean Ornish takes a hard look at the recent study about low-fat diets.

Adding Fats the Right Way
5 easy ways to add healthy fats to your diet.

Superfoods to Fall For
This year's harvest is a veritable medicine chest.

Eat Well in Aisle Two: Shopping Healthy at the Grocery Store
It's easier than ever to eat healthfully on the run, even at the
supermarket.

The Simple Way to Beat Disease
Make your own juice to increase your consumption of healthy fruits and vegetables.

These Bugs Make You Better
Probiotic bacteria love your guts.

5 Spices for Better Health
Some spices are much more than just flavor enhancers.

Meditation Basics
Slowing down is important. Meditation can help.

Trouble Losing Weight? Try This
Individual variations in biology, not just willpower, may play a role in weight loss.

The Truth About Diet and Cancer
Some recent studies suggest that a low-fat diet will not reduce cancer rates, but the facts speak for themselves.

New Warning on Omega-3s
Omega-3 fatty acids are not for everyone. Find out who should avoid taking this supplement.

 

Selected Book Chapters

Ornish D, Hart J. Intensive Risk Factor Modification. In: Hennekens C, Manson J, eds. Clinical Trials in Cardiovascular Disease. Boston: W.B. Saunders, 1998 (companion to the Braunwald standard cardiology textbook)

Billings J, Scherwitz L, Sullivan R, Ornish D. Group support therapy in the Lifestyle Heart Trial. In: Scheidt S, Allan R, eds. Heart and Mind: The Emergence of Cardiac Psychology. Washington, DC: American Psychological Association; 1996: 233-253

Moyers, B. "Changing Life Habits: A Conversation with Dean Ornish." In: Healing and the Mind. New York: Doubleday, 1993

Ornish DM. Heart disease. In: How Your Mind Affects Your Health. New York: Institute for the Advancement of Health, 1990

Ornish DM. Stress and coronary heart disease: new concepts. In: Carlson RJ, Newman B, eds. For Your Health. New York: C.V. Mosby, 1987

Selected Abstracts

Merritt T, Ornish D, Scherwitz L, Billings J, Elliott M, Lipsenthal L. The effects of intensive lifestyle changes on coronary heart disease risk factors and clinical status in self-selected heart patients. Journal of Cardiopulmonary Rehabilitation. 1995; 15: 353

Gould KL, Buchi M, Kirkeeide RL, Ornish D, Stein E, Brand R. Reversal of coronary artery stenosis with cholesterol lowering in man followed by arteriography and positron emission tomography. J Nucl Med. 1989; 30: 345

Ornish DM, Gotto AM, Miller RR, et al. Effects of a vegetarian diet and selected yoga techniques in the treatment of coronary heart disease. Clinical Research. 1979; 27: 720A

Selected Letters

Ornish D. New Heart Studies Question the Value of Opening Arteries. The New York Times, March 27, 2004

Ornish D. A diet for the heart. The New York Times, November 22, 2002

Ornish D. What if it’s all a big fat lie? The New York Times Sunday Magazine, July 21, 2002

Dunn-Emke S, Weidner G, Ornish D. Benefits of a low-fat plant-based diet. Obesity Research. 2001; 9(11): 731

Ornish D. High-fiber diets and colorectal adenomas. The New England Journal of Medicine. 2000; 343: 736-738

Ornish D. Very-low fat diets. Circulation. 1999; 100(9): 1013-5

Ornish D. Should a low-fat, high-carbohydrate diet be recommended for everyone? The New England Journal of Medicine. 1998; 338(2): 127-129

Ornish D. Serum lipids after a low-fat diet. Journal of the American Medical Association. 1998; 279(17): 1345-6

Ornish D. Dietary fat and ischemic stroke. Journal of the American Medical Association. 1998; 279(15): 1172

Ornish D. More on low-fat diets. The New England Journal of Medicine. 1998; 338(22): 1623-1624

Ornish D, Brown SE. Treatment of and screening for hyperlipidemia. The New England Journal of Medicine. 1993; 329(15): 1124-5

Ornish D. What if Americans ate less fat? Journal of the American Medical Association. 1992; 267(3): 362

Ornish D. "Dietary saturated fatty acids and low-density or high-density lipoprotein cholesterol." The New England Journal of Medicine. 1990; 322: 403

Ornish DM, Brown SE, Scherwitz LW, et al. Lifestyle changes and heart disease. The Lancet. 1990; 336: 741-2

Selected Editorials

Ornish D. The Atkins-Ornish-South Beach-Zone Diet. TIME magazine, June 13, 2004

Ornish D. The case for low fat. TIME magazine, August 26, 2002

Ornish D. A diet rich in partial truths. The New York Times, July 13, 2002