Dr Dexter Shurney’s life was a testament to the power of food, compassion, and vision. A physician, innovator, and tireless advocate for plant-based living, he dedicated his career to showing the world that health is not found in prescriptions alone, but in the choices we make every day at the table.
His passing on December 1, leaves a profound gap in the lifestyle medicine community, but his work continues to inspire a global movement toward healthier, more sustainable living.
Shurney was more than a doctor; he was a pioneer. As Immediate Past-President of the American College of Lifestyle Medicine (ACLM), he helped shape the organisation into a leading force for evidence-based nutrition and preventive care. His leadership brought plant-based nutrition to the forefront of medical practice, empowering clinicians to embrace food as medicine and patients to reclaim their health through whole, plant-based foods.
Dr Shurney believed prevention was not only possible but essential. His vision was clear: if we nourish ourselves with plants, move our bodies, and connect with one another, we can prevent the chronic diseases that burden families and communities worldwide.
His influence extended far beyond professional societies. At Blue Zones, he served as Chief Health & Well-Being Officer, guiding research and partnerships that replicated the longevity practices of the world’s healthiest communities. His work demonstrated that plant-forward diets, daily movement, and social connection are not luxuries but necessities for long, vibrant lives.
Workplace wellness
Earlier, at Adventist Health and Cummins, Inc., he pioneered workplace wellness programs that integrated plant-based nutrition into employee health strategies. These initiatives proved that healthier eating could reduce healthcare costs, improve productivity, and enhance quality of life. He showed corporations and communities alike that investing in plant-based wellness was both compassionate and practical.
Dr Shurney also contributed to academia as a faculty member at Vanderbilt University, mentoring future physicians and researchers in preventive medicine and public health. His scholarship emphasised the intersection of nutrition, equity, and systemic change.
In recognition of his lifelong commitment, the Ardmore Institute of Health and HERO established the Dexter Shurney, MD Well-being Fellowship, ensuring that his vision of equity and lifestyle medicine will continue to inspire new generations.
At the heart of Dr Shurney’s work was equity. He believed that access to healthy food and preventive care was a matter of justice, not privilege. His advocacy for plant-based nutrition was never limited to science alone; it was rooted in compassion and fairness. He worked tirelessly to bridge gaps in healthcare delivery, ensuring that communities most affected by chronic disease could benefit from the healing power of plants.
Colleagues often described him as a mentor who opened doors for young physicians, particularly those from underrepresented backgrounds. His generosity of spirit and humility made him not only a leader but a friend to many.
Dr Shurney’s passing has been met with tributes from across the lifestyle medicine community. Leaders have called him a “giant” and a “visionary,” and his influence is evident in every hospital meal that prioritises plants, every workplace wellness program that embraces prevention, and every physician inspired to integrate lifestyle medicine into practice.
Dr Shurney died at a residential care facility in Medford, Oregon. He was 67.
