Dr. Neal D. Barnard, MD, FACC

Neal D. Barnard, MD, FACC, is a physician and clinical researcher in plant based nutrition whose base is George Washington University School of Medicine and Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine in Washington, District of Columbia and whose field is plant-based nutrition, diabetes and preventive medicine research. The current appointment of Dr. Neal Barnard is Adjunct Professor of Medicine and President of the Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine.

His principal interests are plant-based diets in type 2 diabetes management; nutrition and cognitive health; and preventive medicine and chronic disease reversal.

Doctors who move into nutrition research produce the studies that underpin national dietary guidance, and many also teach the next generation of clinicians. Dr. Neal Barnard is associated above all with plant-based nutrition, diabetes and preventive medicine research.

Dr. Neal Barnard At A Glance

• Full Name And Credentials: Neal D. Barnard, MD, FACC
• Profession: Physician and clinical researcher in plant based nutrition
• Field Of Focus: Plant-based nutrition, diabetes and preventive medicine research
• Current Position: Adjunct Professor of Medicine and President of the Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine
• Institution: George Washington University School of Medicine and Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine
• Location: Washington, District of Columbia
• Sees Patients: Yes, in a clinical setting

Academic And Professional Credentials Of Dr. Neal Barnard

The qualifications below are drawn from the institutional, professional body and publisher sources listed at the end of this profile.

• Undergraduate: BA, Macalester College
• Medical Degree: MD, George Washington University School of Medicine
• Residency: Completed at George Washington University, with training in psychiatry
• Professional Standing: Fellow of the American College of Cardiology

Dr. Neal Barnard Subspecialty Expertise

Published professional sources describe the work of Dr. Neal Barnard as centred on:

• Plant-based diets in type 2 diabetes management
• Nutrition and cognitive health
• Preventive medicine and chronic disease reversal
• Nutrition education in medical training
• Dietary approaches to weight and metabolic health

Appointments And Leadership Roles Of Dr. Neal Barnard

• Founder and President, Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine, established 1985
• Adjunct Professor of Medicine, George Washington University School of Medicine, since 2003
• Founder of the Barnard Medical Center in Washington, opened January 2016, offering primary care with nutrition guidance
• Founder of The Washington Center for Clinical Research, 2004, a non-profit conducting nutrition and health research
• Principal investigator on clinical trials of plant-based diets in type 2 diabetes
• Author of A Nutrition Guide for Clinicians and of books on diet and brain health

Dr. Neal Barnard Awards And Distinctions

• Fellow of the American College of Cardiology
• Built the Physicians Committee into an organisation with about 150,000 members, including 12,000 physicians
• Led successful campaigns to introduce nutrition teaching into medical school curricula
• Serves without compensation as president of two non-profit organisations

Dr. Neal Barnard Primary Location

George Washington University School of Medicine and Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine

Washington, District of Columbia. Clinical commitments at this institution are arranged through its own departments and services. Confirm the current address, department and telephone number with the institution before travelling, because academic appointments and clinic sites change.

What Plant Based Nutrition Involves

Plant based nutrition and lifestyle medicine use diet, activity, sleep and stress management as a primary tool for preventing and in some cases reversing chronic disease. Trials in this area have tested whole food plant predominant diets in type 2 diabetes, raised cholesterol and cardiovascular disease. The approach does not require everyone to become vegan, and it works best when supervised, particularly for anyone on medication for blood sugar or blood pressure, because doses often need adjusting as the diet changes.

Experts With Knowledge Comparable To Dr. Neal Barnard

If you are comparing specialists, these profiles cover closely related areas of nutrition:

• Dr. David Katz, lifestyle and preventive medicine at True Health Initiative and Tangelo
• Dr. Joel Fuhrman, nutritional medicine at Private family medicine practice in New Jersey and the Eat To Live Retreat
• Dr. Michael Greger, plant based nutrition at NutritionFacts.org
• Dr. Penny Kris-Etherton, cardiovascular nutrition at Pennsylvania State University

Browse the full dietitian and nutritionist directory for more specialists.

Booking And Referral Information For Dr. Neal Barnard

Dr. Neal Barnard founded the Barnard Medical Center, which provides primary care with an emphasis on nutrition, and serves as its president without compensation. Access is usually arranged through the institution, a referring doctor or its own clinic rather than through this directory. Insurance participation, fees and waiting times vary by institution and by plan, and they change over time, so check coverage with both the institution and your insurer before scheduling. Use the enquiry button on this page to ask about availability.

Key Questions About Dr. Neal Barnard

What are the qualifications of Dr. Neal Barnard?

Neal D. Barnard, MD, FACC. Fellow of the American College of Cardiology.

What position does Dr. Neal Barnard hold?

Dr. Neal Barnard is Adjunct Professor of Medicine and President of the Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine, based at George Washington University School of Medicine and Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine.

What is Plant Based Nutrition?

Plant Based Nutrition is the area of nutrition science concerned with plant-based nutrition, diabetes and preventive medicine research. Specialists working in it, including Dr. Neal Barnard, study how diet relates to health and translate those findings into guidance.

Has Dr. Neal Barnard received professional recognition?

Yes. Fellow of the American College of Cardiology. Further awards and distinctions are listed above.

Does Dr. Neal Barnard hold leadership roles in the field?

Yes. Founder and President, Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine, established 1985. A fuller list of appointments appears above.

Can I rely on dietary advice published by Dr. Neal Barnard?

Published work by Dr. Neal Barnard is peer reviewed and sourced, and is a reasonable guide to the evidence. It is not personal medical advice. Anyone who is pregnant, taking medication for blood sugar or blood pressure, or living with kidney, liver or digestive disease should get individual advice before changing their diet.

Primary Sources For The Dr. Neal Barnard Profile

• Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine
• George Washington University School of Medicine and Health Sciences
• Barnard Medical Center

How This Profile Of Dr. Neal Barnard Was Compiled

This profile was compiled from the public professional sources listed above, including university faculty pages, professional register and society records, journal author statements and publisher biographies. Qualifications, appointments and awards were checked against at least two independent sources where available. Last reviewed on 30 October 2026.

Found something out of date? Contact the Find MD Health editorial team and we will review the entry.

How To Use The Information About Dr. Neal Barnard

Information only, not medical or dietary advice. Location, services, insurance and availability change, so confirm details with George Washington University School of Medicine and Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine.