Global leaders unite in Palm Desert to reimagine medicine through nutrition.
Palm Desert once again became the heartbeat of the plant-based health revolution this September as clinicians, researchers, and advocates from around the world convened for the 2025 International Plant-Based Nutrition Healthcare Conference (PBNHC) — an annual summit that continues to redefine how we think about food, medicine, and human health. Operation World Without Cancer Founder John Richardson, Jr. and staff from Richardson Nutritional Center were privileged to participate in the conference.
Hosted by OWWC partner The Plantrician Project at the JW Marriott Desert Springs Resort & Spa, this year’s conference delivered an inspiring blend of science, community, and practical training. Over several days, attendees explored how evidence-based nutrition is transforming modern medicine—offering real, measurable hope in the fight against chronic disease.
A Gathering of Global Innovators
The 2025 conference featured a powerhouse lineup of voices shaping the future of lifestyle and nutritional medicine, including Dr. Neal Barnard, Dr. Michael Greger, Dr. Joel Fuhrman, Dr. Dean Ornish, Dr. Kim A. Williams, Dr. Will Bulsiewicz, Brenda Davis, RD, and Dahlia Marin, RDN.
Delivering the keynote address, Dr. Scott Stoll, co-founder and Chief Medical Officer of The Plantrician Project, reminded attendees that the “next great frontier in medicine isn’t a new drug—it’s rediscovering the healing potential of food itself.” His message resonated deeply in a time when chronic illness continues to rise despite advances in technology and pharmaceuticals.
Operation World Without Cancer is proud to partner with Dr. Stoll and The Plantrician Project in their incredible work to train healthcare providers about the power of nutrition.
Science Meets Practice
The sessions moved beyond theory into real-world application, covering topics such as:
- Your Body in Balance: The role of diet and hormones in long-term health.
- Undo It: Exploring how nutrition and lifestyle may slow cognitive decline.
- The Gut-Brain Connection: How the microbiome supports mental resilience.
- Pain Prevention and Healing: Dietary strategies for joint and musculoskeletal health.
Attendees left with new tools and clinical insights on how plant-based interventions can prevent—and in some cases reverse—conditions such as heart disease, obesity, and type 2 diabetes.
Learning Through Experience
PBNHC is widely known for being as hands-on as it is scientific. The 2025 conference continued that tradition, offering workshops, cooking demonstrations, and CME-accredited sessions that encouraged clinicians to translate nutrition science into patient care. Each participant also gained access to a full library of on-demand recordings to continue learning long after the event.
And of course, no PBNHC would be complete without its nine-course vegan dining experience—a feast of color, creativity, and flavor that showed attendees just how vibrant “food as medicine” can be.
Connection, Collaboration, and a Common Mission
What truly sets PBNHC apart is its spirit of community. Health professionals often describe it as “a conference with heart,” where meaningful conversations lead to collaborations that change lives. The 2025 event was no exception. Between sessions and meals, participants built new partnerships and shared stories of transformation—both professional and personal.
A Movement That’s Just Getting Started
As the conference closed, one thing was clear: the momentum behind plant-based healthcare is accelerating worldwide. What began as a fringe movement has now become a vital force in preventive medicine, reshaping hospitals, medical schools, and wellness programs across the globe. The connections Operation World Without Cancer made at the conference were priceless.
The message of PBNHC 2025 was simple but powerful: when food becomes central to medicine, healing follows—naturally, affordably, and sustainably.
