Representation matters, especially in health and wellness. Studies show that Black patients are more likely to trust healthcare advice from Black medical doctors and healthcare professionals – largely because of the ongoing risks we face from systemic white supremacy and patriarchy in the medical industry.
But what about representation when you’re also a vegan?
Did you know that most medical professionals are not properly trained in nutrition? Although 11 million global deaths are attributed to dietary factors, reports found that, in general, graduating medical students are not supported with enough nutrition education during their studies to provide adequate care to patients. In fact, in medical school, of the thousands of hours of study, students only average about 19 hours of nutrition education – and that rarely includes plant-based nutrition.
That’s why having a Black vegan healthcare professional can give you the best of both worlds. Ideally, you can trust that they have your best interest at heart, and they have practical knowledge and expertise in plant-based nutrition.
Not sure where to find a practitioner? We got you covered! Here are 25 Black vegan healthcare professionals, including doctors, nurses, dietitians, and more, who are committed to providing holistic healthcare to their patients and communities:
Alicia C. Simpson, MS, RD, LD, is a dietitian with a focus on maternal and pediatric health in the state of Georgia.
Audrey R. Powell, MD, is an internal medicine and pediatric physician. Powell also strongly supports nutrition as means of healing and takes virtual appointments.
Banji Awosika, MD, specializes in nephrology, hypertension, and kidney dialysis, with an emphasis on preventive care through proper nutrition.
Baxter Montgomery, MD, is the founder of Montgomery Heart and Wellness in Houston, TX, a state-of-the-art facility that provides patients with a holistic approach and scientifically-backed research in all matters of heart care.
Celeste Palmer, MD, FAAP, is a physician who specializes in teaching families about the healing properties of food and how to make lifestyle modifications around plant-based eating.
Columbus Batiste, MD, also known as the “Healthy Heart Doc” supports a holistic healthcare approach, prioritizing plant-based nutrition. Batiste is a member of the 10MBVW Advisory Committee.
Deitra Dennis, RN, NBC-HWC, is a member of the 10MBVW Advisory Committee. A registered nurse and board certified health and wellness coach in the state of Georgia, Dennis is the founder of Full Circle Health Coaching LLC and specializes in heart disease prevention specifically in women of color.
Edwin K. McDonald IV, MD, specializes in gastroenterology, nutrition, and weight management – and he also is a trained chef!
Harriet N. Davis, MD, is a board-certified family medicine and sports medicine physician, who also happens to be a IFBB bikini athlete.
Heather Woolery-Lloyd, MD, is board certified in dermatology and lifestyle medicine. An internationally recognized dermatologist and skincare expert, Woolery-Lloyd also uses plant-based nutrition as the center of care.
Judy Brangman, MD, is committed to helping people transition to plant-based diets. Brangman is candid about her own journey and uses her personal experience to encourage overall wellness through plant-based eating.
Kim Williams, MD, is a cardiologist, and former president of the American College of Cardiology, focused on helping people refine the ways in which good nutrition can prevent illness and promote heart health.
Kirt Tyson, NMD, CPBN, FAAOPM, is a board-certified naturopathic physician who specializes in diabetes, cancer, as well as heart disease prevention and reversal. Tyson is also author of The Raw Truth: A Recipe for Reversing Diabetes.
Lynette Moore, MD, is a board certified physician who facilitates restoration of health through plant-based nutrition and holistic lifestyle management.
Mary A. Washington, MD, FACP, is a Houston-based board-certified internal medicine doctor, nephrologist, and certified plant-based nutritionist. Washington wholeheartedly believes that “a healthy diet makes a healthy body.”
Milton Mills, MD, is a member of the 10MBVW Advisory Committee. An internal medicine specialist and founder of Plant-Based Nation, Mills has been featured on several leading documentaries and podcasts discussing the importance of plant-based eating.
Natalie P. Santiago, MD, is a vegan pediatrician and advocate for holistic family care that is centered in whole foods, plant-based nutrition.
Pamela Atkins, MD, and Floyd Atkins, MD, both believe that education is the epicenter of lifestyle improvement. The Center for Wellness and Healing is a Houston-based clinic focused on educating patients on whole-food nutrition, supplementation, rest, and exercise.
Rosa Kincaid, MD, is a physician and raw-food workshop facilitator who encourages disease prevention and management with plant-based eating.
Sharan Abdul-Rahman, MD, is a board-certified, Philadelphia-based OB/GYN and founder of Today’s Woman. Abdul-Rahman’s practice focuses on preventative care, education, and using the latest technology to understand issues that particularly pertain to women.
Shayla Toombs-Withers, MD, founded the Essence of Health Wellness Clinic in Chattanooga, TN, and uses her knowledge of medicine, athletics, and plant-based nutrition as a primary care model for her patients.
Shayna Smith, MD, is a family doctor and owner of Flourish Pediatrics, who prioritizes plant-based nutrition for all members of the family.
Tinka Barnes, MD, is a board-certified family medicine practitioner who also owns a company, Veginar PLLC, which focuses on workshops and speaking engagements that promote whole foods, plant-based nutrition and movement (check out her Instagram for the latest moves!) as a means of medicine.
Terry Mason, MD, is a former urologist and Chicago-based lecturer known for “spreading the plant-based gospel” for more than 40 years. Mason advocates for holistic lifestyle benefits and plant-based eating – and has been seen on several documentaries including Forks Over Knives and The Game Changers.
Yami Cazorla-Lancaster, DO, MPH, MS, FAAP, is a pediatrician and health and wellness coach. Lancaster is also the host of the Veggie Doctor Radio podcast, where she explores many topics surrounding healthy diets and nutrition.
From advocating for better nutrition to modeling their own lived experiences as vegans, these healthcare professionals are doing essential and life-changing work!
You can search for more providers on sites like Plant-based Docs or Lifestyle Medicine. If you’d like to recommend a Black vegan medical professional in your own backyard, tag them in our Instagram comments at @10millionbvw.
Tonya Abari is a multigenre storyteller, editor, and reviewer. Her words have been published in USA Today, Publishers Weekly, ZORA, For the Culture, The Kitchn, Good Housekeeping, and many more! She enjoys discovering new vegan restaurants, collecting healing crystals, and unschooling with her inquisitive children. You can catch Tonya hanging out on Instagram @iamtabari.
Demetrius Bagley is an award-winning producer of the documentary Vegucated. He’s also produced the public TV cooking show Vegan Mashup, and has been vegan since 1994.
