The inaugural Food as Medicine Summit & Expo, presented by Dallas-based TS Wellness founder and President Patricia Thomson, Ph.D., on April 24 and 25 at the Richardson Civic Center, will focus on scientifically supported plant-based nutrition and fitness.

Nonprofit Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine (PCRM) founder and President Dr. Neal Barnard is headlining the event. He will be the guest of honor at a special fundraising dinner themed, “Your Passport to the Vegan World”. More than 12,000 PCRM doctor members promote preventive medicine, conduct clinical research and encourages higher standards for ethics and effectiveness in research and medical training.

On Friday, the Summit and EXPO opens at noon with the first of two social mixers, featuring vegan cuisine from around the world prepared by local vegan restaurant Viridescent Kitchen and wines provided by Vegan Wines. On Saturday, the event opens at 8 a.m. with presentations running until 6:30 p.m., followed by another social, along with vegan food trucks.

One unique feature of this Summit & EXPO is the establishment of neighborhood plant-based tribes—groups that live in a given area around the DFW metroplex that meet on a regular basis to support one another as either they transition to a plant-based diet or want the social aspect of a support group.

Thomson, says, “We are bringing in some of the top doctors, nutrition and fitness experts from Texas and across the country to participate. It’s the first time this many whole-food-plant-based experts have gathered under one roof for a summit in the DFW area, offering a unique opportunity for the local community to learn from them firsthand. Our goal is for each attendee to leave the event inspired and empowered to take their health and wellness into their own hands.”

Physician speakers also  include Cleveland Clinic’s Dr. Caldwell Esselstyn, Dr. Michael Klaper, Dr. Milton Mills, Dr. Brooke Goldner, Dr. Linda Carney, Dr. Bandana Chawla, Dr. Munish Chawla, Dr. Jimmy Conway, Dr. Nancy Eriksen, Dr. Niraj Mehta and Dr. Rizwan Bukhari. Other plant-based experts in nutrition and fitness include Brenda Davis RD, Victoria Moran, Fat-Free-Vegan blogger Susan Voisin and the Plant Chics and fitness experts Thomas Tadlock, Ellen Jaffe Jones, Josh LaJaunie, and No Meat Athlete Matt Frazier.

For more information, visit FoodAsMedicineSummitTX.com.