I am a primary care physician specializing in women’s health with a strong belief that plant-based nutrition is the key to prevention of disease and improved health.

Four years ago, after nearly 30 years of a traditional family medical practice, I discovered the whole food plant based lifestyle I regret the opportunities that I would have had, had I embraced this lifestyle in my practice years ago. However, believing that the glass is half full, I look forward to the next thirty years sharing this lifestyle with my patients, making them and the planet better! James M. Sheppard MD

When I watched Forks Over Knives in 2013, I realized that I had been practicing medicine completely wrong! After verifying that what was presented in the documentary was true, I personally adopted a whole food, plant-based diet and rapidly saw tremendous improvements in my own health. Unable to find dieticians in the area who were able to counsel patients in this type of diet, I took the Plant Based Nutrition certification course through eCornell to be able to counsel them myself. I use the 4Leaf Program materials to help patients maximize the percentage of their calories coming from whole plants, with the goal being 80% or more. I also use 4Leaf materials in the courses I run through the local hospital for the community. In addition, I now serve as Chief Medical Officer of 4Leaf Global, where I help create additional teaching tools for patients. The 4Leaf Pocket Guide to Vibrant Health, which I co-authored with J. Morris Hicks, released Summer of 2015.

I am a former competitive cyclist with an interest in fitness and plant-based nutrition. I have been teaching my patients in a limited fashion in the clinic about the benefits of plant-based nutrition as a therapeutic intervention for many chronic diseases. I teach the “CHIP” course with my wife to patients who are ready to make more intensive efforts. I am always looking to expand the role of lifestyle medicine in my practice as time and patient readiness permits.