American College of Lifestyle Medicine Names Cardiologist Cate Collings President of Burgeoning Medical Society Targeted to Addressing Root Cause of Chronic Disease


Cate Collings, MD

“We need to address the lifestyle-related root causes of chronic diseases that leave so many vulnerable.”

The American College of Lifestyle Medicine (ACLM) has announced the transition of cardiologist Cate Collings, MD, MS, FACC, DipABLM, to a two-year term as president of the fastest-growing medical professional society in the U.S. ACLM educates and equips its members in the practice of evidence-based Lifestyle Medicine, defined as the use of evidence-based lifestyle therapeutic intervention—including a whole-food, plant-predominant eating pattern, regular physical activity, restorative sleep, stress management, avoidance of risky substances, and positive social connection—as a primary modality, delivered by clinicians trained and certified in this specialty, to prevent, treat, and often reverse chronic disease

Dr. Collings is Director of Lifestyle Medicine for Silicon Valley Medical Development and El Camino Health Medical Network in the San Francisco Bay Area.

She holds dual board certifications in Cardiology and Lifestyle Medicine and a graduate degree in Exercise Physiology, as well as professional culinary and wellness coaching certifications. She received her education from the University of California, University of Wisconsin, and Stanford University Medical Center. She is a member of the Alpha Omega Alpha National Medical Honor Society.

She has served in multiple capacities and leadership positions at El Camino Hospital over the past 25 years, including Medical Director of the Cardiopulmonary Wellness Center, Women’s Heart Health, and the Heart and Vascular Institute and participates in the American College of Cardiology’s Nutrition and Lifestyle Task Force. Within ACLM, she co-chaired the initiation of ACLM’s Education Committee and has participated in course reviews.

She now focuses exclusively on Lifestyle Medicine consultations, culinary medicine, and developing clinical Lifestyle Medicine programs. Her term as ACLM President will run from 2021 to 2023.

Dexter Shurney, MD, MBA, MPH, FACLM, DipABLM, Senior Vice President and Chief Medical Officer of Community Wellbeing and the Blue Zones Institute for Adventist Health, becomes ACLM’s immediate past-president, continuing to serve on the Board of Directors. One of his roles is to lead the organization’s Health Equity Achieved through Lifestyle Medicine (HEAL) Initiative, which is exploring the use of evidence-based lifestyle therapies against the lifestyle-related chronic disease disproportionately affecting underserved and minority populations.

“Dr. Collings is stepping into the role of president just as the COVID-19 pandemic and racial unrest has highlighted the urgent need to address the lifestyle-related root causes of chronic diseases that leave so many vulnerable to the direst outcomes of the virus,” said Shurney. “It is reassuring to know that such a thoughtful, experienced leader is taking the helm of ACLM at a period of significant growth and community need.”

“I am honored to come into the leadership of ACLM at this critical juncture,” Collings said. “We know we need to focus on removing barriers to Lifestyle Medicine practice and reimbursement, expand our educational offerings to train more physicians and other clinicians and address health disparities associated with chronic disease. The organization is expanding rapidly and we must use this momentum to effect the changes in foundational health our nation so profoundly needs.”

ABOUT ACLM: The American College of Lifestyle Medicine (ACLM) is the medical professional society for those dedicated to the advancement and clinical practice of Lifestyle Medicine as the foundation of a transformed and sustainable health care system. Lifestyle Medicine is the use of evidence-based lifestyle therapeutic intervention—including a whole-food, plant-predominant eating pattern, regular physical activity, restorative sleep, stress management, avoidance of risky substances, and positive social connection—as a primary modality, delivered by clinicians trained and certified in this specialty, to prevent, treat, and often reverse chronic disease. Learn more at http://www.lifestylemedicine.org.

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