For nearly seven years, Plant Powered Metro New York has led a regional movement for health — empowering our diverse residents and neighbors to achieve the health we deserve through plant-based nutrition.

This December, we’re hosting our fourth annual Plantathon celebration, raising essential funds to achieve our mission of community health transformation.

Get Inspired by Our Nutrition Leaders

Chef AJ is a dynamic educator and bestselling author of Unprocessed, The Secrets to Ultimate Weight Loss, and Own Your Health. She hosts the popular daily YouTube program Chef AJ LIVE, featuring leading voices in lifestyle medicine and nutrition.

Suzannah Bozzone, MD is board-certified in Family and Lifestyle Medicine with over 17 years of experience serving diverse populations in the U.S. and abroad. She leads wellness programs and sees patients through My True Health Journey in Chattanooga, TN, and nationally via Lifestyle Telemedicine, empowering people toward vibrant, purpose-driven living.

Dr. Csilla Veress, ND, LAc, is a naturopathic doctor and licensed acupuncturist at TrueNorth Health Center, where she specializes in integrative medicine, digestive health, fasting, and lifestyle-based approaches to chronic disease.

Tim Kaufman overcame chronic pain, obesity, and addiction – transforming his life and marriage through small, consistent lifestyle changes and a whole food, plant-based diet. He and his wife now share their journey through their website and YouTube channel, inspiring others to reclaim their health and discover what’s possible.

Dr. Rudrani “Rani” Banik is a board-certified neuro-ophthalmologist and integrative medicine specialist who combines root-cause, nutrition-focused care with the latest in eye health science. She is the founder of Envision Health NYC, Associate Professor of Ophthalmology at Mount Sinai, and the best-selling author of Beyond Carrots and Dr. Rani’s Plant-Based Visionary Kitchen.

Marcela Sandoval Garza, MD is a Mexican physician, Lifestyle Medicine Intensivist, and author of the best-selling book EVIDENTE. With master’s degrees in nutrition and natural medicine, she has helped hundreds of patients prevent and reverse chronic diseases through whole-food, plant-based nutrition and the pillars of lifestyle medicine.

Stephanie Cornejal is a community organizer, licensed Food for Life instructor, and mentor with Plant Powered Metro NY who began her plant-based journey at age 13 and now helps Latinx communities embrace healthy, flavorful, whole-food nutrition.

Dr. Diego Ponieman, a Buenos Aires–born physician trained at Albert Einstein/Montefiore and Mount Sinai, brings deep expertise in internal medicine and a passion for helping people prevent and even reverse disease through improved nutrition.

Chef Ramses Bravo is the executive chef at TrueNorth Health Center and a leading expert in whole-food, plant-based, SOS-free cuisine. He is the author of Bravo! and Bravo Express, teaching home cooks how to create flavorful, healing meals without salt, oil, or sugar.

Dr. Matthew Lederman is a board-certified internal medicine physician and pioneer of Connection Medicine, helping people heal through emotional well-being, nourishing relationships, and whole-food plant-based nutrition. He is the co-author of Wellness to Wonderful and The Forks Over Knives Plan, and co-founder of WeHeal, where he guides individuals and families toward vibrant, sustainable health.

Chef Carole Levy is a culinary educator and advocate for whole-food, plant-based, SOS-free cooking. She teaches with Plant Powered Metro NY, the Marlene Meyerson JCC Manhattan, and the Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine’s Food for Life program, and leads cooking classes through her initiative, The Veggie Vanguard.

David Bowman, MD is a double-board-certified physician in pediatrics and lifestyle medicine, serving as Assistant Dean of Student Health & Wellness at Howard University College of Medicine. He co-founded Lifestyle Med Revolution with his wife, Keisha, and co-chairs the American College of Lifestyle Medicine’s HEAL initiative, advancing health equity through lifestyle change.

Keisha Bowman, MPH, NBC-HWC is a public health professional and nationally board-certified health coach with a background in engineering and corporate leadership. At Lifestyle Med Revolution, she empowers individuals, especially women and underserved communities, to embrace plant-based nutrition, movement, and holistic wellness, with a strong focus on health equity and community empowerment.

Dr. Will Bulsiewicz (“Dr. B”) is a board-certified gastroenterologist, epidemiologist, and Adjunct Assistant Professor of Medicine at Emory University. An internationally recognized gut-health expert and author of the best-selling book Fiber Fueled, he specializes in the connection between the gut microbiome, dietary fiber, and plant-based nutrition.

Overlapping with Giving Tuesday, Plantathon 2025 will feature a virtual showcase over 8 consecutive nights with learning, stories of healing, lifestyle guidance, and on-air food demos. You’ll hear from leading physicians, educators, chefs, and community members on the wide ranging benefits of eating whole plant foods — and the joy of healthful living.

register for a reminder

You can also watch live on our Facebook or YouTube accounts (subscribe on YouTube for updates).

¡Atención hablantes de español! ¡Acompáñanos el 3 de diciembre! Conoce a la Dra. Marcela Sandoval de México y al Dr. Diego Ponieman, y disfruta una demostración de chilaquiles verdes con Stephanie Cornejal de PPMNY.

regístrate para recibir un recordatorio

Check out the schedule below for Plantathon 2025!

Plantathon is our gift to you during this giving season.

If you’ve been inspired by Plant Powered Metro New York’s mission, programs, or impact, please give back with a donation.

We are a mouthpiece bringing awareness to the power of food as medicine.

We are a guide to thousands of people each year who are seeking natural and effective solutions for their health.

We are a partner to dozens of local, regional, and national organizations that want to support their community members with strategies for wellness and recovery.

Every gift made through the end of the year will be matched, thanks to a generous anonymous donor!

Donate now or when you register for Plantathon: Everyone who donates by December 7, 2025, or registers for Plantathon (with no purchase necessary for registration) will be entered to win great prizes to support your healthy lifestyle. Winners will be drawn and announced throughout the week of Plantathon. Our grand prize is a Vitamix high-speed blender!

DONATE

Plantathon 2025 Daily Line-up:

Plantathon 2025 Hosts

Lianna Levine Reisner
Jim Spellos
Aifra Ruiz

Thank You to Our Sponsors!

In formation

Superfood Supporter:

Give-away prize sponsors:

Enjoy the Replays of Plantathons Past

Play Now

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Interested in joining us for in-person learning and connection in the NY metro area?
Check out our events calendar for more opportunities beyond Plantathon!