With heavy hearts, we mourn the death of Dr. Dexter Shurney, MD, MBA, MPH, a visionary in preventive medicine, lifestyle wellness, and public health equity. Though details of his passing remain private, the ripple of grief across the medical and wellness community speaks to the magnitude of the loss.
Dr. Shurney was not only a distinguished physician board-certified in Preventive Medicine, Public Health, and Lifestyle Medicine, he was a pioneering force. Over decades, he held some of the most significant leadership roles in healthcare: former Chief Medical Officer of Adventist Health, longtime leader at Blue Zones Institute (serving as its Chief Health & Well-Being Officer), previous faculty member at Vanderbilt University, and health-benefits executive at large corporations.
Beyond the titles and credentials, Dr. Shurney was widely regarded as generous in spirit, compassionate, and deeply committed to health equity. Among peers, his “glowing example of goodness, kindness, and generosity of spirit” stood out. Countless colleagues from across medicine and wellness expressed shock and sorrow at his departure, a testament to the deep relationships he built over time.
His career was marked by a dedication to improving population health and fostering long-term, sustainable wellness in communities. His leadership helped shape modern thinking around lifestyle medicine, preventive care, and health-equity initiatives.
As the world learns of his passing, many mourn not just a physician, but a beacon of hope and integrity in medicine. To those who knew him personally and professionally, his legacy will live on in the countless lives he touched and the healthier communities he helped build. May Dr. Dexter Shurney rest in peace.
