Medical Staff

Douglas Jay Sprung MD, FACG, FACP: Program Director

Dr. Sprung is a board certified Internist and Gastroenterologist who trained and worked with Dr. Walter Kempner, the originator of the Duke University Rice Diet, as a senior medical student and during his residency. Dr. Sprung graduated Duke Medical School in 1980 and completed his residency in internal medicine at Duke University Medical Center in 1983. He then spent 2 years at the Lahey Clinic Medical Center in Burlington, MA as a fellow in gastroenterology and then moved to central Florida in 1985 and began his private gastroenterology practice. He is a Fellow of the American College of Physicians and a Fellow of the American College of Gastroenterology. He has done extensive research and national presentations on Barrett’s Esophagus, Helicobacter Pylori, Ulcerative Colitis, Microscopic Colitis, Gastric Cancer, Colon Cancer, Celiac Disease and Peptic Ulcer Disease (see Curriculum vitae).

Since beginning private practice, Dr. Sprung has encountered daily reminders of the value of the Rice Diet. In the past decade, with the explosion of obesity induced medical illness (the “metabolic syndrome”), those reminders have been more pronounced, and Dr. Sprung is now prepared to undertake the work needed to introduce the Rice Diet to the central Florida region.

His belief in the power and potential of this diet to reverse illness and transform disease began in 1979 when he first came to know and work with Dr. Kempner. It began with a patient Dr. Sprung was caring for at Duke. His name was Dallas Walker, a 20 year old juvenile diabetic dwarf who was dying of heart and kidney failure, was going blind from diabetes out of control, and despite the best efforts of the Duke Staff physicians and consultants, they could not cure his condition. Through luck and guidance, Dr. Sprung brought Dallas to Dr. Kempner, who benevolently allowed the indigent patient into his program. Within a short amount of time, Walker made a full recovery. The miracle at the Rice House changed the mind and heart of Dr. Sprung and now he wants to share it with others (see the Dallas Walker Story).

Denise Sprung MSW

Denise Sprung, MSW, is a multi-talented member of the Rice Diet team, with a well-rounded and varied background. She is a licensed elementary and secondary school educator (Hunter College, NYC) and holds a masters degree in Social Work from the University of North Carolina.  Denise is a wife, mother and has served as a volunteer for the Humane Society, Coalition for the Homeless and Second Harvest Food Bank, along with other charitable organizations.  She had worked at the Duke University Comprehensive Cancer Center, Durham VA Hospital, University of North Carolina Memorial Hospital, and is one of the few people alive who have had the opportunity to interact with Dr. Kempner, the originator of the Rice Diet.  For the past ten years she has enjoyed her role as a personal stylist locally and out of state for women needing a new look ranging from first time mothers, working women and news anchors.

Denise brings education, life experience, compassion, discipline and a wonderful sense of humor to the Rice Diet of Central Florida. She truly values living life to its fullest and inspires others to do so in a manner that is healthy both mentally and physically. She is an integral part of the management and performance of the Rice Diet and will be interacting with each and every patient.