We are delighted to have the following international and national speakers presenting at the 2021 AIMA Virtual Conference Main Auditorium.
KEYNOTE SPEAKERS
Dr Jeffrey S. Bland (USA) – PhD, FACN, FACB, CNS, internationally recognised leader in the nutritional medicine field for over 35 years.
Dr. Jeffrey Bland is known worldwide as the founder of the Functional Medicine movement, which represents his vision for a care model that is grounded in systems biology and informed by research. His pioneering work has created the Personalized Lifestyle Medicine Institute (PLMI), as well as the Institute for Functional Medicine (IFM), the global leader in Functional Medicine education.
He is the author of best-selling books and over 120 peer-reviewed research publications. His latest project is Big Bold Health, launched in 2018. He’s on a mission to transform the way people think about one of nature’s greatest innovations: the immune system. Through Big Bold Health, Dr. Bland is advocating for the power of immuno-rejuvenation to enhance immunity at a global level. It is an ambitious and purpose-driven effort that encompasses his active stance on regenerative agriculture, environmental stewardship, and planetary health.
Dr Bruce Lipton (USA) – cell biologist, lecturer, and internationally recognised leader in bridging science and spirit (pre-recorded presentation)
Dr Bruce Lipton is a cell biologist and lecturer and an internationally recognized leader in bridging science and spirit. Bruce was on the faculty of the University of Wisconsin’s School of Medicine and later performed groundbreaking stem cell research at Stanford University. He is the bestselling author of The Biology of Belief, The Honeymoon Effect, and co- author with Steve Bhaerman of Spontaneous Evolution. Bruce received the 2009 prestigious Goi Peace Award (Japan) in honor of his scientific contribution to world harmony.
SPEAKERS (LIVE)
Dr Nicky Baillie (NZ) – MBChB, FRNZCGP, Dip Herb Med, MNZAMH, Dip Int Psych (Hakomi), GP and Medical Herbalist,
Nicky is an Integrative GP and Medical Herbalist with a special interest in Mind Body Medicine. She is based in Auckland, New Zealand working in full-time clinical practice. Nicky developed curiosity into holistic approaches early in her medical career, especially the ancient tradition of herbal medicine. Over the last 25 years she has gathered extensive clinical experience supporting her patients with herbal and nutritional medicine. Nicky teaches and presents regularly on herbal medicine and is passionate about sharing information on practical, accessible and safe ways to incorporate herbal medicine into our lives.
Over the last 15 years she has also been part of a clinical team supporting people with intravenous vitamin C, particularly for immune and cancer support, and has published in peer reviewed journals on this topic.
Nicole Bijlsma (NZ) – Building Biologist, bestselling author, PhD candidate and CEO of the Australian College of Environmental Studies (est.1999).
Nicole is the founder of the Building Biology movement in Australia which was created to educate people about the health hazards in the built environment.
Nicole has lectured at tertiary institutions for 30 years, has published in peer reviewed journals and is regularly consulted by the media to discuss mould, electromagnetic fields and toxic chemicals, and lectures in Australia and abroad about environmental health issues.
Jackie Blunt (NZ) – GP, Ren Xue & Yuan Gong Qigong Teacher
Jackie lives in Lincoln in the South Island of New Zealand and has been a rural and urban General Practitioners for over 25 years.
She is currently the Wellbeing Manager at Lincoln University where she leads a team who work on enhancing wellbeing, supporting mental health, strengthening mental fitness and creating improved overall wellbeing on campus.
She has been working in the area of wellbeing coaching for many years, primarily using methods from Yuan Qigong and Ren Xue, Brain-Based Wellbeing and Positive Psychology to help people grow and create a better life for themselves, their families, and society.
Tania de Jong AM (AUS) – Co-Founder and Executive Director Mind Medicine Australia, Creativity Australia, Creative Universe, and The Song Room
Tania is a trail-blazing Australian soprano, award-winning social entrepreneur, creative innovation catalyst, spiritual journey woman, storyteller, and global speaker. Tania is one of Australia’s most successful female entrepreneurs and innovators developing 5 businesses and 3 charities including Creative Universe, Creativity Australia and With One Voice, Creative Innovation Global, Mind Medicine Australia, Dimension5, MTA Entertainment & Events, Pot-Pourri and The Song Room.
She works across the public, private, creative and community sectors and is passionate about mental health, innovation, diversity, and inclusion. Tania speaks and sings around the world as a soloist and with her group Pot-Pourri releasing eleven albums. She is Founder and Executive Producer of future-shaping events series, Creative Innovation Global.
She was appointed a Member of the Order of Australia in June 2008 and named one of the 100 Women of Influence and the 100 Australian Most Influential Entrepreneurs in 2018. Tania’s TED Talk ‘How Singing Together Changes The Brain’ has sparked international interest. Tania’s mission is to change the world, one voice at a time!
Dr Carrie Jones (USA) – ND, FABNE, MPH, internationally recognised speaker, consultant, and educator on the topic of women’s health and hormones (sponsored by Nutrisearch)
Carrie is an internationally recognised speaker, consultant, and educator on the topic of women’s health and hormones. Dr. Jones graduated from the National University of Natural Medicine (NUNM) in Portland, Oregon where she also completed a 2-year residency in women’s health, hormones, and endocrinology. Later, she graduated from Grand Canyon University’s Maser of Public Health program. Recently, Dr. Jones became board certified through the American Board of Naturopathic Endocrinology. She was adjunct faculty at NUNM for many years, teaching gynecology and advanced endocrinology/fertility. While in practice, Dr. Jones served as Medical Director for 2 large integrative clinics in Portland. She is currently the Medical Director for Precision Analytical Inc.
Petrea King (AUS) – CEO and Founder of Quest for Life Foundation offering a proven, holistic, and evidence-based approach to creating physical, mental, emotional health, and wellbeing
Petrea is Founder and CEO of the Quest for Life Foundation. The Quest for Life Centre in Bundanoon hosts 34 five-day residential programs plus 100 community workshops each year. More than 125,000 people have utilised Quest’s services. Quest programs provide participants with a proven, holistic and evidence-based approach to creating physical, mental, emotional health and wellbeing.
Petrea is a best-selling author of 9 books and many meditation practices. She is a facilitator, naturopath, yoga, and meditation teacher. For the past 21 years, Petrea has been a monthly guest on ABC’s Midweek Conference with Richard Glover where she discusses the challenges of living a meaningful life beyond illness, trauma, difficult circumstances and tragedy.
Petrea has received the Advance Australia Award, Citizen of the Year, the Centenary Medal and has been NSW finalist for Senior Australian of the Year.
Warren Maginn (AUS) – BHSc. (Nutr. Med.) GradCert. (Hum. Nutr.), Functional Nutritional Medicine Practitioner and Educator (sponsored by FxMed)
Warren is a Clinical Nutritionist and College Lecturer who specialises in the personalised management of chronic health conditions and wellbeing through the principles of Functional Medicine and integrative laboratory testing. Warren holds a bachelor degree in Clinical Nutrition as well as postgraduate qualifications in Human Nutrition, and teaches bachelor students of Nutritional Medicine in Brisbane, whilst supporting and mentoring naturopathic and medical practitioners around Australia and New Zealand in their use of functional testing and clinical nutraceuticals as a fundamental approach to integrative health management.
Wendy McLean (AUS) – BHSc (Naturopathy), BAdvSci(Hons), PhD, Hydrogeologist, Naturopath and Educator (sponsored by Vital.ly)
Wendy is a qualified Naturopath and educator at Vital.ly, where she plays a central role in developing educational content and resources for healthcare professionals. She has a passion for following the latest scientific research and integrating it with traditional knowledge and clinical experience to deliver clinically relevant information to practitioners. Wendy has been providing educational material, training, and practitioner technical support for several years, and has delivered education at practitioner events throughout Australia.
As a researcher and author for the Australian Journal of Herbal and Naturopathic Medicine, Wendy is dedicated to critically evaluating traditional, complementary, and integrative medicine research, and fostering research and education in Australia.
Dr Tom Mulholland (NZ) – Emergency Department Physician, lecturer educator & founder of the Healthy Thinking Institute
Tom is an Emergency Dept Doctor and GP who has his own retro chevy ambulance. He noticed many patient don’t know their health numbers so built an app called KYND. Know Your Numbers Dashboard has now over 12 000 users and Dr Tom uses it as Triage tool to assess Mental Physical and Social Health. These scores are integrated to give an overall risk score that creates behavioral change.
KYND is a new way of consulting and a way of creating behavioral change using a unique methodology. Dr Mulholland will explain KYND and how you can use it with your patients to make a difference.
Dr Jamie Rickcord (AUS) – MBBS BSc (Hons) FRACGP, GP and Founder Ananda Clinics
Jamie has practised medicine since graduating from Imperial College, London in 2006 and for the last 8 years has worked as a GP in the Northern Rivers of NSW. He is the founder of Ananda Clinics in Byron Bay – one of Australia’s first to be dedicated to plant medicine. Jamie is an experienced prescriber of medicinal cannabis and is studying a Masters in Trauma Informed Psychotherapy. He is totally committed to the birth of a new paradigm in mainstream society where plant medicines are accepted as the remarkable gifts from nature that they are.
His interests are in healing trauma and the expansion of human potential. In his spare time Jamie surfs, plays his guitars and spends the rest of his time with his 3 year old son.
Prof Grant Schofield (NZ) – Professor of Public Health, Director of the Human Potential Centre at AUT Millennium School of Sport and Recreation
Grant’s research and teaching interests are in wellbeing and chronic disease prevention especially reducing the risk and eventual mortality and morbidity from obesity, cardiovascular disease and diabetes.
As such, his work tries to understand, then change, the determinants of the contributing behaviours; physical (in)activity and (un)healthy eating as well as the broader area of psychological and physical well being.
He has taken a population and settings approach to translate basic science, epidemiology, and intervention outcomes to new trials, innovative research applications and to influence government, corporate, and NGO policy.
Rachael Wilson (NZ) – Paediatric and eating disorder dietitian, family nutritionist, and mindful eating coach
Rachael is a dietitian specializing in mindful eating and intuitive eating, self-compassion, and body image.
She works a lot with family feeding, feeding disorders, disordered eating, and body image. She has trained in SOS feeding therapy and is one of only 7 people worldwide selected by the Ellyn Satter institute in the USA to become one of their affiliate child feeding specialists. She has a background in Mindfulness and self-compassion. She has trained in mindful eating through The Centre for Mindful Eating and has undergone training with Grace Wong and Dr Katja Rowell in the USA in responsive feeding therapy.
Rachael supports parents to heal their relationship with food and their bodies and raise children who don’t need to. Supporting people to learn to let go of chronic dieting and reconnect with their body’s innate ability to regulate food intake. Working with both mindful and intuitive eating.
Her passion lies in supporting children to become competent eaters who eat a wide variety of foods and are comfortable in their own skin. At The Food Tree she runs workshops for parents and schools, sharing tools such as mindfulness, gratitude and nature play alongside nutrition. Helping families find confidence and joy, both in themselves and with each other building health, happiness, and resilience. Seeing nutrition and food as something that nourishes our mental as well as our physical health.
Jimi Wollumbin (AUS) – Doctor of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Doctor of Philosophy, entrepreneur, author, speaker and UN Delegate
Jimi is not a GP or an MD but a Doctor of Traditional Chinese Medicine. He is one of those rare individuals – an expert in his field who also knows how to teach others. He has spoken at the United Nations, opened for Deepak Chopra and has even been personally insulted by the Dalai Lama. He teaches integrative doctors across America, sits on the faculty of the America Integrative Health and Medicine Association and is a lifetime member of the Tibetan Medical Institute’s ‘Friends of Tibetan Medicine’. Having joined in 2002 as a regular ‘member’, he is now also an esteemed ‘Fellow of the Australian Traditional Medicine Society’.
After completing his internship in Chinese Medicine in TCM in Beijing hospital in 2002 he has since completed 3 research exchanges at Ayurvedic hospitals in India, 2 with the Lama-physicians at the Tibetan Medical Institute, 1 with the Persian Hakims of the Unani Tibb Hippocratic tradition, 2 at the Trad-Med Department of the Mongolian National University in Ulaan Bataar and a 2019 trip through Siberia to research Shamanic medicine and present his work.
Jimi’s original degree at the ANU was in philosophy and eastern religion which is why Dr Seroya Crouch describes him as ‘a philosopher of medicine’. He has written several books, none of which have been published, acclaimed or even read… yet.
He is the CEO and founder of One Health Organisation, a wellness-based charity that has distributed over 10 metric tonnes of herbs and supplements to 100 locations across 13 countries since 2005.
The esteemed ‘father of functional medicine’ Profession Jeff Bland once publicly remarked: “Every time I hear Jimi speak I think to myself – that’s the kind of man I want to be when I grow up”.
He brings passion and enthusiastic hand gestures to every conversation he is a part of.
Dr Christabelle Yeoh (AUS) – MBBS, MRCP (UK), MSC (NUTRITION), FACNEM, Medical Practitioner focusing on chronic complex disorders
Christabelle is the Medical Director and a Medical Practitioner at Next Practice GenBiome – Edgecliff. Her work with patients focuses around optimising gut health, microbiome, mitochondrial and brain performance. She applies the premise that dysfunctions can be corrected with established practices of nutritional and environmental medicine.
She is passionate about sharing her in-depth knowledge on the interconnectedness of human metabolism, biology, and behaviour. Dr. Yeoh dedicates her practice to working with patients with complex chronic conditions, neuro-immune mediated, or chronic inflammatory illness.
Christabelle graduated from medicine at the University of London in 1999 and obtained her membership with the Royal College of Physicians (UK). She has a Masters degree in Nutrition from King’s College London. After practicing hospital medicine, she has been working as a general physician with an interest in Nutritional and Environmental Medicine. She was director at the Australasian College of Nutritional and Environmental Medicine (ACNEM) and is active on the teaching faculty.
Dr Caryn Zinn (NZ) PhD – Dietitian, AUT Senior lecturer and author.
Caryn is a Senior lecturer and the Head of Researcher at AUT’s, School of Sport & Recreation. She is also a Registered Dietitian with 25 years of experience in clinical practice. She started off her career as a public health dietitian, and then entered academia in 2000, maintaining her clinical dietetic practice throughout. Her research and practice focus on the application of a whole food dietary approach to metabolic health and sports performance.
Caryn has established herself globally as a leading dietitian and advocate of a whole-food, low carbohydrate, healthy fat (LCHF) approach for optimal health and disease prevention and management. She has co-authored four books (soon to be 5) as part of the What the Fat? series, which has sold over 100,000 copies worldwide.
PRE-RECORDED PRESENTATIONS – available on-demand
Rachel Arthur – BHSc BNat (Hons 1st), Naturopath and Nutritionist
Rachel Arthur is a respected and widely published naturopath and registered nutritionist specialising in integrative nutrition, with a special interest in diagnostics. With over 20 years’ experience in both the clinic and the classroom, Rachel is considered a leading nutritional educator, delivering post-graduate training and mentoring to naturopaths, doctors and allied health care professionals alike. She has contributed work to authoritative texts, including all 4 editions of the award-winning: Herbs & Natural Supplements – An Evidence Based Guide (Elsevier). She delivers a popular monthly podcast Update in Under 30 and a post-graduate mentoring program for clinicians working with nutrition. Rachel’s ongoing enthusiasm for integrative health and for education make her presentations practical and empowering experiences for attendees.
Lara Briden – Naturopathic doctor, women’s health speaker, and author
Lara Briden is a naturopathic doctor and the “period revolutionary” – leading the change to better periods. Informed by a strong science background and more than twenty years with patients, Lara is a passionate communicator about women’s health and alternatives to hormonal birth control.
Her book Period Repair Manual is a manifesto of natural treatment for better hormones and better periods and provides practical solutions using nutrition, supplements, and natural hormones. Now in its second edition, the book has been an underground sensation and has worked to quietly change the lives of tens of thousands of women.
Kathy Fray – Senior Midwife and author
Kathy is a senior midwife who has been NZ’s #1 best-selling birth/babies/motherhood Author since 2005, and also managing director of www.MothersWise.com who provide extensive resources for expectant mothers.
Kathy’s other role is as the Founding Director of www.IIMHCO.com [Intl Integrative Maternity HealthCare Org] who are the global thought-leaders on Perinatal Integrative Medicine (ie, holistic maternal/neonatal wellness). With currently 6000 Maternity HealthCare followers internationally (predominantly Birth Practitioners, and Naturopathic Therapists of various modalities focusing on maternity healthcare) IIMHCO runs weekly live Webinars interviewing expert specialists from all over the world – along with hosting their own Maternity Natural Health symposiums.
Hot off the press is Kathy’s 4th manuscript, a revolutionary new handbook “OH MAMA – Perinatal Integrative Healthcare” which is a Birth Practitioner guide to holistic maternal/neonatal wellness (that is also suitable reading for both clinicians and the public). OH MAMA covers the entire maternity journey including preconception; the antepartum (pregnancy); the intrapartum (labour & birth); the postpartum (postnatal); and the neonate (newborn).
Dr Denise Furness Ph.D. BSc(Hons) RNutr, Molecular Geneticist and Nutritionist
Denise Furness, Ph.D. is a molecular geneticist and nutritionist. She is a pioneer in the field of nutrigenomics and personalised health with over 15 years’ experience in the area. She began her career as a research scientist focusing on folate nutrigenomics, methylation and DNA damage in relation to pregnancy health. Over the years her research expanded covering vitamin D, inflammation and oxidative stress. She has published her work in peer-reviewed journals and has won numerous awards for her research and conference presentations. In addition, Denise provides education for health practitioners drawing on her own clinical trials as well as the latest evidence-based research, government and peak health body guidelines in relation to nutrigenomics, methylation, and personalised health.
In 2012 she founded Your Genes and Nutrition and began applying her knowledge in private practice. Furthermore, Denise has 10 years’ experience in the fitness industry. Combining these unique skills she aims to help patients overcome health challenges, improve quality of life and reduce the burden of disease.
Dr Graham Gulbransen – MB ChB, Dip Obs, PGDip Med Sc (Addiction), FRNZCGP, FAChAM, Cannabis Consultant, GP & Addiction Specialist
In 2018 Graham opened the first medical cannabis service in Aotearoa NZ. Cannabis Care Clinic is in Henderson, Auckland providing specialist consultations for legal medicinal cannabis prescriptions. Problems addressed include chronic pain, cancer symptoms, anxiety, chronic insomnia and neurological conditions. Most patients have experienced little benefit or adverse effects from conventional treatment or have been told there are no further treatments. Many report that medicinal cannabis offers symptom relief, improved quality of life and most importantly, restores hope. He has prescribed CBD to 1400 patients with very good outcomes. An audit of his first 400 CBD patients showed benefit for chronic pain and/or emotional distress: British Journal of General Practice Open, 5/2/20: https://bjgpopen.org/content/early/2020/02/03/bjgpopen20X101010
His part time general practice experience dates from 1983. Much of this work involves assessing and managing addictions and/or chronic pain. He is a FRNZCGP.
Graham completed his Fellowship of the Australasian Chapter of Addiction Medicine (FAChAM) in 2008. As an Addiction Specialist he manages problems such as alcohol and drug withdrawal, opioid substitution treatment, medication for chronic pain and he writes addiction assessments
Morella Lascurain – Clinical Hypnotherapist, PG Dip HS in MindBody Healthcare, former Medical Doctor
Morella Lascurain is a former medical doctor (Magna Cum Laude), a strategic coach and a clinical hypnotherapist with over fifteen years’ experience in MindBody therapy. She completed post graduate studies at AUT university, under the guidance of Dr Brian Broom, a widely published MindBody expert and an advocate of whole person healthcare.
In 2004, she co-founded Mother-Well Holistic Health, a multidisciplinary, integrative health centre in Auckland where a multidisciplinary team offers services ranging from conventional medicine to acupuncture and homeopathy. She is an experienced educator and an international speaker.
Dr Leila Masson – M.D., MPH, FAAP, FRACP, FACNEM, IBCLC, DTMH, Pediatrician
Leila Masson is a consultant paediatrician who specialises in nutritional and environmental medicine for children’s health issues, including allergies, asthma, behaviour problems, autism spectrum disorders and ADHD. She has a busy clinic in Sydney where she sees children and mentors doctors in integrative paediatrics. She received her medical doctorate from the Free University of Berlin and did her paediatric specialist training at the University of California in San Francisco. She received her Master in Public Health from Harvard University and her Diploma in Tropical Medicine from the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine. She is a fellow of the Australasian College of Nutritional and Environmental Medicine. Dr. Masson is a board member of AIMA. She is also on the board of professional advisors of La Leche League New Zealand.
Leila has worked in the US, Europe, New Zealand, and volunteered for 2 years setting up a rural clinic in Pakistan. She is the author of Children’s Health A-Z a parent’s guide to natural therapies for common childhood ailments.
Professor Julia Rucklidge – Clinical Psychologist
Julia is a Professor of Clinical Psychology at the University of Canterbury, the Director of Te Puna Toiora, the Mental Health and Nutrition Research Lab and co-author of The Better Brain. Originally from Toronto, Canada, she completed her PhD in clinical psychology at the University of Calgary. Over the last twenty years, Julia has become well known for her research investigating the interface between nutrition and mental health, and has published over 140 scientific papers, is the recipient of numerous local and international awards, including named as one of the top 100 influential women in New Zealand. Her TEDx talk, “The surprisingly dramatic role of nutrition in mental health” has been viewed over 1.7 million times. She recently created a free EdX online course for the public on mental health and nutrition. Having witnessed conventional treatments failing so many people, Julia is passionate about helping people find alternative treatments for their psychiatric symptoms. Through her focus on translating research into practice, she hopes to help make nutritional interventions mainstream.
WELLNESS AREA SESSIONS – live and on-demand
Patricia Wylie – Natural Health Practitioner and Rebirthing Breathwork Practitioner
Patricia is a highly experienced and renowned Natural Healthcare Practitioner and has practiced as a Rebirthing Breathwork practitioner since 1987. She is a Registered Member of the NZ Association of Breathworkers Inc and has had many years involvement with the Natural Health Practitioners of NZ Inc. In 1993/1994 she co-facilitated a successful 2-year Professional Breathwork Training in Auckland.
Patricia’s dedication to Natural Healthcare in NZ has led her to serve as a Director of the NZAB Inc for many years and as the Chairwoman of the NHPNZ Inc for a period of time too. She is deeply committed to supporting the conscious inner-growth and well-being of all whom she encounters, in her professional practice and workshops. She has encouraged many people of all ages & cultures on their personal healing journeys.
Her connection with the Earth Mother and her Maori (Ngai Tahu), Afghani and European ancestry runs deep.