NICM Symposium 2020: Influential Women in Natural Therapies
18 September 2019
Early quests for systematic approaches to wellbeing and good health using herbal medicines can be traced back as far as ancient Egypt’s Ebers Papyrus (1550BC). Ancient Egypt also brought to us one of the earliest women recorded in science, Merit Ptah. She was the first woman named in the history of medicine, and the world’s first chief female physician. Since then, modern day science and medicine has witnessed many other influential and inspiring women from across the world paving the way for women’s rights and roles in health and science. Those that have challenged and shaped the status quo of today, from Elizabeth Blackwell the first female doctor in modern times, to the recent Nobel Prize awarded scientist and Chinese medicine researcher Tu Youyou for her development of artemisinin-based antimalarials.
In 2020, NICM Health Research Institute will host an inaugural one-day Symposium in the new Jacka Foundation Conference Centre, bringing together Australia’s most influential women in natural therapies to celebrate and mark International Women’s Day and women in STEM (Science, Technology, Industry and Mathematics).
Attracting leading researchers, clinicians, authors, vocal advocates, media presenters and industry groups from Australia, the Symposium will serve as both a recognition of the historical contributions over time that women have played, as well as providing a forum for further planning and motivation of the next generation of integrative and lifestyle medicine researchers and healthcare professionals.
Key speakers will share their candid insights and wisdom gained from their life learnings and leadership in the field, and discuss the future of healthcare choices and what’s ahead for complementary and integrative medicine and its new generation of women leaders.
Current key speakers include:
- Professor Kerryn Phelps AM, NICM Advisory Board Member and Adjunct
- Judy Jacka, Vice-Chair, Jacka Foundation of Natural Therapies
- Gail O’Brien AO, Patient Advocate, Board of Directors, Chris O'Brien Lifehouse
- Petrea King, Founder, Quest for Life Foundation
- Dr Penny Caldicott, President, Australasian Integrative Medicine Association
- Associate Professor Vicki Kotsirilos AM, NICM Research Committee Member and Adjunct
- Associate Professor Jennifer Hunter, NICM Research Committee Member and Adjunct, ISCMR Board
NICM Symposium 2020: Influential Women in Natural Therapies will be held at NICM Health Research Institute, Jacka Foundation Conference Centre, Level 2, Western Sydney University, Westmead campus on Wednesday, 11 March, 2020.
The official program will be available in November from the Symposium event page, along with further details on how to register for the Symposium.
