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Transforming Health Through Nutrition: Education Session for Pharmacists, GPs, Nurses and Primary Health Workers

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Event description


Hosted in collaboration with the Pharmaceutical Society of New Zealand.

The Lancet Medical Journal has declared 2019 the year for nutrition - going as far as to say that food is the single strongest lever to optimise human health and sustainability on earth.

Lifestyle and nutrition are of critical importance in preventing and helping treat obesity and a wide range of diseases and health conditions. How can we best support patients to make positive, empowered progress in these areas?

During this session, general practitioner Dr Luke Wilson and pharmacist Hannah O’Malley of the Doctors For Nutrition charity will explore the health and environmental benefits of plant-based nutrition and consider how we can have engaging and evidence-based conversations in our communities to grow healthy habits. Through the interactive session, the following questions will be navigated:

  • Humans have been eating food for 300,000+ years - what have we learnt during that time?
  • How have we got to where we are now?
  • How can we eat in the 21st century to reclaim optimal health for ourselves, our communities, and our planet?
  • What is the evidence to support a diet based on plants?
  • What are the links between food, environmental health and human health?
  • What is the role of evidence-based lifestyle medicine and how can we use this alongside any necessary pharmaceuticals and/or surgical interventions?
  • How can pharmacists, GPs and other primary health workers inspire patients to affordably, sensibly and easily improve their diets?
  • What resources can support further learning?

Lifestyle medicine and whole food plant-based nutrition are evidence-based approaches that hold significant opportunities for improving public health, from the individual to the environment.

Primary health practitioners and interested parties from all disciplines are welcome at this session, which will provide a forum for exploring new concepts and reflecting on how nutrition and lifestyle medicine can complement our current professional practice for the benefit of our society. 

There is a $5 charge for non-PSNZ members. Please get in touch if the cost is a barrier to attending.


About Dr Luke Wilson

Luke is a GP based in windy Wellington. In 2016 Luke conducted the first whole foods plant-based study of its kind in New Zealand, has completed a Certificate in Plant-Based Nutrition, and is a Certified Physician with the International Board of Lifestyle Medicine.

Luke is a member of the New Zealand Medical Association, is a Director and NZ Ambassadoc for health promotion charity Doctors For Nutrition, was New Zealand’s first member of the American College of Lifestyle Medicine, and has experience helping hundreds of people transform their lives by adopting a whole foods plant-based lifestyle.

About Hannah O’Malley

Hannah is a clinical pharmacist based in sunny Nelson. Hannah has a Certificate in Clinical Pharmacy, a Certificate in Plant-Based Nutrition, is a member of the Australasian Society of Lifestyle Medicine, OraTaiao: NZ’s Health and Climate Council and is a member of the Doctors For Nutrition Advisory Council. 

Through Life Pharmacy Prices and The Better Base, Hannah provides innovative lifestyle services and hosts a range of health and environmentally focused events around NZ. Hannah was recently awarded runner-up in the PSNZ Shark Tank Innovation Competition for her work to support a social movement towards healthy, sustainable diets. 

About Doctors For Nutrition

Established in 2018, Doctors For Nutrition is a health promotion charity led by led by medical and dietetic professionals dedicated to bringing food back to healthcare. Visit doctorsfornutrition.org to meet our team, learn more about our projects and events​, access complimentary resources and subscribe to our e-news.


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