ACNEM Fellows: M – R

I started my healthcare journey as a theatre orderly at Wesley Hospital, then went on to complete training as a Registered Nurse at the Royal Brisbane Hospital. I then managed a medical centre and spent nine years as a pharmaceutical representative, and studied at night to complete a degree in Acupuncture and Chinese Herbal Medicine, then completed studies in Naturopathy. It was after this the I entered Medicine. Following the completion of my medical degree in 2003, I then completed my FRACGP in 2007 and went into general practice in Brisbane. I have since completed studies in skin cancer medicine and a Diploma of Skin Cancer Surgery, completed a Diploma of Aesthetic Medicine twice (in USA and Australia) and also completed a Fellowship in Anti-Aging, Metabolic and Functional Medicine through the American Academy of Anti-aging Medicine (A4M). Of course, most recently completing my Fellowship with ACNEM has been a long term goal. I currently practice in Chermside in Brisbane. I am happily married and have one grown son, and now have a beautiful baby girl who is 18 months old. I look forward to expanding my integrative medicine practice.

MBBS(Hons) MPH FRACGP FACNEM DRANZCOG Natalie works within a multidisciplinary clinic in the Yarra Valley, and is also a GP with Headspace and the Doctors in Secondary Schools program. She has previously worked with the Jean Hailes Centre for Women’s Health and Family Planning Victoria. Her professional interests include adolescent and women’s health. “My interest in nutritional medicine began as an undergraduate, as although we had very little formal teaching in nutrition, we were fortunate enough to have some lectures with Professor Avni Sali, who shared his own enthusiasm with us. Years later, one of my patients had a dramatic improvement in her autoimmune disease after changing her diet and lifestyle. She told me what she had done, and I was intrigued. It was not until one of my own children became very unwell however that I really recognised the power of nutritional and environmental medicine to heal. It was life changing for our family and I wanted to change my practice and learn more. “I really enjoyed studying for the fellowship. It took me four years altogether. The flexibility and self-paced nature of the modules was terrific – it fitted in well around work and family life. The content of all the modules and the standard of teaching was excellent. I felt well supported both by ACNEM and by colleagues who were always very generous in sharing their knowledge and experience. “For anyone considering ACNEM Fellowship I’d say to start! I have found the knowledge I have gained through ACNEM has been life changing on both a personal and professional level. You will be well supported, and it is wonderful to see patients become well. Nutritional and environmental medicine are such powerful tools for change, and I’ve found that my work satisfaction has greatly increased since I incorporated this knowledge into my practice.”

Dr Neil Simmons works as a general practitioner with an interest in natural therapies. He has worked with various modalities including acupuncture, herbs and diet. He mainly works with adults with chronic disease, and has a focus on treating the cause of disease. He completed the ACNEM Fellowship in September 2021 and this has helped him to integrate knowledge and skills in these areas.