Foundations of Nutritional and Environmental Medicine Part 1

Understanding the Principles. Building Clinical Confidence. Restoring Health.

Saturday 13 March 2027 | Melbourne + On-Demand Online Learning 

Discover the foundations of integrative medicine with ACNEM's newly updated Foundations of Nutritional and Environmental Medicine course. 

Designed for healthcare professionals looking to develop or strengthen their understanding of integrative medicine, this comprehensive course provides an evidence-informed introduction to the principles of nutritional, environmental and lifestyle medicine and their application in clinical practice. 

As a foundational module within the ACNEM Fellowship pathway, this course provides an essential starting point for practitioners pursuing further education in Nutritional and Environmental Medicine. It is also suitable for those new to integrative medicine or looking to build confidence in incorporating a more comprehensive, patient-centred approach into their clinical practice. 

Bringing together leading clinicians and educators, the program explores the interconnected factors influencing health and chronic disease, moving beyond isolated symptoms to consider the role of nutrition, lifestyle, environmental exposures and whole-person care. 

The course combines a full day of face-to-face education in Melbourne with additional on-demand online learning, offering foundational theory and practical clinical application through expert presentations, case studies and interactive discussion. 
Event features
  • Speakers: 8
  • Case Studies: 3
  • Recording: 12 months
  • Presentations: 12
  • Live Q&As: 1
Location
Amora Herencia Riverwalk Melbourne
649 Bridge Road,
Richmond, Victoria
MC
Dr. Caitlin O’Mahony
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Speakers
Dr. Christabelle Yeoh, Dr. Paul Taylor, Dr. Nicole Bijlsma, Dr. Nick Morgan, Tabitha McIntosh, Dr. Elizabeth Steels, Dr. Michelle Woolhouse
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Foundations of NEM Part 1: In-Person Ticket

Saturday 13th March 2027

EARLY BIRD SALE
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Foundations of NEM Part 1: Virtual Ticket

Saturday 13th March 2027

EARLY BIRD SALE

What participants will learn 

Participants will gain a deeper understanding of: 

  • The principles of integrative medicine and how nutritional, environmental and lifestyle approaches can complement conventional healthcare. 
  • Lifestyle medicine, including the role of movement, sleep, stress management and other lifestyle factors in supporting long-term health. 
  • Environmental health, exploring how environmental exposures may influence health and chronic disease, with practical case-based applications. 
  • The role of nutrition in health, including whole-food nutrition principles, dietary approaches and their application in patient care. 
  • Micronutrient medicine, introducing the role of essential vitamins and minerals in human health and clinical practice. 
  • Mental health and chronic disease, exploring the relationship between psychological wellbeing and physical health. 
  • Herbal medicine, including its foundational principles and role within an integrative healthcare framework. 
  • Practical clinical application, using case studies and interactive discussions to translate foundational knowledge into patient-centred care.

Topic Overview

Topics
Speaker
Day 1: In-Person & livestreamed
Introduction to Integrative Medicine
The principles of integrative medicine, determinants of 
health and disease, and approaches to chronic illness
Dr. Christabelle Yeoh
Introduction to Lifestyle Medicine
Exercise, sleep and circadian health in chronic disease 
prevention and management
Dr. Paul Taylor
Introduction to Environmental Health
The impact of chemical, biological, physical and 
psychosocial environmental exposures on health
Dr. Nicole Bijlsma
Environmental Health: Case Studies & Clinical Application
Applying environmental medicine principles to patient 
assessment, exposure history and treatment planning
Dr. Nick Morgan 
Role of Diet in Health: Principles of Whole Food Nutrition
The role of whole-food nutrition, macronutrients and 
nutrient density in health and chronic disease
Tabitha McIntosh
Foundational Integrative Medicine Case Approach & Clinical Application
A practical, case-based approach to assessing complex patients using the core principles of integrative medicine
Dr. Nick Morgan 
Clinical Conversations: Live Q&A Panel
An interactive discussion exploring key learnings and their application in clinical practice
Hosted by Dr. Caitlin O’Mahony
Day 2: Online
Comparing Dietary Approaches & Case Study
Comparing dietary approaches and exploring their 
application through clinical case studies
Tabitha McIntosh
Introduction to Micronutrients
Essential vitamins and minerals, common deficiency signs, supplementation and clinical considerations
Dr. Elizabeth Steels
The Role of Mental Health in Chronic Disease
The influence of stress, emotional health and nervous 
system regulation on chronic disease
Dr. Michelle Woolhouse
The Hidden Impact of Environmental Exposures on Health
Exploring the often-overlooked environmental factors that may contribute to chronic illness
Dr. Nicole Bijlsma
NEM Practice: What you need to know
Medicare, PBS, & practice models
Dr. Caitlin O’Mahony

Who is this course for?

This course is designed for healthcare practitioners who are new to integrative medicine, considering incorporating integrative approaches into their practice, or seeking to consolidate their foundational knowledge.

It is particularly relevant for:
  • Medical practitioners and GPs: interested in broadening their clinical approach to include nutritional, environmental and lifestyle medicine.
  • Nurses and allied health professionals: seeking a greater understanding of integrative medicine principles and their application in patient care.
  • Chiropractors, physiotherapists and exercise physiologists: interested in incorporating broader nutritional, environmental and lifestyle perspectives into patient management.
  • Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) practitioners: seeking to expand their understanding of evidence-based nutritional and environmental medicine.
  • Integrative dentists: interested in the relationship between oral health, systemic health, nutrition and environmental exposures.
  • Integrative dietitians: seeking to broaden their understanding of environmental medicine, micronutrients, herbal medicine and whole-person healthcare.
  • Healthcare students and early-career practitioners: looking to establish a strong foundation in integrative and preventative healthcare.

No prior experience in integrative medicine is required. The course provides an accessible, evidence-based introduction and a structured foundation for further clinical education.

Event Details

Venue: Amora Herencia Riverwalk Melbourne
649 Bridge Road, Richmond, Victoria

Saturday 13th March 2027
Time: Registration 8:30AM; Start 9:00AM; Morning tea 11:15AM; Lunch 1:00PM; Afternoon tea 3:30PM; Networking Drinks 4:30PM

Sunday 14th March 2027
Online component released

In person & live-streamed event. Recording available for 12 months post-event

Ticket Prices

Early Bird Prices Now Available - Ends Friday 29 January

Member: $440, EARLY BIRD: $400
Non-member: $550, EARLY BIRD: $500

Refresher Discount - 50% Off
Already completed Foundations of NEM Part 1? Refresh your knowledge and catch up on the latest research. Contact us at mail@acnem.org for a 50% discount code.

ACNEM Student Members
Contact mail@acnem.org for a discount code on tickets.

Your foundation for further learning 

As a foundational component of the ACNEM Fellowship pathway, this course provides an important educational framework for practitioners wishing to continue their professional development in Nutritional and Environmental Medicine. 

By establishing a strong understanding of the principles, scientific foundations and clinical applications of integrative medicine, practitioners can build the knowledge and confidence needed to progress into more advanced areas of learning. 

Whether you are beginning your journey in integrative medicine or strengthening your existing clinical approach, this course provides an opportunity to develop practical knowledge, explore new perspectives and connect with a community of healthcare professionals committed to improving patient outcomes. 

Build your knowledge. Strengthen your clinical foundations. Take the next step in integrative medicine. 

Register for Foundations of Nutritional & Environmental Medicine 2027. 

Event Sponsors

To enquire about sponsorship, please email partners@acnem.org.

MEET THE PRESENTERS

Dr. Christabelle Yeoh

MBBS, MRCP(UK), MSC(Nutr), FACNEM 
Dr. Christabelle Yeoh has over 2 decades of experience in clinical care, most of which has focused on understanding root causes of chronic disease. She works with her patients to optimise their biophysical health, mitochondrial health, digestive function microbiome and brain performance. She applies the premise that dysfunctions can be corrected with established practices of nutritional and environmental medicine and selective rehab to support neuroplasticity. Through understanding foundational biophysics, biochemistry, functional medicine testing and clinical assessments, she guides people through specific lifestyle and nutrient advice to positively influence energy and metabolism. Dr. Yeoh dedicates her practice to working with patients with complex chronic conditions, neuro-immune mediated or chronic inflammatory illness. Understanding and applying the biophysics of health to optimise foundations to health is a missing piece in chronic disease management. She is passionate about sharing her in-depth knowledge on the interconnectedness of human metabolism, biology and behaviour. 

Dr. Yeoh 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 worked as a general physician with an interest in Nutritional and Environmental Medicine. She was a director (2014-2021) and president (2016-2018) at the Australasian College of Nutritional and Environmental Medicine (ACNEM) and is active on the teaching faculty.

Dr. Paul Taylor

PhD, MSc(ExercSci), MSc(HumNutr), PostGradCert(Neurosci.), BSc(Hons), ACSM Health & Fitness Instructor
Dr. Paul Taylor is a Psychophysiologist, with a PhD in Psychology, separate master’s degrees in Exercise Science and Nutrition and a postgraduate qualification in Neuroscience. A former Royal Navy Officer and former Adjunct Professor at University of San Francisco, Paul is a leading expert in hardiness – the cutting-edge science that transforms stress into competitive advantage. As Director of Paul Taylor Consulting, he delivers keynote talks and hardiness training, leadership and performance workshops to companies such as Oracle, SAP, PWC, NAB, CBA, BUPA & the Australian Military. He has conducted published research that shows that his programs have proven benefits for increasing hardiness, cognitive function and employee wellbeing, whilst reducing burnout across multiple industries. Paul is the author of the best-selling, multiple award-winning book “Death by Comfort” and has just released his second book, “The Hardiness Effect”. Paul also hosts a podcast, Hardiness with Dr. Paul Taylor which is in the top 0.5% of all podcasts globally, and has developed a Hardiness app to help people develop this crucial life skill. He has co-hosted the TV series “Body and Brain Overhaul”, appeared regularly on “The Biggest Loser” Australia as a subject matter expert on Biological Age testing, and has been voted Australian Fitness Industry presenter of the year twice. Paul’s high-pressure leadership experience includes roles as Airborne Anti-submarine Warfare Officer and Helicopter Search-And-Rescue Crew Member with the Royal Navy Fleet Air Arm. He’s undergone rigorous Military Combat Survival training, became a professional boxer in 2012, and in 2021, both Paul and his son Oscar became Australian Karate Champions.

Dr. Nicole Bijlsma

PhD, ND, BHScAc(Hons), GradDipOHS, DipBuildingBio, Certified Mould Remediator, Ct IV Feng Shui, Ct IV TAE
Nicole is a researcher, bestselling author (Healthy Home Healthy Family) and founder of the Healthy Home (Building Biology) movement in Australia. She established the Australian College of Environmental Studies in 1999 to educate people about the health hazards in the built environment. Nicole has lectured at tertiary institutions for over 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. Her PhD research explored the impact of environmental exposures on human health and their ramifications for general medical practice.

Dr. Nicholas Morgan

BMed, FRACGP, FACNEM, DipTM&H 
Dr. Nick is an Integrative Medical Practitioner committed to the ever-evolving study of environmental drivers to inflammatory illness. After graduating medical school in 2014, he went on to obtain a Diploma of Tropical Medicine & Hygiene in Liverpool, UK in 2018, then a RACGP GP Fellowship. Following this, personal health circumstances motivated him to delve into the multiple imbalances that can ensue in the setting of myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome. Further study in mast cell immunology, chronic infections, gut microbiome, and bioidentical hormones all proved essential in providing the tools necessary to address the chronic inflammatory effects of ME/CFS and other chronic inflammatory illnesses. Special Interests: Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, Long COVID, CIRS, Fibromyalgia, Autoimmune diseases, Gut health (including Dysbiosis, SIBO, IBS, Dysmotility, Intestinal Hyperpermeability), Chronic infections, Mast Cell Activation Syndrome. Qualifications: Fellow of the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners, Fellow of the Australasian College of Nutritional and Environmental Medicine, Awarded Distinction in the Diploma of Tropical Medicine & Hygiene Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, UK.

Tabitha McIntosh

BMedSc, MSc, AdvDip(Nat), Dip(Nutr), PostGradDip(NEM) 
Tabitha is an experienced Naturopath, founder & director of Awaken Your Health in Sydney, integrating Naturopathic healing principles with the latest scientific research to educate and empower her clients.
After attaining her Bachelor of Medical Science (University of NSW, 2001), she went on to pursue her passion for Integrative healthcare by completing an Advanced Diploma Naturopathy & Diploma Nutrition (Nature Care College, 2005), and Post Grad Dip of Applied Science in Nutritional & Environmental Medicine (Swinburne University, 2006). She has also completed a Masters in Reproductive Medicine through the School of Medicine (University of NSW 2022).  Tabitha is passionate about the wellbeing of her clients, and she works collaboratively with each client and their unique healthcare team including GPs, Fertility Specialists, Obstetricians, Endocrinologists, Oncologists and allied health to ensure optimal health outcomes. Her integrative work with cancer patients facilitates the reduction of side effects of conventional treatment and empowers her clients through better nutrition to improve outcomes and quality of life. She feels her integrative oncology work is very important work, and she values the opportunity to provide guidance and to bridge the gap in care, empowering her clients to advocate for themselves well at a critical time in their lives. 

Dr. Michelle Woolhouse

MBBS, FRACGP, FACNEM, FASLM
Dr. Michelle Woolhouse, an integrative GP, believes in a holistic approach to healthcare, addressing the emotional, physical, mental, spiritual, and environmental aspects of a person’s well-being. With extensive training in medicine, nutrition, mind-body medicine, and various healing techniques. She is the founding medical director of Vively (CGM to simplify successful metabolic health), co-founder of Enliven Retreats, the author of The Wonder Within, and faculty team member of ACNEM. Dr. Woolhouse emphasises a balanced approach to health and wellness, advising patients to enjoy everything in moderation. 

Dr. Elizabeth Steels

PhD, BA(Clin Biochem), BA(Nutr Diet) 
Dr. Elizabeth Steels is a biomedical scientist, biochemist, and nutritionist. Having completed her PhD 30 years ago focussed on cellular oxygenation and regeneration, her interests became firmly fixed on the value of polyphenols in health and disease. Her career has ranged from pharmaceutical to natural medicine manufacturing, product development, formulations, clinical trials, clinical practice and regulatory affairs. She is an Adjunct Senior Research Fellow in the Dept of Pharmacy, School of Medicine, University of Queensland and mentors a growing team of MPhil and PhD students. She is a principal for a CRO specialising in innovative and unique clinical design with a regulatory and commercial focus of natural medicine focussing on innovative claims and clinical trials of polyphenols, eco-cannabinoids and botanicals. She is also Head of Research & Development at Integria Healthcare. She is well-published and often speaks at academic and industry events.