Foundations of NEM Part 1

Considered one of the leading experts in the treatment of gastrointestinal conditions with natural medicines, Dr. Hawrelak’s passion for gastrointestinal health, the gastrointestinal microbiota, and probiotics was ignited during the final year of his naturopathic training. Subsequently, Jason did his Honours (First Class) and PhD degrees in the areas of the gastrointestinal microbiota, irritable bowel syndrome, and the clinical applications of pre- and probiotics. He has written extensively in Australian and International textbooks and journals on these topics. Dr. Hawrelak is a naturopath, herbalist, and nutritionist with over 24 years of clinical experience. He regularly consults with patients from all over Australia and overseas who come to him for his expertise, extensive background knowledge, and experience in treating gastrointestinal conditions. It is for these same reasons that he regularly provides mentoring to other healthcare practitioners. Jason believes in the importance of ‘food as medicine’ and an individualised approach to care – using a range of skills and healing modalities, including dietary guidance, herbal medicine, nutritional supplementation, and lifestyle counselling to help patients achieve their health goals. Dr. Hawrelak has taught health professionals at both the undergraduate and postgraduate level for over 20 years. He teaches natural approaches to Gastroenterology within the University of Western States Master of Science in Human Nutrition and Functional Medicine program (Portland, Oregon). In addition, Dr. Hawrelak is Chief Research Officer at ProbioticAdvisor.com and founded the Microbiome Restoration Center. 

Dr. Gupta is a registered general practitioner, nutritional and environmental medicine specialist and researcher. He graduated from medical school at the University of Queensland in 1999 and has worked as a cardiology, medical and anaesthetic registrar. Dr. Gupta has received specialised training in integrative medicine and was awarded an ACNEM Fellowship in 2008 and a Fellowship of the Australian College of General Practitioners in 2010. As well as with ACNEM he has also lectured at the University of Queensland Medical Course in Brisbane, for A5M, and the Australian College of Medical Nutrition. He is an active board member for the Australian Chronic Infectious and Inflammatory Disease Society (ACIIDS). 

Caitlin has over 10 years of experience working in hospitals and GP clinics in Melbourne, Queensland and the Northern Territory and is currently working at the Flourish Health Group in Highett, Melbourne. She commenced her ACNEM Fellowship in 2018 and has since been fortunate to be mentored by some amazing Integrative GPs and naturopaths. In 2019 she co-founded the Victorian Integrative Practitioners (VIPs) to encourage like-minded practitioners to network, share ideas and learn. Caitlin is passionate about empowering patients to optimise their health and wellbeing through an integrative approach. She is especially interested in women’s health, as well as gut, cardiometabolic, and mental health and is fascinated by the interconnectedness of the body and mind and its incredible ability to heal. She loves cooking wholesome food, yoga/pilates, travelling and spending time with her family and friends. Caitlin joined the ACNEM Education Committee in 2019 to be closely involved in delivering high quality NEM training to other health practitioners. She was elected to the Board on 12th December 2020 then elected as Vice President in May 2022.