Rural health symposium coming soon to Canberra

The 9th Rural and Remote Health Scientific Symposium, held on 20 and 21 June 2023, expects to welcome over 200 delegates to Canberra to help shape the future of rural and remote health research.

Organised by the National Rural Health Alliance (the Alliance), the symposium has an exciting line-up of high-profile speakers and a program that gives delegates the opportunity to learn, mentor, contribute and network.

The Hon Emma McBride MP, Assistant Minister for Rural & Regional Health and Assistant Minister for Mental Health & Suicide Prevention, will address delegates on the first day, followed by Adjunct Professor Ruth Stewart, National Rural Health Commissioner.

Delegates will also hear from James Blackwell, Research Fellow in Indigenous Diplomacy at the Australian National University, and member of the Uluru Dialogue at the University of New South Wales.

Alliance Chief Executive Susi Tegen said a diverse range of themes would be covered in the sessions, including paediatrics through to aged care; chronic disease; cancer; avoiding hospital admission; prevention; mental health; telehealth; training; and co-design. Workforce issues would also be discussed, along with research on the impact on health of natural disasters and climate change.

“Delegates can also attend workshops and listen to a panel discussion on the importance of rural and remote health research and funding,” Tegen added.

Other keynote and panel speakers include Dr Kim Houghton, Chief Economist at the Regional Australia Institute; physician and cardiologist Dr Arnagretta Hunter; Richard Juckes, Head of Population Health at the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (AIHW); Professor Jennifer May AM, Director of the University of Newcastle Department of Rural Health and Betty Fyffe Chair of Rural Health; Frank Quinlan, Federation Executive Director of the Royal Flying Doctor Service of Australia; and Dr Masha Somi, Chief Executive Officer of the Health and Medical Research Office within the Australian Government Department of Health and Aged Care.

With the symposium less than two weeks away, Tegan encouraged those who hadn’t already registered not to miss out on this opportunity to make research and community connections.

“We thank our partners, Australian Rural Health Education Network (ARHEN), the Federation of Rural Australian Medical Educators (FRAME) and the Lowitja Institute, for making this possible,” she said.

Click here to register.

Queries can be directed to the Alliance on 02 6285 4660 or conference@ruralhealth.org.au.

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