SALMA regularly hosts live CPD accredited webinars that cover a range of topics relevant to Lifestyle Medicine. These webinars are available to members for free. Non-members can purchase these webinars and obtain CPD points by completing and submitting the post-webinar evaluation form.
September Webinar
Background:
Dr Gemma Newman has worked in medicine for 18 years and is the Senior Partner at a family medical practice where she has worked for 14 years. She studied at the University of Wales College of Medicine and has worked in many specialties as a doctor including elderly care, endocrinology, paediatrics, obstetrics and gynaecology, psychiatry, general surgery, urology, vascular surgery, rehabilitation medicine and General Practice. She gained additional qualifications in gynaecology and family planning. She is a founding member and ambassador for PBHPUK and a member of BSLM.
Dr Newman has a specialist interest in holistic health, plant-based nutrition, and lifestyle medicine. In her practice she has come to understand that body, mind, and soul are not separate, and that it is only in addressing the root causes of stress and disconnection that we can truly heal, from the inside out.
Dr Newman is regularly invited to teach other doctors and the general public via training programs, podcasts and conferences about the benefits of plant-based nutrition. She has written chapters for textbooks on holistic health and plant-based nutrition as well as best selling books The Plant Power Doctor and Get Well, Stay Well.
Learning objectives:
1. Understand the current issues facing HCWs regarding mental health issues.
2. Explore the research on evidence-based ways to improve burnout amongst HCWs.
3. Understand practical takeaway lifestyle changes which can be implemented to improve mental health of HCWs.
August Webinar
Prof Lisa Micklesfield is currently a Research Professor and the Deputy Director in the SAMRC/Wits Developmental Pathways for Health Research Unit (DPHRU) at the University of the Witwatersrand in Johannesburg, South Africa. Her research has focused on non-communicable diseases and the life-course, with an emphasis on the role of physical activity. Musculoskeletal health has been a common theme throughout, with her earlier research focusing on the bone health of ultra-endurance athletes and then more recently shifting her focus to osteoporosis and sarcopenia in the aging adult especially in sub-Saharan Africa. This research, and other work examining diabetes risk in South African men and women, has also highlighted that internationally accepted cut-offs for diseases such as sarcopenia and diabetes may not be appropriate for our populations. She is passionate about creating awareness and change in this regard.
Learning objectives:
1. Analyse the data on NCDs and how the current diagnostic cut-offs were decided upon.
2. Explore the research done in African populations.
3. Highlight practical points which can be used in daily practice to improve management of NCDs in a diverse patient population.
July Webinar
We are thrilled to announce that this month we will be hosting an exciting talk by Dr Neal Barnard, the Founder and President of the Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine in Washington DC. Dr Barnard will be speaking to us about his new bestselling book, The Power Foods Diet, which uses groundbreaking research to show how certain foods can reduce appetite, trap calories in the gut, and increase the amount of calories burned after eating a meal. Here you will learn how to lose weight and sustain weight loss in a healthful way through a plant-based diet. This webinar is not CPD accredited.
June Webinar
Food Choices and the Environment
Background
The Earth’s ecosystems are in trouble and agriculture is a leading force in this planetary destruction. Scientists are now reporting that even if we were to eliminate all fossil fuel use overnight, we will not limit warming to 1.5 degrees or even 2 degrees without major changes to the way we produce food. Without changes to agriculture, we also face famine, wars, mass migrations, further biodiversity loss including collapse of oceans and insect populations. The good news is that each of us can contribute to the solution through our food choices every day and at every meal.
Three key learning objectives:
1. Participants will have a better understanding of the severity of the challenges facing humanity.
2. Participants will better understand the reasons why we urgently need to change the way we produce food.
3. Participants will know of key steps they can immediately take to contribute to a more hopeful outcome for humanity and our beautiful planet.
About the speaker
Dr Peter Johnston is an accredited practising dietitian with a Masters in Nutrition and Dietetics and a PhD in Human Genetics. Peter is also a fellow of the Australasian Society of Lifestyle Medicine and has completed health coaching training with Well Start Health.
May Webinar
Cancer and Lifestyle Medicine
In this talk, Dr Kassam will cover the role of diet and lifestyle approaches for cancer prevention. She will also discuss the emerging role of lifestyle medicine for improving outcomes for people living with and beyond a diagnosis of cancer.
Learning Objectives:
1. Explain the role of lifestyle in cancer prevention.
2. Explore the role of lifestyle interventions in patients with cancer.
3. Describe the benefits of lifestyle medicine in patient outcomes with cancer.
About the Speaker
Dr Shireen Kassam is a Consultant Haematologist, Certified Lifestyle Medicine Physician and Visiting Professor of Plant-Based Nutrition. She is founder of Plant-Based Health Professionals UK, a community interest company that provides education on healthy plant-based diets. Her first book, Eating Plant-Based, Scientific Answers to Your Nutrition Questions, co-authored with her sister Zahra, was published in January 2022. She has also co-edited the textbook Plant-Based Nutrition in Clinical Practice, published in September 2022.
November Webinar
Travel With Your Gym
We have the pleasure of announcing our November live webinar with the talented Amanda Oakes-Cornellison. Amanda will be discussing Exercise as Medicine – Movement on the Go. The learning objectives will focus on understanding the difference between movement and exercise and the benefits of exercise in preventing chronic illnesses. She will share knowledge of the different types of exercise (cardio, strength, weight training) and how this contributes to good general well-being. Finally, she will be sharing various tips to keep your body moving during the upcoming “silly season”.
Amanda has a number of accolades; she completed her BSc – Physiotherapy at the University of the Free State in 2001. She then went on to become Physiotherapy Head of Department at Botshabelo District Hospital from 2002 – 2006. Amanda has run her own private practice in Kathu in the Northern Cape (Amanda Oakes Physiotherapy) since 2007. In 2018 Amanda received her Post-graduate Diploma in Lifestyle Medicine from Avondale University in Australia. She is a Pilates Level 1 Instructor specialising in the Traditional Pilates Method of Mat Work. In 2022 she received her Masters Degree in Lifestyle Medicine from Avondale University Australia. It will be one you will not want to miss.
October Webinar
Lifting Emotional Well Being in South Africa!
This Mental Health Awareness Month our Webinar will be presented by Amanda Oakes-Cornellissen, with a special guest from Australia- Prof Darren Morton who is the creator of the internationally acclaimed “The Lift Project”.
Amanda will be sharing information on the fundamental constructs of “The Lift Project”. She will also explain how she successfully implemented these principles for the first time in South Africa in 2022 as part of her Masters thesis. This was a successful project ,the results of which were published in Frontiers.
Amanda and Prof. Darren will be sharing how “The Lift Project ” can be implemented as a Lifestyle Intervention Programme as a substitute for, or in collaboration with medication to manage mental health conditions.
Amanda Oakes-Cornellissen has been practicing as a Physiotherapist in South Africa for 20 years. Her passion for Lifestyle Medicine started in 2016 when she became a CHIP (Complete Health Improvement Programme) Facilitator and went on to obtain her Diploma in Lifestyle Medicine through Avondale University in 2018. More recently, she was awarded a Master’s Degree in Lifestyle Medicine through Avondale University, Australia in 2022.
Professor Darren Morton is the Director of the Lifestyle Medicine and Health Research Centre at Avondale University in Australia. He is the author of 3 books related to mental health and wellbeing, an international Lifestyle Medicine speaker and expert, and founder of The Lift Project.
September Webinar
The Fundamentals Of The Gut Microbiome
The gut microbiome is a novel field of medicine that incorporates microbiology, gastroenterology, immunology and neuropsychiatry. With each passing day, the importance of the bugs in our gut on our overall health is being understood.
If, like so many of us, you are excited to learn more about this expanding field but don’t know where to start then this is the perfect webinar for you.
Dr Altini will provide a comprehensive overview of the fundamentals of gut microbiome science and how it is affected by our lifestyle choices.
She will explain the role of the gut microbiome in our health and the factors affecting the diversity and health of our microbiota. In particular, she will focus on the role of diet in the gut microbiota as well as the difference between pre-, pro- and postbiotics. Finally, we will learn about the gut-brain axis and how the bugs in our gut impact our mental health.
Dr Altini graduated with her medical degree from the University of the Witwatersrand. She trained in microbiology at Groote Schuur Hospital and went on to join the Infectious Disease Epidemiology Unit in the School of Public Health and Family Medicine at the University of Cape Town and was appointed as the Deputy Director and Head of Microbicides Research.
Dr Altini then went on to work in private practice focusing on preventative medicine. She is a founding member of SALMA and our national secretary. Dr Altini is certified in Lifestyle Medicine, board-certified as a Health and Wellness Coach and certified in Mindfulness-Based Interventions.
We are thrilled to be able to learn from someone with her experience and background more about our gut microbiome.
August Webinar
Lifestyle Medicine and Women’s Health
This webinar covers the important topic of how lifestyle medicine can influence the management and outcomes of women’s health issues such as PCOS and endometriosis. Dr Glass also discusses the role of the microbiome in hormonal balance as well as the causes of systemic inflammation and how it influences women’s health.
Dr David Glass is the chairperson of SALMA with a diploma in Lifestyle Medicine, as certified by the International Board of Lifestyle Medicine in 2020.
Dr Glass qualified with an MBChB from UCT in 1975, completed his internship and community service by 1977 and then continued his medical career as the Medical Officer and Director of the Comprehensive Health Care Project at the Maluti Adventist Hospital in Lesotho from July 1977 to 1984. Following this, Dr Glass worked as the Medical Superintendent at the Maluti Adventist Hospital from 1984-1989. From 1990 to 1994, he worked as a Registrar in the Dept of Obstetrics and Gynaecology at the University of Cape Town. Once qualified as an obstetric consultant, Dr Glass opened up a private O&G practice in Port Shepstone, KZN from 1994- 2022.
July Webinar
Diet for Diabetes Remission
Diabetes is the second leading cause of death in South Africa. From surgical wards to obstetric wards, you are guaranteed to encounter it.
Traditionally, the role of type 2 diabetes management is to control glucose and prevent complications from developing.
In this webinar, you will hear about the latest research regarding type 2 diabetes remission, the criteria for remission, which diets are the most effective at managing diabetes and practical considerations to be mindful of when deprescribing diabetes treatment.
Dr Roxie Becker graduated from the University of Cape Town with an MBChB, cum laude, in 2018. She is the SALMA Vice-President and holds a diploma in Lifestyle Medicine and a certification in plant-based nutrition. She is passionate about promoting a healthy lifestyle to prevent the suffering associated with many diseases we see today.
June Webinar
A Coaching Perspective
Assisting with Behaviour Change; a Coaching Perspective, presented by one of SALMA’s founding board members and secretary, Dr Lydia Altini on 29 June 2023.
Dr Altini uses her perspective as a medical doctor, certified Lifestyle Medicine Physician and wellness coach to implement a practical approach for health care providers in overcoming the challenges of behaviour change amongst patients.
As health care providers, we are aware that positive behaviour change is critical for the management, treatment and prevention of chronic disease and risk mitigation. Yet, supporting our patients to implement behaviour change can be challenging. The traditional approach of instructing the patient and providing solutions often serves only to generate passivity in the patient or make them more resistant to change, especially if they feel their autonomy is compromised.
In this webinar, you will learn how to motivate change using a coaching perspective to support your patient in building the confidence that is essential to sustainable health behaviours.
May Webinar
Sleep: The Magic Pill?
In this webinar, you will learn the physiology of sleep, the most common sleep disorders, and how to correct them with lifestyle interventions. You will also learn some of the basic pharmacology, benefits and side effects of commonly prescribed sleep aids.
April Webinar
Metabolic Syndrome: Disease Car or Health Care?
With at least a 1/3 of South Africans suffering from Metabolic Syndrome and that figure rising the need for us as healthcare workers to understand and tackle the lifestyle components that lead to Metabolic Syndrome has never been so pressing.
In this webinar, Dr Dave Glass unpacks the lifestyle factors which lead to metabolic syndrome. Learn from his immense wisdom, knowledge and experience how to assist yourself and your patients to use the latest scientific evidence to prevent, reverse and treat Metabolic Syndrome.
Dr Dave Glass has been passionate about lifestyle medicine and changes throughout his career. He qualified from UCT and then went on to specialise in Obstetrics and Gynaecology. He ran a busy private practice for nearly 30 years. In 2020 he certified in Lifestyle Medicine and went on to become the chairperson and one of the founding members of SALMA. In this role, he works to enhance and promote lifestyle medicine in South Africa.
March Webinar
Science on the Path of Health, Wellbeing and Fulfillment
Dr Iris Schrijver is a certified Lifestyle Medicine physician. She is passionate about science, education and the possibility of well-being for everyone. Her latest publication “On the path to health, wellbeing, and fulfilment: To your health” investigates what we think we know about healthy living and reveals the influences on our understanding of health information. It uses science to guide the reader to health by understanding the causes of disease and improved well-being.
Dr Iris Schrijver is also a certified clinical pathologist and clinical molecular geneticist. She worked for many years at Stanford University and is now an Adjunct Clinical Professor of Pathology at the Stanford University School of Medicine.
ln this webinar Dr Schrijver unpacks fact from fiction in the world of health and wellness and leaves you feeling empowered to improve your own life as well as the health of your patients.
February Webinar
What is Lifestyle Medicine?
In this introductory webinar, Dr Becker and Dr Mishan describe the history and growth of Lifestyle Medicine. They explain the 6 pillars of Lifestyle medicine and teach you a bit about each one. It is through adopting an overall healthy lifestyle including these 6 pillars- a whole food predominantly plant-based diet, sleep, physical activity, avoidance of harmful substances, social connection and stress management- that we are able to prevent, reverse and treat chronic lifestyle-related diseases.
Dr Roxanne Becker is a medical doctor who graduated from UCT with her MBChB cum laude in 2018. She has a diploma in Lifestyle Medicine and obtained her certification in plant-based nutrition from the University of Winchester 2022. She is passionate about fitness and plant-based nutrition and aims to reduce preventable human suffering through promoting lifestyle changes. She is currently the vice president and treasurer of SALMA and works for the Physician Committee for Responsible Medicine.
Dr Yakira Mishan is the SALMA president for 2023. She graduated with a MBBCH from Wits University and became a certified Lifestyle Medicine Physician in 2022. She is passionate about promoting Lifestyle Medicine and creating a model for healthcare over sick care.