Don’t miss these keynote speakers at the 16th National Rural Health Conference

After a number of delays due to COVID-19, the 16th National Rural Health Conference is finally back and is on in Brisbane on 2–4 August 2022. This year’s theme is: Bridging social distance; rural health innovating and collaborating. The Conference is a great opportunity for everyone who is passionate about rural health to get together to share ideas and meet others who are committed to improving rural and remote health and wellbeing. Registrations are now open and you can check out the full program on the Conference website.

The Conference features more than 200 concurrent speakers as well as an impressive list of keynote speakers. Full details of speakers are available on the Conference website.

The opening session will feature Ms Rabia Siddique, a humanitarian lawyer, best-selling author and multi-award-winning international keynote speaker. Rabia’s powerful and engaging presentations on leadership, resilience, equality and diversity draw on her personal story of surviving a hostage crisis in Iraq, as well as her legal, military and psychology training.

Day One will also feature Dr Keith Suter and Dr Justin Yeung. Dr Suter is one of Australia’s most influential global futurists and media commentators in national and foreign affairs. He is renowned for explaining complex global and business issues in a way his audiences can digest and understand. Dr Yeung is a consultant emergency physician by training. He has had a number of leadership positions in WA Health in emergency medicine and medical services. He is currently Medical Director of the WA Country Health Service Command Centre, which incorporates a number of 24/7 clinical streams in acute telehealth – emergency, inpatient medicine, mental health, obstetrics and midwifery, palliative care and acute patient transfer coordination. Finally, the Chief Executive Officer of the National Rural Health Alliance, Dr Gabrielle O’Kane will share her insights and reflections drawing on her years as a rural health professional and her three years as CEO of the Alliance.

Day Two brings another compelling group of keynote speakers beginning with Mr Stan Grant, who needs little introduction as an award-winning media host, author and speaker. While Stan has more than 30 years’ experience in radio, TV and current affairs, working both in Australia and internationally, he also draws on how his Aboriginal heritage has shaped his dynamic, resilient personality. Professor Mark Howden, Director of the Institute for Climate, Energy and Disaster Solutions at Australian National University, and Mr Roland Sapsford, Chief Executive Officer of the Climate and Health Alliance, will then discuss the critical issue of climate change and its implications for health. The day concludes with Ms Shanna Whan, the founder and Chief Executive Officer of national charity Sober in the Country. Her advocacy and raw and often irreverently funny conversations have seen the life-saving message that it’s ‘OK2SAYNO’ (to beers in the bush) go national and international.

Day Three sees a keynote discussion – ‘The mouse that roared’: innovation in the face of adversity – featuring Ms Christine Giles and Dr Margaret Garde, experienced health professionals from Portland in Victoria. The Conference is then pleased to welcome Associate Professor Susan Wearne, the Senior Medical Adviser, Australian Government Department of Health, who will be sharing her insights on how to teach, train and retain the rural health workforce.

Over the three days of the Conference, delegates will also have the opportunity to hear from a number of federal politicians who will be instrumental in shaping rural health policy over the next few years.

To take up a sponsorship opportunity, please call Robyn Boak, Conference Manager at the National Rural Health Alliance, on 02 6285 4660 or email [email protected]

Limited opportunities are still available for the Conference exhibition. To book your exhibition booth please visit: www.ruralhealth.org.au/16nrhc/sponsorship-and-exhibition-options

We look forward to welcoming you to Brisbane for the 16th National Rural Health Conference.