Our Articles

Lifestyle Medicine at AMSA National Convention ADL26

Doctors For Nutrition was proud to attend the Australian Medical Students’ Association (AMSA) National Convention, held in Adelaide from 1–5 July, as a sponsoring organisation committed to advancing evidence-based nutrition education among future doctors.

The Australian Medical Students’ Association (AMSA) National Convention is the largest annual gathering of medical students in Australia, bringing together future doctors for a week of learning, connection, and inspiration. Now in its 67th year, the 2026 convention embraced the theme “Explore the Unexpected,” encouraging students to challenge assumptions, broaden their perspectives, and engage with new ideas shaping the future of healthcare. This focus aligned strongly with the growing interest in lifestyle medicine as an emerging and transformative approach within clinical practice.

Across the five-day event, our team had the opportunity to connect with hundreds of medical students from across the country. These conversations were both energising and encouraging, with strong interest in our mission to create a world free from preventable disease through nutrition-led lifestyle medicine. It was clear that many students are seeking practical, evidence-based tools to better support their future patients—and are increasingly open to the role of nutrition in prevention and care.

A highlight of the convention was our fully booked breakout session, “Changing the Script: Transforming patient outcomes with Lifestyle Medicine,” which welcomed 150 engaged medical students. Presented by Dr Heleen Haitjema and Dr Juliette Roex, the session explored the science underpinning the core lifestyle medicine pillars and their role in the prevention, treatment, and even remission of chronic disease. The session combined rigorous evidence with real-world clinical insights, offering students a compelling vision of what patient care can look like when lifestyle is placed at the centre.

To bring these concepts to life, the session concluded with an interactive cooking demonstration by DFN’s CEO, Rebecca Stonor, featuring a Mediterranean Mason jar salad—an accessible, nutrient-dense example of how dietary patterns can support long-term health. A handful of students joined Rebecca on stage to assemble their own jars, adding a practical and memorable dimension to the learning experience.

A lot of nutrition we are taught in lectures is ‘wishy-washy’. It’s reassuring to see evidence based information out there!
AMSA ADL26 DELEGATE

In addition to the breakout session, Dr Juliette Roex was invited to attend a “Future Pathways” lunch at the Adelaide Convention Centre. This provided a valuable opportunity to speak directly with students about career pathways in lifestyle medicine and how they can contribute to a growing global movement focused on prevention, patient empowerment, and systems change.

Events like the AMSA National Convention play a critical role in shaping the perspectives and priorities of future doctors. By sponsoring and contributing to these student-led events, Doctors For Nutrition is helping to ensure that the next generation of clinicians is equipped with the knowledge, skills, and inspiration to address the root causes of chronic disease through nutrition and lifestyle medicine.