* Moderator: Heleen Roex

Dr Heleen Roex is a retired paediatrician who was educated in the Netherlands (Doctor of Medicine, Cum Laude, University of Utrecht; Medical Specialist, Paediatrician). She holds a Certificate in Plant-Based Nutrition through eCornell University and has qualified as a Food For Life instructor with the Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine in Washington DC. She conducts community courses in her hometown of Adelaide in this capacity. Heleen has co-organised, presented at and attended numerous Australian, North American and European plant-based nutrition conferences, symposia, grand rounds and community events. She co-founded Doctors For Nutrition in 2018 with Lucy Stegley, and is chair of the Board of Directors.

* Juliette Roex, GP registrar

Dr. Juliette Roex (MBBS, Hons (BMedSc)) is currently in GP training in Adelaide, South Australia after graduating from medical school in 2017. Her view of the ‘health’-care system forever changed when her mother introduced her to the world of whole-food plant-based nutrition in 2010 in her first year of medical school. Juliette’s dream is to empower patients and the broader community to adopt a healthier lifestyle that optimises the well-being of themselves, animals and the planet alike. In 2017, Juliette completed a rotation at True North in Santa Rosa, California, under the guidance of Dr Alan Goldhamer, Dr Michael Klaper and Dr Doug Lisle. She holds a Certificate in Plant-Based Nutrition through eCornell University and continues to speak at a variety of conferences to promote the message of evidence based nutrition.

* Deeni Betar-Young, registered dietitian, APD, AN

Deeni is a dietitian and nutritionist, educated at Flinders University. She works in private practice, providing consultations to people in Adelaide and around the world via Skype. One of her main areas of endeavour is in helping people transition to and maintain plant-based diets, particularly to prevent, manage and treat chronic conditions. Deeni also specialises in gastrointestinal disorders and food in tolerances, and uses behaviour change counselling to motivate people to overcome their personal health challenges. Deeni personally adopted a plant-based diet in 2013. This was motivated by numerous factors and she feels it is the single best lifestyle change she’s ever made. Continually amazed by the incredible results her patients have achieved from moving towards more healthy plant-based diets is a big part of what fuels Deeni to continue being a passionate advocate for this way of eating.

* Adrian Griscti, GP

Dr Adrian Griscti has been a rural GP for over 33 years and has practised the full gamut of procedural tasks including Obstetrics and Anaesthetics. In 2013, at the insistence of his wife, he was introduced to the health benefits of a plant based diet through reading The China Study. Subsequently, in 2014 Adrian completed the Certificate in Plant Based Nutrition through eCornell University. In 2018, he obtained his Fellowship of the Australasian Society of Lifestyle Medicine. Adrian is now known as “the vegan doctor” and his own blood work is exemplary of improved health – with a drop of over 40% in his total cholesterol. His practice focuses on counselling and educating patients on the health benefits of not only a whole food plant based diet but also a healthy lifestyle in general. Adrian is also involved in teaching medical students from both Adelaide and Flinders Universities.

* Sobath Lufti, RN, MBA, Master of Health Science, Executive Director of Nursing at Serene Residential Care Services.

Sohbat has worked in healthcare management since 2002, following the completion of his Master of Business Administration (MBA) & Master of Health Science. He is a qualified RN and the Executive Director of Nursing at Serene Residential Care Services. Sobath is passionate about Whole Food Plant Based (WFPB) nutrition and holds a Certificate in Plant-Based Nutrition through eCornell University. In 2018, he started promoting WFPB nutrition among older people through a regular online newsletters to inspire health throughout the lifespan.

* Rebecca Stonor

“After her own experience with the benefits of a changed diet, Rebecca has become a plant-based nutrition advocate. She continues to successfully use a low fat, whole food plant-based diet to recover from both Multiple Sclerosis and Hashimoto’s Thyroiditis. Rebecca is passionate about helping others overcome chronic illness through sustainable lifestyle change.

Her work showcases the science behind this approach to eating. Rebecca has completed her certification in Plant-based Nutrition through eCornell University and conducts workshops, cooking demonstrations and talks in South Australia. She shares her health recovery story, culinary creations and knowledge online at Just Eat Plants and Plant Powered Adelaide. Her mission is to inspire hope for those diagnosed with chronic illnesses, reduce the confusion around the science of plant-based eating and to dispel the stigma associated with MS”.