MQ Health event series focusing on key health issues

Join our MQ Health clinicians, academics and affiliates to learn what you can do to keep you and your family healthy and well.

At MQ Health we believe it is important to make a long-term positive difference in the lives of our staff, doctors, patients and of the broader community in which we exist. We are also proud of the value we add to the community through our world-class clinical care, teaching and research.

As a way to engage directly with the community, MQ Health will host events focusing on key health issues important to the local community.

If there is a specific topic you are interested in hearing more about that you would like discussed at one of our future Wellness Series talks, please feel free to contact us via WellnessSeries@mqhealth.org.au.

Upcoming events

There are currently no events available at this time. Please check back later for more updates.

Event archive

See details of past MQ Health Wellness Series events, and associated videos where available.

2023

Keeping your skin healthyDate: 20 November 2023

The skin is the largest organ in the body. It acts as a barrier to protect the body from disease, infection and injury, therefore, keeping your skin healthy cannot be overemphasised.

We often treat our skin from the outside, but a big part of its health also comes from supporting it from the inside.

In support of National Skin Cancer Action Week, this presentation will help you better understand why the skin is so important, what affects your skins health and the practical ways to take good care of your skin, so your skin can keep taking good care of you.

View the video recording of this event

A woman stretching as she gets out of bedDate: 23 September 2023

Tired of tossing and turning at night?

We spend about one-third of our time asleep, therefore, a good night's sleep is just as important as regular exercise and a healthy diet. However, despite its importance, a large percentage of people find themselves regularly deprived of quality sleep and are notably sleepy during the day.

Join us during Sleep Week to better understand what quality sleep is, how disrupted sleep (or a 'bad nights sleep') affects your wellbeing and the simple tips that will help you sleep better and be more energetic and productive during the day.

View the video recording of this event

A man holding his stomachDate: 4 August 2023

Did you know that your gut is considered your second brain?

If you've ever 'gone with your gut' to make a decision, you're likely getting signals from your second brain.

We're becoming increasingly aware of the role our gut plays and the links between digestion, mood, health and even the way you think. With so much information out there, it can be overwhelming to know what to eat, when to eat it and the impact it is having on your overall health and wellbeing.

In this presentation, learn all there is to know about your gut where we explore why the gut is so important, common signs that indicate an 'unhappy' gut, the brain-gut connection and diet and lifestyle tips for a health gut.

View the video recording of this event

A woman in an office late at nightDate: 24 July 2023

Annually, more than 12 billion workdays are lost due to stress, depression and anxiety with four in ten people worldwide reporting feeling regularly stressed. We all experience stress but
may experience it in different ways. Whether this experience is a physical, mental, or emotional strain or tension, stress is a reaction to a situation where you may feel anxious, overwhelmed or threatened.

Learning to cope with our stress and finding healthy ways to deal with difficult situations can help you continue to live a healthy and positive life.

In support of 'Stress Down Day', this presentation will highlight the stigma around stress, recognising its effects, and what you can do to manage your stress before it becomes a problem.

View the video recording of this event

A mother getting her son ready for schoolDate: 14 July 2023

Whether your child is heading back to primary school or high school – or starting school for the first time – this can be a time full of emotions and challenges for parents and carers. It's normal to feel anxious and uncertain, however, families can prepare for this time by being armed with simple strategies.

To help take some of the stress out of the back-to-school period, this presentation provides tips for parents to support and manage your child's return to school focusing on the importance of nutrition and healthy habits, sleep and routine, mental health, and after school wellbeing.

View video recording of this event

An outstretched hand holding a breast cancer awareness ribbonDate: 26 June 2023

Whilst cervical cancer can be diagnosed at an early stage by a PAP smear and breast cancer by ultrasound or mammogram, an early detection test for ovarian cancer does not exist and can often go undetected until the advanced stages of the disease.

That is why it is especially important to recognise warning signs and learn what you can do to reduce your risk.

View the event recording below to hear about the importance and types of risk factors, signs and symptoms, diagnosis, treatment and prevention of these three specific cancers affecting women.

Topics include:

  • Preventable causes of cancer and the Importance of Cancer Screening - Dr Dhanusha Sabanathan
  • Ovarian and cervical cancer screening and treatments – Abby Fyfe
  • Breast cancer screening and treatments – Dr Negin Sedaghat

View the video recording of this event

Someone holding a blue ribbonDate: 15 June 2023

Statistics show that men have a higher rate of getting cancer with 1 in 2 men developing some form of cancer in their lifetime. The most common of these being skin, bowel, prostate and testicular.

You can't control some of the risk factors, like getting older, but the good news is that you can control many others to reduce your risk or help find cancer earlier. The earlier it's found, the better.

Presented during Mens Health Week, view the event recording below to hear from healthcare experts about the importance and types of risk factors, signs and symptoms, diagnosis, treatment and prevention of these specific cancers affecting men.

Topics include:

  • Preventable causes of cancer and the importance of cancer screening – Dr Darran Foo
  • Skin cancer screening and treatments – Dr Jaiti Khosla
  • Bowel cancer screening and treatments – Dr Henry Cheung
  • Prostate and testicular cancer screening and treatments – Dr Benjamin Namdarian

View the video recording of this event

Medical personell injecting luquid from a syringe onto a petri dish Date: 25 May 2023

Australia is home to some of the worlds best health professionals, researchers, medical standards and a world class research infrastructure, making it an advantageous place to conduct clinical trials.

Without clinical trials, we would not have the treatments we have today. They can show what does and doesn't work in humans leading to the discovery of new treatments, as well as alternative ways to detect, diagnose and reduce the chance of developing diseases.

This presentation, by Nicola Chapman (Head of Clinical Operations, Clinical Trials Unit) will tell you what you need to know about clinical trials, how they work, why we need them and the potential risks and benefits of participating in one.

View the video recording of this event

Two people in the parkDate: 23 February 2023

Heart disease remains the leading cause of death in Australia with more than 4 million of the population living with one or more heart-related conditions.

View the event recording below to gain a better understanding of the signs and symptoms of heart conditions, when to see your doctor and the preventative measures to take so that you can enjoy a healthy lifestyle.

Presented by Dr Catherine Smillie, this event featured presentations by:

Dr Darran Foo (General Practitioner)
Exploring the different ways to best manage and reduce cardiovascular risk.

Dr Dhruv Nayyar (Consultant Cardiologist)
Diving deep into cardiac investigations performed in the clinic to diagnose common cardiac diseases.

Ms Valentina Duong (Accredited Practising Dietician)
Uncovering the importance of nutrition by focusing on how diet impacts your cardiac health and presenting actionable dietary strategies to improve heart health and well-being.

View the video recording of this event

2022

Two older people riding bikes in a parkDate: 27 October 2022

As we grow older, we experience several life changes that directly impact our well-being and those around us, whether this is transitioning ourselves or our loved ones into aged care, retiring from the workforce, losing those close to us or facing health challenges.

Preparing for and learning how to adapt to these changes can often bring feelings of confusion, fear and a loss of independence. Our ability to handle these changes by staying physically and socially active, finding new things we enjoy and feeling connected to our community is key to ageing well.

Join our MQ Health clinicians and academics, facilitated by Professor Simon Willcock, to better understand how to cope with these changes and what you can do to keep yourself and your loved ones well. We will explore the following:

Healthy ageing – Professor Sanjyot Vagholkar
Understanding how to prepare for health impacts that arise as we grow older, and how to take control as we begin to feel like we are losing control.

Mental wellbeing – Professor Viviana Wuthrich
Through her research that looks at improving one’s well-being in relation to mental disorders, this discussion will focus on understanding and treating anxiety and depression in older adults. She will also touch on health conditions in the community, residential aged care and more.

Social wellbeing – Dr Jessamine Chen
Uncovering how social participation and social connections benefit older adults, in addition to understanding the barriers and facilitators that come along with it.

Reducing the risk of dementia – Dr Alice Powell 
Exploring the physical, mental and social factors that can help to reduce the risk of dementia as you age. She will also touch on the risk factors that cannot be controlled.

View the recording online

A young child playing with coloured blocksDate: 9 June 2022

Your child’s early years are a time of excitement, discovery and building strong foundations for the future. For many parents and carers, this can also be a time of uncertainty.

It’s a time of rapid change and growth for your child. Your child is changing physically, cognitively, socially and emotionally – and this can be difficult to navigate. Our presenters will share strategies to facilitate your child’s development as well as information on what to do and where to go if
you have concerns.

Join MQ Health clinicians and academics to discover how you can build the best foundations for your child for life.

View the event recording online

Feet standing on a scale, with a tape measure in frontDate: 30 March 2022

The RACGP reported that one in three Australians have gained weight since the start of the Covid-19 pandemic.

Excess weight and obesity present increased risk for cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes, some musculoskeletal conditions and cancers, as well as more severe Covid-19 illness and death. It is therefore important to maintain healthy weight, and this is dependent on many factors.

Join MQ Health clinicians and academics on this webinar to better understand how you can maintain healthy weight for life.

Presentations will be followed by a live Q&A session.

Topics will include:

  • nutrition for healthy weight
  • movement for healthy weight
  • metabolic health and wellness

View our event speaker bios

View the event recording online

Previous years

A man holding his kneeDate: 15 December 2021

Participating in sport and exercise brings about health and social benefits to individuals and local communities. You don't have to be an athlete to take part. Empowering yourself with information about sports safety can allow you to enjoy the benefits.

Join MQ Health academics and clinicians as they provide insights into prevention and management of sports and exercise injuries.

Topics will include:

  • common injuries and looking after your limbs
  • concussion and head safety
  • tips for prevention and rehabilitation

View our wellness series speakers

View the event recording online

A woman walking in an airport wearing a face maskDate: 29 September 2021

The COVID-19 pandemic has challenged us all. We have had to make decisions that affect our health and our livelihood, in an ever-changing environment.

Health academics and clinicians discuss ways to navigate these unprecedented times, including information about the public health context, the primary care response, and practical tips for taking care of your mental wellbeing.

View the event recording online

An older woman with her carerDate: 30 September 2021

Dementia is the second leading cause of death in Australia, with an estimate of 459,000 Australians living with dementia, and almost 1.6 million involved in the care of someone living with dementia (source: Dementia Australia).

Gain a deeper understanding of dementia and what you can do to keep yourself and your loved ones well.

View the event recording online

A nurse making a heart shape with their handsDate: 25 June 2020

More than 15 percent of Australians are living with cardiovascular disease (CVD), experiencing conditions such as coronary heart disease, heart failure and stroke.

Gain a deeper understanding of the risk factors that contribute to CVD and learn what you can do to minimise them and enjoy a healthier lifestyle.

View the event recording online

A woman sick in bedDate: 12 March 2020

How exactly does sleep impact our health? How do we make sleep a priority in our busy lifestyles?

In the lead up to World Sleep Day, gain a deeper understanding of sleep and of what you can do to get better sleep for better health.

View the event recording online

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