Fiona Wood Public Lecture Series
Tap into the expert knowledge of leading health professionals and learn about health topics relevant to you and your family at the free Fiona Wood Public Lecture Series.
Presented by SMHS, this free lecture series honours eminent Western Australian surgeon and researcher Professor Fiona Wood AM, renowned for her groundbreaking work in the treatment of burns.
The Fiona Wood Public Lecture Series provides an opportunity for you to hear first-hand about a range of health topics, from ageing and cancer to mental health and recovering from injury.
Lectures are presented by leading healthcare professionals from across our health service.
Join us at our next lecture
Breaking up with cigarettes (It’s not me, it’s you)
Come along to our final Fiona Wood Public Lecture Series event for 2025 where Fiona Stanly Hospital Consultant in Addiction Medicine, Dr Mike Christmass, will explore the science of nicotine addiction, why quitting can be so difficult, but why every attempt is worthwhile.
Ever wanted to kick the habit, or have a better understanding about you can support a loved one, colleague or friend to do the same?
Drawing on current best-practice guidelines, Dr Christmass will cover the role of personalised support, the health benefits of quitting, medicinal and behavioural treatment options, and the evolving evidence around nicotine replacement therapy and other alternatives.
Find out more about the steps you can take to end your relationship with nicotine for good and enjoy the benefits of living a smoke free life.
Bookings are essential. Book your ticket (external site) to this free event today.
Event details
- 6.00pm to 7.00pm, Tuesday 4 November 2025
- Lecture Theatre 1, Education Building, Fiona Stanley Hospital, 11 Robin Warren Drive, Murdoch, WA 6150.
- Best parking: Visitor car park 1 (enter via Robin Warren Drive) – see the hospital map and car parks (PDF 1MB).
- This is an in-person lecture and Q&A session.
Please note a podcast recording will be available on the SMHS website after the event.
For more information email SMHS Communications
About Dr Christmass
Dr Christmass is a Fellow of the Australasian Chapter of Addiction Medicine (Royal Australasian College of Physicians) and the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners and holds a PhD in research science.
He works as a Consultant in Addiction Medicine with the community substance use disorder treatment service for Fremantle and its surrounds, as well as with Fiona Stanley Hospital’s Alcohol and Other Drug Consultation-Liaison and Outpatient services. He was instrumental in establishing Western Australia’s first outpatient treatment clinic for stimulant use disorder.
In addition to clinical practice, Dr Christmass is an Adjunct Clinical Associate Professor at Curtin University Medical School and an Adjunct Research Fellow at the National Drug Research Institute. His research collaborations include partnerships with the Kirby Institute (UNSW), the National Centre for Clinical Research on Emerging Drugs, and the National Drug and Alcohol Research Centre (UNSW).
As both a clinician and researcher, Dr Christmass is dedicated to advancing evidence-based treatment for substance use disorders and improving health outcomes for individuals and communities.
Listen to previous lectures
Hear Fiona Stanley Fremantle Hospitals Group Ophthalmologist Dr Jon Lam chat about how you can keep your vision crystal clear as you age.
In this lecture, he touches on the challenges, myths and solutions associated with common eye issues and the small steps you can take to keep the windows to your body healthier for longer.
Jon is an ophthalmologist with specialist interests in vitreoretinal surgery and vitreoretinal oncology, including the management of choroidal melanoma. He currently works out of Fiona Stanley and Fremantle Hospitals, as well as the Perth Retina Clinic.
Listen as Fiona Stanley Fremantle Hospitals Group (FSFHG) cardiologist, Dr Nick Lan chats about all things heart health and cholesterol and how you can keep your heart in tip top shape.
Nick is also a Clinical Senior Lecturer at the University of Western Australia and specialises in preventive cardiology, with a particular interest in disorders of cholesterol. He has authored over 60 articles in medical journals and a book chapter on cholesterol and diabetes.
Listen to Nick's presentation (external site)
One in three Australians, including some children, have fatty liver disease and may not even know it.
Join us as Fiona Stanley Hospital liver specialist (hepatologist) Dr Koya Ayonrinde discusses what fatty liver is, how anyone can be susceptible to it, regardless of lifestyle, and how it is a major risk factor for heart disease, diabetes and liver cirrhosis.
From drinking alcohol to doing liver cleanses, Koya debunks all the common myths associated with fatty liver disease and lets you know how to effectively prevent or reverse it to live a long and healthy life.
Listen to Koya's presentation (external site) or read the transcript of his presentation (PDF 188KB).
Listen as Fiona Stanley Fremantle Hospital Group Endocrinologist Dr Ashley Makepeace covers what peri-menopause and menopause are, the signs and symptoms, the options available, and sources of reliable information including where to get help.
Listen as Fiona Stanley Fremantle Hospitals Group Professor of Mental Health and Consultant Psychiatrist, Professor Wai Chen, and Psychiatry Specialist Registrar Dr Kiri Von Klier highlight some common challenges associated with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and autism.
They discuss how they manifest differently in young males and females, and how our mental health specialists work with patients and families to overcome these challenges.
Listen to An introduction to neurodiversity in young people (external site).
Join Fiona Stanley Hospital Pain Consultant Dr Stephanie Davies and Clinical Nurse Consultant Derin Librizzi as they help us to understand our pain and explore the ins and outs of pain management.
Listen to 'Introduction to pain management' (external site) or read the transcript (PDF 243KB).
What is sleep? Why do we sleep? How do we improve sleep? Join Fiona Stanley Hospital Sleep Physician John McLachlan as he explains the importance of sleep and delves into sleep disorders such as sleep apnoea and insomnia.
Listen to 'Unlocking the power of a good night's sleep' (external site) or read the 'Unlocking the power of a good night's sleep' transcript (PDF 221KB).
Professor Fiona Wood AM and Digital Innovation Lead Aaron Berghuber share their insights into the brave new world of medicine where the IT specialist is part of the clinical care team.
Listen to 'Digital revolution in health (external site) or read 'The digital revolution in health' lecture transcript (PDF 196KB).
Fiona Stanley Hospital dietitian Emily Hunt explores how powerful the right nutrition is in disease prevention, management and general health and wellbeing.
Listen to 'The power of nutrition in health and recovery' (external site) or read the transcript of Ms Hunt's lecture (PDF 191KB).
With the incidence of Type 2 diabetes trebling in the past 30 years, awareness of lifestyle choices, prevention, and management techniques are key. Presented by:
- Dr Ashley Makepeace, clinical endocrinologist
- Professor Bu Yeap, endocrinologist researcher
- Kylie Connor, diabetes educator
- Cathy Latino, dietitian.
Listen to 'Understanding diabetes from all angles' (external site) or read the lecture transcript (PDF 195KB).
Consultant Geriatrician Dr Hannah Seymour from Fiona Stanley Hospital and Anthea Crawford who runs the specialist aged care ward at Fremantle Hospital look at the dilemma of dementia and delirium for the health care system and families alike and the small things that can make a difference.
Listen to 'Making a difference in the dilemma of delirium and dementia' (external site) or read the transcript of 'Making a difference in the dilemma of dementia and delirium' (PDF 199KB).
Fiona Stanley Fremantle Hospitals Group gastroenterologist Dr Oliver Waters helps sort the fact from the fiction about gut health and what we really need to know to have a healthy gut.
Listen to 'Gut health – are we still groping in the dark?' (external site) or read the transcript of Dr Water's lecture (PDF 188KB).
Fiona Stanley Hospital cardiothoracic surgeon Dr Nikki Stamp shares her insights on how women and men can maintain a healthy heart, recognise when something’s not right, and what to do when things go wrong.
Listen to Dr Stamp's lecture (external site) or read the transcript of Dr Stamp's lecture (PDF 165KB).
Decades of observing people recover from traumatic injuries has given burns specialist Professor Fiona Wood AM a unique insight into how personal motivation can be the secret ingredient to good health and recovery.
Tune into Professor Wood's lecture (external site) or read the lecture transcript (PDF 117KB).