Avni Sali
| Avni Sali | |
|---|---|
| Born | Shepparton, Australia |
| Nationality | Australian |
|
Medical career | |
| Profession | Physician |
| Field | Integrative Medicine |
| Institutions | The National Institute of Integrative Medicine, University of Melbourne, Swinburne University |
Professor Avni Sali MBBS, PhD, FRACS, FACS, FACNEM is an Australian surgeon, researcher, author, and media personality primarily known for advocating an "integrative" approach to medicine, combining evidence-based conventional treatments with complementary therapies.
Introduction
In 2008, Sali founded the National Institute of Integrative Medicine in Hawthorn, Melbourne, Australia.,[1] a not-for-profit charity, aims to further research, clinical practice and education in the field of integrative medicine.
Sali, through his clinical and research work, has highlighted the importance of nutrition in chronic illness, and the role of lifestyle interventions in the treatment and prevention of disease. He is one of the pioneers of mind-body medicine in Australia, and a leader in integrative approaches to cancer care.
He is a founding member of the Australasian College of Nutritional and Environmental Medicine (ACNEM)[2] and was a board member of Australasian Integrative Medicine Association (AIMA).[3] He was president of AIMA from 2007-2009.
Bioqraphy
He was born in Shepparton, Australia. His family migrated from Albania in the 1920s and were successful farmers. The Sali family farming continues to be involve in farming and other ventures. He is married to Hana Sali, and has three adult children.
Sali was one of the first MBBS graduates from Monash University in 1966. He graduated with final years honours in Surgery, Medicine and Paediatrics and was later awarded a PhD in Surgery. He then worked with Queen’s Surgeon and Chief Medical Advisor Kay, pioneer of gastrointestinal surgical function at the Glasgow Western Infirmary in Scotland. Sali returned to Australia to become Professorial Assistant (Associate Professor) in the newly established Department of Surgery at the University of Melbourne, eventually becoming head of Heidelberg Repatriation Hospital (now the Austin Hospital). At the Heidelberg Repatriation Hospital,[4] he pioneered surgical procedures including a gallstone dissolution procedures and was instrumental in the establishment of an immune function testing facility.
Professional career
His research interests include the digestive system, nutrition, lifestyle, mind-body medicine and sports medicine. His major research into children’s nutrition[5][6] in the 1970s, the first of its kind in Australia looked at nutrition, weight and bowel habits in primary school children. This research on primary school children was utilised by the Australian Federal government’s Life be in it program,[7] to improve eating habits.
He founded the NIIM is an independent clinical, education and research facility founded by Sali. As the director, he is involved in research, education and providing clinical services in the area of Integrative Medicine (in particular Integrative Oncology). His team of researchers and clinicians provide screenings and treatments based on the evidence-based integrative model. The NIIM is self-funded and reinvests into further research, education and patient care.
The Graduate School of Integrative Medicine[8] was established by Sali in 1998 at Swinburne University of Technology and provided post-graduate integrative medical training and conducted innovative research.
He also founded the first integrative hospital, the Swinburne University Hospital, Hawthorn The hospital closed as it was not able to raise adequate funds to keep it viable.[9]
Books
- Kotsirilos, Vicki, Luis Vitetta, and Avni Sali. A Guide to Evidence-Based Integrative and Complementary Medicine. Sydney, N.S.W: Elsevier Churchill Livingstone, 2011. ISBN 9780729539081
- Kune, Gabriel A, Avni Sali, and Gabriel A. Kune. The Practice of Biliary Surgery. 2nd ed. Oxford: Blackwell Scientific Publications, 1980. ISBN 9780632005895.
Honours
In 2002, Sali received the St Michael’s Award[10] for outstanding community service, and in 2004 he was awarded the Australian Humanitarian Award[11] for contributions to health.
In 2012, he received the ACNEM Award[12] for service to Nutritional and Environmental Medicine at ACNEM’s 30th Anniversary commemoration.
He has received Professorial Appointments at University of Melbourne, Swinburne University, University of Queensland and the Cairnmillar Institute.[13]
References
- ↑ "The National Institute of Integrative Medicine".
- ↑ "Australasian College of Nutritional and Environmental Medicine".
- ↑ "Australasian Integrative Medicine Association".
- ↑ "Heidelberg Repatriation Hospital".
- ↑ Sali, A; Holt M; Thompson G (1999). "Constipation and diet in primary school children". Journal of Nutritional Medicine UK 3: p257.
- ↑ Sali, A; Holt M; Parker E; Thompson G (1992). "Dietary habits of primary school children: obesity and influencing factors". Journal of Nutritional Medicine UK 3: p263.
- ↑ "A Brief History of Life Be In It".
- ↑ "Graduate School of Integrative Medicine. Swinburne University of Technology. (-2009)".
- ↑ Jackson, A (29 April 2013). "Combined therapy hospital to close". The Age. Retrieved 2013-03-13.
- ↑ "St Michael's Medallion Recipients".
- ↑ "Australian Altruism Foundation – Act Now 2008".
- ↑ "ACNEM 30th Anniversary".
- ↑ "Cairnmillar Newsletter June 23, Page 2" (PDF).