Join us for Empowering Recovery: Navigating Life After Stroke on 29 October at SAHMRI. This free conference is designed for stroke survivors, their carers, health professionals, and supporters, offering a day of valuable insights, practical advice, and support.
This event is FREE but spaces are limited so get in quick with your RSVP!
Our Speakers
Associate Professor Anupam Gupta - Associate Professor, Rehabilitation Specialist and Head of the General Rehabilitation Unit, Central Adelaide Local Health Network, South Australia.
Associate Professor Anupam Gupta is a Rehabilitation Medicine specialist and is Head of the General Rehabilitation Unit at the Central Adelaide Local Health Network in South Australia. His research focuses on functional restoration in individuals with neurological disorders, and he has a particular interest in gait and spasticity management. His doctoral thesis (PhD) was on the use of botulinum toxin (Botox) to improve functional outcomes in post-stroke spasticity and also foot dystonia in Parkinson’s disease patients.
Paul Bovington - Stroke Advocate, and Survivor
Paul Bovington is a stroke survivor, advocate, and representative in the South Australian health network. He volunteers at various stroke rehab wards and serves as a board member and support group facilitator for The Hospital Research Foundation Group - Stroke. Paul is committed to making sure every stroke survivor in South Australia knows about local support organisations so no one faces the recovery journey alone.
Anne Hamilton Bruce Principal Medical Scientist and Director, Stroke Research Programme, Neurology, TQEH.
Anne is a Principal Medical Scientist and Director of the Stroke Research Programme at The Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Principal Research Fellow at SAHMRI, Affiliate Associate Professor at Adelaide University and Chair of the Stroke Group Board of Governors at THRF, and before its merger with THRF, the ‘Stroke SA’ Chair. She undertakes research into biomarkers in stroke and also has a special interest in human-animal interactions and wellbeing. Recently Anne led the ‘Dogs Offering Support after Stroke’ Action Research Project at the RAH Stroke Unit. Today she will talk about this and also future dog visiting in hospitals and possible community opportunities, as well as introducing Therapeutic Dog Services and a Therapy Dog.
Dr Laura Goodwins-Duyst - Rehabilitation Physician, Southern Adelaide Local Health Network
Dr Laura Goodwins-Duyst is a Rehabilitation Physician, currently working in Flinders Medical Centre. She was the winner of the 2023 Basmajian Prize and Katrak Medal from the Royal Australasian College of Physicians. Additionally, Laura holds a Master of Public Health/Master of International Public Health from the University of New South Wales. She has completed an internship at the United Nations University - International Institute for Global Health, evaluating methods of community engagement within UN agencies. At present, she is completing research on the impact of sex and gender on stroke, and assists in training and development of rehabilitation registrars. She is currently working within the South Australian Young Stroke Service, and is passionate about delivering holistic, culturally safe care and addressing the unmet needs of young stroke survivors.
Dr Ellen Williams - Speech Pathologist & Associate Lecturer, the University of Adelaide
Dr Ellen Williams is a Certified Practising Speech Pathologist and research/teaching academic (Associate Lecturer) employed in the School of Allied Health Science and Practice at the University of Adelaide. She has been a committee member and social media manager for Aphasia SA since 2021 and recently finished her PhD exploring non-invasive brain stimulation as a treatment for post-stroke aphasia. Her current research interests lie in optimising treatment approaches for people living with post-stroke aphasia, with a particular focus on “living well” after stroke. She is working on a project in collaboration with Aphasia SA and the University of South Australia to co-design a new communication group for young South Australians with aphasia under 55 years old), which will be carried out across 2025 and 2026.
Saran Chamberlain - Stroke Advocate, Researcher, and Survivor
Saran Chamberlain is a passionate stroke advocate, researcher, and survivor committed to improving post-stroke care by amplifying the lived experience voice. After experiencing a stroke at 38, she quickly discovered the gaps in recovery support—particularly around sex, intimacy, and identity. Today, Saran works nationally and internationally to close these gaps through education, research, and co-design. She is an Honours student at Flinders University, a member of the Stroke Foundation Research Advisory Committee, and a contributor to multiple projects aimed at improving quality of life for stroke survivors beyond the physical aspects. Saran’s presentations combine real-life experience with practical strategies, empowering clinicians to confidently approach conversations about sex and intimacy with their patients. Her mission is to break stigma, normalise discussion, and ensure stroke recovery supports the whole person—not just their medical needs.
Tayla Law - Accredited Exercise Physiologist, Brain Body Fitness (BBFS) Lead, The Hospital Research Foundation Group
Tayla completed her Bachelor of Clinical Exercise Physiology at the University of South Australia in 2015. Tayla then went on to complete a Bachelor of Health Science (Honours – first class) with her research evaluating the effectiveness of a community-based exercise program for older adults. With a genuine passion for sharing her knowledge and teaching allied health professionals (metro & regional) on how to best support their own clients using evidenced based research. Tayla also teaches Exercise Physiology students at Flinders University, creating interactive, hands-on tutorials for students within the Brain Body Fitness Studio.
Natasha Dart – Art Therapist, The Hospital Research Foundation Group - Creative Health
Natasha Dart is a registered Art Therapist with over five years’ experience in the health and wellbeing sector. She has worked extensively with people living with neurological conditions, disabilities, and those navigating significant life changes. Natasha is passionate about supporting stroke survivors in their recovery journey, helping them reconnect with identity, adapt to change, and find new ways to express themselves through creative mediums. Guided by a Person-Centred and Trauma-Informed approach, she creates a safe, supportive space where individuals can explore emotions, process experiences, and build resilience after stroke.
