Dr Susan Heaney is the Academic Team Leader for the Mid North Coast at the University of Newcastle’s Department of Rural Health, based at the Port Macquarie Campus. She is an Advanced Accredited Practising Dietitian with a sound clinical background and a strong focus on student education.

Dr Heaney earned her PhD from the University of Sydney in 2012, where her research focused on developing a screening instrument to identify nutrition risk in athletes. She also holds a Bachelor of Health Science (Nutrition and Dietetics) from the University of Newcastle.

Dr Heaney has a wealth of experience in clinical practice and academia. She served as the Nutrition and Dietetics Placement Coordinator at the University of Newcastle for seven years, where she developed a keen interest in student placements and interprofessional education. Additionally, she has extensive experience as a supervisor of research higher degrees, guiding students through their academic and research journeys.