The free workshop, co-sponsored by NSW Health, is scheduled to take place at the CWA Hall, in Bettington Street, on Wednesday, October 9, between 9.30am and 4.30pm.

Join Dr Marline Squance to discuss topics such as lupus, scleroderma, Raynaud's, Sjogren's and associated autoimmune diseases, as well as exploring systems and wellbeing.

Dr Squance is the chief executive officer of the Autoimmune Resource and Research Centre (ARRC) based in the Hunter.

The facility offers education, resources and support services as well as access to innovative projects for people living with autoimmune illnesses, in particular lupus, scleroderma and Sjgren's, along with pulmonary arterial hypertension and Raynaud's phenomenon.

Dr Squance has degrees in Biomedical Science, Diagnostic Cytology and Environmental Science/Environmental Health and a PhD in Immunology and Microbiology.

Recently, she gained International Board Certification in the emerging area of Lifestyle Medicine as a professional.

She has worked both internationally and nationally in health for more than 34 years.

Dr Squance began her career in 1983 as a cytotechnologist and medical researcher at the Royal Newcastle Hospital and worked in this field in Australia, Canada and Switzerland.

A change of direction, into a more research-oriented role, saw her take on projects, which focused on the supportive care needs of people living with chronic conditions.

She's worked with local general practice network groups, NSW Health and NSW Cancer Council as both a researcher and senior project manager, designing and implementing health programs.

Her main area of research interest, however, is in systemic autoimmunity and the effects of the environment and lifestyle on people living with these illnesses.

In 2004, Dr Squance was employed by the ARRC to undertake and coordinate studies related to coeliac disease, scleroderma and lupus.

This allowed her to focus her energies into advancing understanding of autoimmunity through education and research.

She coordinates a number of projects of both a clinical, diagnostic and therapeutic nature.

In addition, she has an important role with ARRC to develop and deliver education programs designed to raise awareness of autoimmune illness.

They are designed to aid people living with illness to be aware of self-management strategies they can adopt to help ease some of the symptoms and consequences of living with autoimmunity.

Registration for the workshop is essential.

Book your place by October 1 by phoning 4921 4095 or emailing arrc@autoimmune.org.au