Role Call - People on the move and gaining recognition in the health sector

Southern DHB chief executive Chris Fleming will finish with the DHB on 30 June, a day before Health New Zealand takes over all 20 DHBs. Mr Fleming has had 30 years in the sector and, in a media release, said it was a real privilege to be entrusted with the role for South Canterbury, Nelson Marlborough and, for the past six years, Southern DHB. He and his wife are acquiring a business and relocating to the Waikato. Health NZ chief executive Margie Apa will determine the next leadership for Southern staff as the DHB transitions to Health NZ.

A new general manager digital, data and technology, Kirti Desai, will start with the Auckland PHO ProCare on 26 April and be a member of the group’s executive leadership team. Ms Desai previously held a senior management role at Datacom supporting customer IT infrastructure and digital solutions. She is a former chief digital & innovation officer for the Real Estate Institute of New Zealand and has worked for QV and Paymark.

Southern Cross Healthcare has a new chief executive, Chris White, who has moved up from the interim role. Mr White has led the company through the pandemic, one of its most challenging periods, says board chair Greg Gent in a media release. Mr White was chief executive on the insurance side of the business, then chief operating officer for the healthcare company. He joined in 2017.

Third Age Health has selected a team of experts in fields such as general practice, nursing, older people’s health and innovation. The older people’s health primary care provider named its first clinical advisory committee as: University of Auckland academic and specialist GP Ngaire Kerse; Jenny Carryer (Massey University, College of Nurses); psychogeriatric specialist Jane Casey; Emily Preston (Innovation Unit); Carol McCullum (Mercy Hospice); and Third Age Health medical director and specialist GP Peter Zink.

Dunedin-headquartered cancer diagnostics company Pacific Edge welcomed Peter Meintjes as chief executive earlier in the year. Chair Chris Gallaher acknowledged Dr Meintjes’ experience in molecular diagnostics, particularly in the US market, saying this would be of value in the next phase of growth. Dr Meintjes relocated from Boston to take the role, with the departure after 18 years of David Darling.

David Darling, meanwhile, has been appointed an independent director with Helius Therapeutics, New Zealand’s largest medicinal cannabis company. Founder JP Schmidt has stepped down after five years, but remains a cornerstone investor. Helius is focused on commercialising its pipeline of medicinal cannabis products. Mr Darling had a career with Fletcher Building before his most recent post, with Pacific Edge (see above).

National Hauora Coalition head of service delivery Rachel Brown has been appointed as the PHO’s interim chief executive. The appointment follows last month’s resignation of founding chief executive Simon Royal who had been in the role for almost 13 years. In a press release, NHC board chair Dame Paula Rebstock says Dr Brown (Te Atiawa, Ngāti Mutunga ki Wharekauri, Kāi Tahu, Tuahiwi, Kāti Māmoe) is “noted for her leadership, integrity, passion for all things Māori and manaaki tangata.” The interim position is expected to run for four months until a permanent chief executive is appointed. Dr Brown holds a PhD in health science and her role has seen her running the Mana Kidz programme. She is also a member of the Māori Monitoring Equity Group’s National Screening Unit.