The Roster Te Rārangi: Edition 20

Ngā mihi o te tau hou
Welcome to your first issue of The Roster Te Rārangi of the new year. The wheels kept turning while we were away, albeit a bit more slowly, so this is a big edition. It's also one that adds a new section for paid advertisements. I hope opportunities come your way in 2021, especially ones that improve the health and disability system. Please do spread the word about this free newsletter and get in touch with me with tips about changes and new roles. Thanks!

– Virginia McMillan, editor
phone 021 914 699 or email vmcmillan@nzdoctor.co.nz

A knight for a bold task
Iwi leader and author Lieutenant-Colonel Sir Harawira (Wira) Gardiner starts at Oranga Tamariki – Ministry for Children this week, and is to become acting chief executive after the 28 February departure of Gráinne Moss. Sir Wira (Ngāti Awa, Ngāti Pikiao, Te Whānau-ā-Apanui and Te Whakatōhea), founding director of the Waitangi Tribunal and founding chief executive of Te Puni Kokiri, has chaired numerous public bodies. Mrs Moss, former head of aged care provider Bupa, will lead public service pay equity work.

Clear voice at GP college
Kiriana Bird (Ngāti Tukorehe, Ngāti Porou) this month joins the board of the Royal New Zealand College of GPs (RNZCGP) for a three-year term. A GP at Te Taiwhenua o Heretaunga in Hastings, Dr Bird is the practice’s medical director, leading changes that have enhanced the kaupapa Māori approach, says a college media release. She will represent Te Akoranga a Māui (the college’s Māori representative group) on the board, ensuring “a clear voice for health equity”. Dr Bird replaces Sue Crengle (Kāi Tahu, Kāti Māmoe, Waitaha), who served two terms.

Wearing a corporate hat
Wayne Woolrich, chief executive of the primary health organisation Health Hawke’s Bay – Te Oranga Hawke’s Bay, has resigned. Mr Woolrich will head to Green Cross Health as general manager of its medical division, with incumbent Ash Revell seeking new opportunities. Mr Woolrich joined Health Hawke’s Bay in 2016. He is a former commercial manager for Green Cross, owner of The Doctors brand.

Time to listen to rangatahi
Parekotuku Williams (Tapuika, Waitaha, Tuhorangi, Ngāti Rangiwewhi) is one of 14 members of a new Youth Advisory Group for ProCare. The Auckland primary health organisation wants their guidance to help improve health outcomes for children and young people in its area. Ms Williams, 17, was Waitākere College’s top scholar in 2019. In a media release, she says: “I want people to understand what matters to young Māori now and the barriers that stop us from easily accessing healthcare.”

Vic reaches out to Zurich
Markus Melloh will become dean of health at Te Herenga Waka–Victoria University of Wellington later this year. Professor Melloh, who replaces the now-retired Gregor Coster, had four years at the University of Otago, Dunedin, as spine research programme leader in the Centre for Musculoskeletal Outcomes Research. He is associate dean research & development at Zurich University of Applied Sciences’ School of Health Professions, professor of public health and foundation director of the university’s Institute of Health Sciences.

Uncertain time frames
Nelson Marlborough DHB’s general manager clinical services, Lexie O’Shea, has stepped up to become interim chief executive. Ms O’Shea is expected to remain until the Government’s plans for health-system change become clear. A former deputy chief executive/chief operating officer at Southern DHB, she managed the integration of services when Southland and Otago DHBs merged in 2010. Ms O’Shea, who began her career as a medical laboratory technologist, replaces Peter Bramley (see below).

From acting to the real thing
Peter Bramley starts next week as Canterbury DHB’s new chief executive. Dr Bramley is leaving Nelson Marlborough DHB after more than 10 years, initially as service director medical and surgical services. He has been chief executive there since 2017, but was seconded for several months to the top job at Canterbury after David Meates’ August 2020 resignation. The role also covers West Coast DHB.

Applying a Māori lens
Māori Advisory Committee Te Taumata Hauora is up and running at Hamilton-headquartered general practice organisation Pinnacle Inc. Gary Thompson (Ngaati Paoa, Ngaati Hauaa) was appointed as chair in December. Te Taumata Hauora provides the Pinnacle Inc board and leadership team with strategic and expert advice on Māori health issues and solutions, applying a Māori lens to healthcare, a Pinnacle media release states. Mr Thompson is kaiwhakarite (liaison) for capacity-building NGO Community Waikato He Piko He Kāinga, and deputy chair for Hei Āhuru Mōwai, Māori Cancer Leadership Aotearoa.

Education plus support
Wellington GP Cathy Stephenson is supporting the RNZCGPs’ latest initiative for trainee GPs and their educators in general practice around the country. Dr Stephenson, who works part time at Te Herenga Waka–Victoria University of Wellington and in the local sexual assault service, is the college’s clinical lead southern, while her equivalent in the north is Auckland GP Susan Hawken. The two are on hand to support a new multi-use educator team working with individual trainees as needed, in person or via Zoom.

Fresh eyes on new hospital
Planning for a new Dunedin Hospital is under new leadership. The Southern Partnership Group chaired by former Labour Cabinet minister Pete Hodgson has been replaced by an Executive Steering Group. It’s chaired by company director Evan Davies, who has had a hand in governance for the new Christchurch Hospital build and is deputy chair of Hawke’s Bay DHB. Margaret Wilsher, Auckland DHB chief medical officer and formerly a partnership group member, is serving on the new group. Other members are Nelson Marlborough DHB chief medical officer Nick Baker and civil engineer Tony Lanigan.

Much ado at Ōamaru
A few months into his job as chief executive of Ōamaru Hospital operator Waitaki District Health Services Ltd, Phil Jamieson is welcoming new board members Andrew Blair and Scott Wilson. Mr Jamieson started in August after six years in Invercargill with SBS Bank, most recently as executive general manager of development. Mr Blair formerly chaired Capital & Coast DHBs and was chief executive of Acurity Health Group. Dr Wilson is a rural hospital medicine specialist and former chair of the New Zealand Rural Hospital Clinical Leaders forum.

In search of regime change
Industry group Natural Health Products New Zealand has appointed board member Samantha Gray to lead its advocacy with the Government on matters such as a new regulatory regime for the sector. The group covers natural health products, functional foods, complementary medicines, “cosmeceuticals” and nutraceuticals, and Ms Gray replaces Alison Quesnel as government affairs director. A molecular biologist by training, Ms Gray is managing director of consultancy BioEquitas.