The Roster Te Rārangi: Edition 30

Speaking up to reduce harm
Health Coalition Aotearoa has its first executive director, experienced campaigner Jennifer Lawless. Ms Lawless was most recently strategic campaigns coordinator at the Council of Trade Unions and, prior to that, campaign adviser with the New Zealand Nurses Organisation (NZNO). A political science graduate who worked in four roles at Parliament over nearly 10 years, she is completing a postgraduate certificate in public health. The coalition, an umbrella body for individuals, academics, NGOs and health providers, aims to reduce harm from tobacco, alcohol and unhealthy foods, and reduce inequities through a focus on the commercial determinants of health.

A pivotal time for public health
Léonie Walker has joined the Public Health Association as policy and communications advisor, saying it is exciting to join a te Tiriti-led organisation at a time of change in public health structures. Dr Walker has undertaken research into HIV and sexual health promotion, diabetes prevention and smoking cessation. She was associate professor in the School of Health at Massey University in Wellington. Policy experience includes work for NZNO and the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatry. Her PhD, from the University of Birmingham, UK, is in clinical immunology.

GP emerges as leader
Reza Jarral, the new clinical director of online health service CareHQ, was this year named by Imperial College London as an Emerging Alumni Leader. Dr Jarral qualified in medicine from the college in 2010, has a master’s degree in ethical AI in health, and is a member of WHO’s AI for Health Focus Group. He is a GP in a central Auckland clinic and also treats patients through CareHQ. It is a non-enrolling service that complements the traditional doctor-patient model, he says. CareHQ is a venture of Southern Cross Health Insurance and the Auckland Primary Health Organisation (PHO) ProCare.

A lot riding on health IT
Trent Lash says digital health technologies are pivotal to integrated delivery of primary healthcare services, improved patient outcomes and optimal healthcare for New Zealanders – things he is passionate about. Mr Lash recently joined the industry body New Zealand Health IT as chief executive. He has had 25 years in management and corporate/organisational transformation consultancy, including chief executive posts here and overseas. An engineering and applied science graduate, he earlier led major infrastructure teams. Mr Lash chairs Heartbeats, a charitable trust and community-based cardiac rehabilitation, education and support organisation.

All Blacks fan, radiology advocate
Radiologist Sanjay Jeganathan, dual New Zealand and Australian citizen and All Blacks fan, is the newly elected president starting at the Royal Australia and New Zealand College of Radiologists in January. Dr Jeganathan says he looks forward to working with New Zealand government stakeholders to improve access and services for medical imaging and cancer care. Between 1998 and 2005, he worked at Hutt, Auckland City Hospital, Middlemore and North Shore Hospitals. Now at the Perth Radiological Clinic, Fiona Stanley Hospital and Breast Screen Western Australia, he is dean of the college’s faculty of clinical radiology.

'Transform' is the order of the day
Karen Orsborn is the Mental Health and Wellbeing Commission’s inaugural tumu whakarae-chief executive, after acting in the job since February. Chair Hayden Wano says her leadership expertise and strategic insight will be invaluable as the commission advances transformation of mental health and addiction services. Ms Orsborn led the secretariat for the initial commission and, prior to that, held senior roles at the Health Quality & Safety Commission. She had eight years as a manager at Hawke’s Bay DHB before becoming manager, elective services then group manager, funding at the Ministry of Health.

Third Age draws on experience
An accountant with deep experience in the health sector has joined the board of Third Age Health, a medical practice that provides and manages healthcare services for aged residential care facilities. He is Wayne Williams, former KPMG partner and current chief executive of Pacific-led PHO Alliance Health Plus in south Auckland. Mr Williams chairs the Moko Foundation, provider of health services and mentoring. He was chief financial officer at Hamilton-headquartered PHO Midlands Health Network. Mr Williams spent 14 years consulting for DHBs, NGOs, government departments and companies.

A return to the south
Damon Campbell started at the Otago and Southland PHO WellSouth on 8 June as chief digital officer, fresh from a similar role at the Far North District Council. Mr Campbell sees exciting opportunities for information systems and digital transformation in the health sector reforms, including creation of locality networks. A business computing graduate who also has an MBA, he worked for Southland District Council for 22 years. This included 12 years as chief information officer.

Power through the winter
I enjoyed reading this excellent advice at nzdoctor.co.nz:

• Start the day with porridge and add nuts, seeds, dates or cinnamon.
• Add extra vegetables to casseroles – for example, leeks, carrots, onion and celery.
• Soups can be a powerhouse of plant foods – add extra herbs and spices, vegetables, split peas and lentils, and sprinkle with nuts or seeds before serving.

The article, Staying well over winter, also delved into fermentable fibres and the gut microbiome. (See our New Zealand Doctor Rata Aotearoa subscription options here.) And thank you to all who send me news for The Roster Te Rārangi!

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