The Roster Te Rārangi: Edition 5

Change of plan at CCS
CCS Disability Action had been seeking a new chief executive, but has called the recruitment off. With the help of Mel Smith in the new, part-time role of deputy chief executive, incumbent boss David Matthews is staying on for 18 months. The aim is to provide “business as usual” for disabled people despite the COVID-19 disruption. Ms Smith started with the organisation as a support worker in 2002. She has been Otago and then Waitaki team leader and, since 2016, southern regional general manager.

Doctor's scrutiny of convictions
The new Criminal Cases Review Commission has environmental health leader Virginia Hope among its members. Dr Hope has been an occupational health physician, a senior lecturer in environmental health and a medical officer of health, and is now medical director of the health group at ESR. She is a former chair of Capital & Coast and Hutt Valley DHBs. The commission’s role is to investigate and review convictions and sentences, and decide whether to refer them to an appeal court.

Science challenge for Sir Jerry
Sir Jerry Mateparae (Ngāti Tūwharetoa, Ngāti Kahungunu) began a new role this month as chair of the Healthier Lives−He Oranga Hauora National Science Challenge. It’s aimed at improving the prevention and treatment of cancer, cardiovascular disease, obesity and diabetes, and achieving equitable health outcomes. A former governor-general, Sir Jerry was New Zealand Defence Force chief and then Government Communications Security Bureau director. Nutritionist and former Red Cross patron and Florence Nightingale Award winner Jenny McMahon has stepped down after five years as chair.

Physio board pick
Kelly Brodie, who has a masters degree in musculoskeletal physiotherapy, was this month appointed by health minister David Clark to the Physiotherapists Board of New Zealand. A keen participant in many sports and fitness activities, Mrs Brodie is senior physiotherapist at Christchurch practice SportsMed Canterbury. She is taking maternity leave at present. Her clinical interests include the musculoskeletal management of pre and postnatal patients, clinical pilates, acupuncture, and rehabilitation of persistent conditions.
She is a certified Bradcliff Breathing practitioner.

Health practice head at Ara
John Grant’s academic papers on health and disability have had a particular focus: quality of life and collaboration. The new head of department – health practice at Ara Institute of Canterbury, Mr Grant for 15 years led the Christchurch NGO Skillwise, which works with people with learning difficulties. At Ara, he previously taught disability theory, policy and support practices. He is a director of the Australasian Society for Intellectual Disability.

Who got that job?
Christine Hall recently filled in as interim chief executive at Hamilton-headquartered primary care group Pinnacle Inc's innovation and IT firm Ventures. Ms Hall has now been confirmed in the job permanently. Paula Tesoriero, who has been disability rights commissioner for the past three years, begins another term on 31 July, this time for five years. And Selah Hart, chief executive of Māori public health advocacy and policy organisation Hāpai Te Hauora, joined the board of Diabetes New Zealand earlier in the year.

New hires, new roles
Has your health and well-being organisation settled on the right candidate for a current vacancy? If so, let me know, please! And, of course, I’d love to see subscriber numbers continue to grow at The Roster Te Rārangi, which is free. Your help to spread the word is appreciated.

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