The Roster Te Rārangi: Edition 14

Pharmacists 'lead the sector'
The Pharmaceutical Society amended its rules so the president of Ngā Kaitiaki o Te Puna Rongoā (the Māori Pharmacists’ Association) can join its national executive alongside the seven elected members. This is a huge milestone for the association and a sector-leading move by the society, says Ngā Kaitiaki o Te Puna Rongoā president Kevin Pewhairangi (Te Whānau a Ruataupare) in a media release. “Partnership is an under-utilised tool that has the potential to make the difference when all other methods [aimed at health equity] have fallen short,” says Mr Pewhairangi, a Gisborne pharmacist.

Tihei Rangatahi!
A health and wellness programme adapted to a Māori worldview and context is getting under way in Wainuiomata and Lower Hutt. Tihei Rangatahi is led by academic and fitness expert Tupa’ilevaililigi Ridvan Firestone. It will be co-designed with young people, whānau and staff from the partner organisation, Kōkiri Marae Health and Social Services. The co-design approach was piloted among Pasifika youth for a pre-diabetes youth empowerment programme. Dr Firestone, a senior researcher at Massey University’s Centre for Public Health Research, was recently appointed chair of the Lottery Health Research Committee.

Just a thought on mental health
The founder of the Aotearoa New Zealand Association of Cognitive Behavioural Therapies, Anna Elders, is the new chair of New Zealand Health IT’s eMental Health Industry Group. An honorary teaching fellow at the University of Auckland, Mrs Elders is clinical lead for Wise Group’s online therapy, Just a Thought, and a mental health nurse for Tāmaki Health. The industry group is representative of leading healthcare providers and digital health industry partners that provide or use software solutions related to delivery of eMental health and addiction services.

Commerce and culture
Eru Lyndon (Ngāpuhi, Ngāti Hine, Ngāti Kahu, Ngāti Wai, Ngāti Whatua and Ngāti Toa) this month joins the board of the National Hauora Coalition, a kauapapa Māori primary health organisation (PHO). Mr Lyndon recently helped found Mahitahi Hauora, the PHO for Northland. He is chair of Waitangi Ltd and co-chair of the Northland Intersectoral Forum. He further deepens the board’s commercial and cultural capabilities, says the coalition in a media release. Mr Lyndon has responsibility for Northland in two roles: as the State Services Commission’s regional public service lead and the Ministry of Social Development’s regional commissioner.

A new post for Dr Old
Andrew Old, newly appointed associate chief medical officer at Waitematā DHB, last year completed a Harkness Fellowship in the US, where he studied healthcare policy and practice. Dr Old has held several senior medical roles across Waitematā and Auckland DHBs, most recently acting clinical director of health gain. He was for five years Auckland DHB’s chief of strategy, participation and improvement. In his new role, he works closely with Waitematā DHB chief medical officer Jonathan Christiansen.

A first for Whitireia
Tania Mullane, of Fiji and Tongan heritage, has become the first person of Pacific descent to lead Whitireia Community Polytechnic’s Bachelor of Nursing – Pacific since the programme began in 2004. The polytech is responding to the health sector’s “dire need” to build the Pacific health workforce, says chief advisor Pacific strategy Jean Mitaera. Ms Mullane started her career as a Plunket nurse. A former associate dean of Manukau Institute of Technology, she was learning and development manager for the Auckland South Corrections Facility prior to joining the polytechnic.

Ending avoidable blindness
The deputy director-general of the Pacific Community, Audrey Aumua, says she looks forward to bringing her Pacific regional experience to the Fred Hollows Foundation, “towards its vision of ending avoidable blindness in the Pacific”. Dr Aumua will become the foundation’s chief executive in January. A former Ministry of Health chief advisor for the Pacific, she has a string of qualifications, including a PhD in public policy. Dr Aumua had a three-year posting as the World Health Organization’s Solomon Islands country director.

Does 'illustrious' cover it?
From junior chemistry lecturer in 1970 to his present role as Faculty of Health dean, Gregor Coster NZOM bookended his career at Victoria University of Wellington. In between, he was a GP in Auckland and Taupo, earning the Royal New Zealand College of General Practitioners’ distinguished fellowship in 2005. He has chaired Worksafe New Zealand, Counties Manukau DHB and Pharmac, and was head of general practice at the University of Auckland. The list really does go on...I don’t know what sort of farewell bashes the health academy holds these days, but no doubt many people will wish Professor Coster well as he retires at the end of the year. The appointment of the next dean of health at Vic will be one to watch.
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– Virginia McMillan, editor; phone 021 914 699;
email vmcmillan@nzdoctor.co.nz