meet our speakers
KEYNOTE speakers
Ashley Bloomfield
Ashley Bloomfield
Sir Ashley Bloomfield trained in medicine at the University of Auckland and specialised in public health medicine. He has 25 years experience in public policy and health leadership, including at the World Health Organization in Geneva. He was Director-General of Health from June 2018 to July 2022 and led the country’s health response to the COVID-19 pandemic. He was appointed a Knights Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit (KNZM) in the 2023 New Year Honours for services to public health and is now a Professor at the University of Auckland's School of Population Health.
Presentation: Health leadership lessons from COVID-19
Rachel Haggerty
Rachel Haggerty
Rachel was appointed the Director, Strategy, Planning & Purchasing for Hospital and Specialist services in February of this year joining the leadership team established by Fionnagh Dougan.
She has worked alongside chief executives, senior clinicians and leaders from tertiary, secondary, primary and community health care providers to continuously improve the capability of the public health sector to deliver excellence in health services over the last thirty five years.
She has held senior executive positions in South Canterbury, Tairāwhiti, Auckland, Waitematā, Capital Coast and Hutt Valley, as both a Chief Operating Officer and Director of Planning & Funding.
Having both led service delivery and funding Rachel has a wealth of experience in how New Zealand’s health system operates and how it can be supported to deliver excellence for the people of New Zealand.
As the Lead for the Covid Response and Immunisation Programme, in the greater Wellington area, she led a team supporting success in our communities. It was the expertise of clinicians, dedication of the wider health workforce, combined with the passion of our communities that delivered this success.
She is experienced in partnering with Iwi Māori, as Te Tiriti o Waitangi partners, and ensuring the health system is active in its drive to honour Te Tiriti o Waitangi and achieving equity for Māori, Pacific, Tāngata Whaikaha and across diverse communities.
She is driven by a commitment to equity and better health outcomes for the communities and populations that health serves. She believes this can only be achieved by supporting our workforce and our providers to make their greatest contribution every day.
Presentation: What success for hospital services looks like in a newly formed Te Whatu Ora
John Whaanga
John is of Ngāti Rākaipaaka, Ngāti Kahungunu and Ngāti Rongomaiwahine descent. He originally joined Manatū Hauora in 1993, as a foundation member of the then newly established Māori Health Directorate. John then spent six years working in Manatū Hauora, culminating in management roles in both public health and Māori health. John returned to Manatū Hauora in 2019 as the Deputy Director-General, Māori Health. In this role, he manages Te Pou Hauora Māori, the Māori Health Directorate.
John Whaanga
John is of Ngāti Rākaipaaka, Ngāti Kahungunu and Ngāti Rongomaiwahine descent. He originally joined Manatū Hauora in 1993, as a foundation member of the then newly established Māori Health Directorate. John then spent six years working in Manatū Hauora, culminating in management roles in both public health and Māori health. John returned to Manatū Hauora in 2019 as the Deputy Director-General, Māori Health. In this role, he manages Te Pou Hauora Māori, the Māori Health Directorate.
Te Pou Hauora Māori leads the Ministry’s response to Te Tiriti o Waitangi and Māori health equity. They work alongside Te Aka Whai Ora to monitor the health system and co-develop Māori health policy and strategy. Te Pou Hauora Māori also leads Māori engagement and manages Māori-Crown relationships on behalf of Manatū Hauora.
Presentation: Responding to Te Tiriti o Waitangi and Māori Health Equity
speakers
Oshaani
(Oshi) Abeyakoon
Dr Oshaani (Oshi) Abeyakoon, is a doctor of medicine, an artist, and a teacher. She studied medicine at Imperial College School of Medicine, London, and the Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota. Following her years as a junior doctor she completed Radiology Residency in London. She specialised in breast and cancer imaging by pursuing a fellowship at King’s College Hospital in London. She was a scholar and fellow of the European School of Radiology at the Medical University of Vienna, and Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Hospital, NYC respectively. Post fellowships, she completed a PhD in Molecular Imaging at the University of Cambridge, during this time she also worked as an Honorary Radiology Consultant at Addenbrooke’s Hospital. In 2018 she was appointed as a Radiology Consultant at University College Hospital in London. In 2019 she received an MRC fellowship enabling her to be a physician scientist at UCL/UCH. After three memorable years, she said good bye to UCH/UCL in 2021. The pandemic had hit and Oshi re-prioritised her life. She pursued a soul journey to full fill her dream of seeing New Zealand. A dream she had put on hold for many years as life happened. It was a journey she made alone, with all the uncertainties of the pandemic in 2021. Since arriving Oshi’s love for the natural beauty of Aotearoa, and its people has only grown. She continues to live, work and explore New Zealand.
Oshaani (Oshi) Abeyakoon
Dr Oshaani (Oshi) Abeyakoon, is a doctor of medicine, an artist, and a teacher. She studied medicine at Imperial College School of Medicine, London, and the Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota. Following her years as a junior doctor she completed Radiology Residency in London. She specialised in breast and cancer imaging by pursuing a fellowship at King’s College Hospital in London. She was a scholar and fellow of the European School of Radiology at the Medical University of Vienna, and Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Hospital, NYC respectively. Post fellowships, she completed a PhD in Molecular Imaging at the University of Cambridge, during this time she also worked as an Honorary Radiology Consultant at Addenbrooke’s Hospital. In 2018 she was appointed as a Radiology Consultant at University College Hospital in London. In 2019 she received an MRC fellowship enabling her to be a physician scientist at UCL/UCH. After three memorable years, she said good bye to UCH/UCL in 2021. The pandemic had hit and Oshi re-prioritised her life. She pursued a soul journey to full fill her dream of seeing New Zealand. A dream she had put on hold for many years as life happened. It was a journey she made alone, with all the uncertainties of the pandemic in 2021. Since arriving Oshi’s love for the natural beauty of Aotearoa, and its people has only grown. She continues to live, work and explore New Zealand.
In 2020 seeing the impact of COVID on the world Dr Oshi brought together her life as a doctor, artist, and teacher creating a community project called the Heart of Gaia to help people connect, build resilience, and cultivate happiness. She is a certified mindfulness instructor, and brings to mindfulness teachings a creative and playful approach. To learn more about her community work please see https://doctoroshi.com
At the conference Oshi will lead a mindfulness workshop. She will then share ways of continuing to integrate the skills learnt into daily life and work.
Presentation: Workshop - Mindfulness in Medicine
William Allan (Billy)
Kaore te kūmara e kōrero mo tōna māngaro
(the kūmara does not speak of its own sweetness)
William Allan (Billy)
Kaore te kūmara e kōrero mo tōna māngaro
(the kūmara does not speak of its own sweetness)
Billy undertook his internship at Taranaki Base hospital. Moving to the UK to undertake postgraduate study, Billy held several hospital pharmacist positions including Chief Pharmacist at Broomfield Hospital, Chelmsford. Billy returned to a joint appointment with Auckland City Hospital and the Auckland School of Pharmacy, before moving to Hawke’s Bay as the hospital pharmacy manager, and later as Chief Pharmacist for the Hawke’s Bay health sector.
More recently, Billy was the Medication Safety Specialist with the Health Quality and Safety Commission, before moving to the Manatū Hauora on secondment as Pharmacy Liaison for COVID-19. In 2020 Billy took up the position of Manager Pharmacy at the Ministry, then transitioned into Te Whatu Ora from 1 July 2022. Billy is currently on secondment to Manatū Hauora as Clinical Principal Advisor, Allied Health.
Billy has served on the NZHPA Executive and PSNZ Board.
Presentation: Ngā Hau Hurihuri Winds of Change – Panel Discussion
Katrina Burns
Katrina Burns
Katrina Burns is a registered Nurse with surgical and intensive care experience. Katrina is currently working as a Senior Improvement and Innovation Advisor. This advisor role entails teaching the IHI improvement methodology and supporting Nursing, Midwifery, Allied Health and Medical staff with quality improvement projects across Capital, Coast and Hutt Valley hospitals. Katrina has attained a Masters of Nursing Science with Merit in 2016 and is a professional doctorate candidate with Victoria University of Wellington.
Presentation: Workshop - Improvement & Innovation
Laura Clunie
Laura Clunie
Laura leads a small pharmacy team at Canopy Cancer Care, a group of private cancer clinics throughout the North Island. She previously worked in oncology at Auckland City Hospital for 10 years. Laura is on the CNO SIG committee, is an honorary senior lecturer at the University of Auckland and represents NZHPA on the Clinical Assembly for Te Aho o Te Kahu, the Cancer Control Agency.
Presentation: Workshop - Cancer immunotherapy for non-oncology pharmacists: managing immune-related adverse events with immune checkpoint inhibitors
Anthea Gregan
Anthea Gregan
I am currently the cardiology pharmacist at Palmerston North Hospital and a co-convenor of NZHPA cardiology Special interest network. I work in general cardiology where I enjoy being part of the team and seeing patients get other aspects of their care addressed while they are in hospital. I am interested in overcoming barriers between health professionals to improve patient care.
Presentation: Pre-Conference Workshop - Cardiology SIN - Rhythm and Valves
Ariel Hubbert
Ariel Hubbert
So far Ariel’s pharmacy career has spanned 20+ years, 2 countries, 1 pandemic, and more sudden systems changes than she cares to recount.
Throughout, she has found purpose in providing patient care and joy in coaching others to grow their practice.
In the wake of COVID, and as the new lead for Te Whatu Ora - Waitematā Pharmacy Service, Ariel explored VUCA as a tool for dealing with "unprecedented times".
Presentation: Workshop - Using VUCA to Find Balance in Chaos
Chris Jay
Chris Jay
Chris is currently employed as Manager Practice and Policy at the Pharmaceutical Society of New Zealand. He is registered Pharmacist with 32 years of experience having worked across a variety of different areas of pharmacy in New Zealand and the United Kingdom. He is passionate about the roles pharmacists and technicians can play in delivering care for patients and their whānau, both now and into the future.
Presentation: Ngā Hau Hurihuri Winds of Change – Panel Discussion
Georgi Lynch
Georgi Lynch
As the Education and Training Pharmacist at Te Whatu Ora Waitaha, Georgi strives to improve the learning journey for pharmacy. Georgi has recently completed her PGCert in Medical Education and has presented some of her work at the FIP conference and Life Long Learning in Pharmacy. She has published the impact of pharmacist involvement on medication in interprofessional transfer of care activity in the NZ medical journal. Georgi enjoys working with colleagues around the motu through her education roles, she is passionate about the development of our pharmacy workforce and preparing us with the skills to take pharmacy into the future. When Georgi is not in pharmacy mode she enjoys sewing her and her family’s wardrobe, swimming and figuring out her next brunch destination.
Presentation: Pre-Conference Workshop - Part 1: Exploring the Mentoring Relationship | Part 2: How to Provide Effective Feedback
Fiona McNabb
Fiona McNabb
Presentation: 2022 Max Health Award Project Update - Talking About Medicines www.talkingaboutmedicines.com
Lye Jinn Ng
Lye Jinn Ng
Lye Jinn is a neonatal & paediatrics pharmacist at Waitaha Canterbury. She is actively involved in training and ongoing development of various healthcare colleagues.
She was the project lead on updating the extravasation guidance for Canterbury.
Lye Jinn was part of the Continuing Education team in Waitaha Canterbury Pharmacy Department for several years and is passionate about fostering a culture of continuous learning and personal growth among colleagues.
Presentation: Pre-Conference Workshop - Part 1: Exploring the Mentoring Relationship | Part 2: How to Provide Effective Feedback
Simon Pointer
Simon Pointer
Simon is currently the National Pharmacist, within the Clinical Advisory Team, at Te Aho o Te Kahu – Cancer Control Agency.
Simon has been in his current role for approximately three years. He has contributed to the Anti-Cancer Therapies, Nationally Organised Workstreams (ACT-NOW) programme of work, developing a detailed national collection of information on patients receiving systemic anti-cancer therapy. Simon is also Project Lead for the agency’s Systemic Anti-Cancer Therapies Cancer Services Planning work.
Simon is committed to Te Aho o Te Kahu’s purpose to provide strong central leadership and oversight of cancer control, to deliver better cancer outcomes for Aotearoa New Zealand.
Presentation: Workshop - Cancer immunotherapy for non-oncology pharmacists: managing immune-related adverse events with immune checkpoint inhibitors
Tom Simpson
Tom Simpson
Tom is National President of the Society of Hospital Pharmacists of Australia (SHPA), representing 6,300 pharmacists and pharmacy technicians working across Australia’s health system. Tom is passionate about practitioner development and recognition across the pharmacy workforce, and has been a key driver of SHPA’s Transformation 2024 agenda and the founding of the Australian & New Zealand College of Advanced Pharmacy (ANZCAP). Tom is also a Senior Lecturer with the University of Tasmania School of Pharmacy and Pharmacology; and is Executive Director of Pharmacy for Tasmania’s public hospital system.
Presentation: Ngā Hau Hurihuri Winds of Change – Panel Discussion
Charlie Smith
Charlie Smith
Charlie Smith is a registered Social Worker with experience working in community and hospital settings, specialising in trauma support. Charlie is currently working as an Improvement and Innovation Advisor. This advisor role involves teaching the IHI improvement methodology and supporting Nursing, Midwifery, Allied Health and Medical staff with quality improvement projects across Capital, Coast and Hutt Valley hospitals. Charlie has a post graduate qualification in professional practice and continues to provide professional supervision to Social Workers.
Presentation: Workshop - Improvement & Innovation
Heena Solanki
Heena Solanki
Made in Fiji, adopted by NZ and UK.
Wanted to be a cardiology pharmacist, ended up in oncology and haematology, and never looked back.
With various pharmacy experience from community, to public, to private hospitals.
Also a registered life and health coach who likes to empower people to reach their full potential.
Interests outside of work include tennis, yoga, hiking, cooking (am a foodie and a food critic), photography and films.
Am currently doing creative writing –writing stories for children’s books and erotica and learning Spanish (Hola)!
Presentation: Workshop - Cancer immunotherapy for non-oncology pharmacists: managing immune-related adverse events with immune checkpoint inhibitors
Ev Tolerton
Ev Tolerton
I am currently the Cardiology Pharmacy Team leader at Christchurch public hospital, a co-convenor of NZHPA cardiology Special interest network and a member of the Cardiac Society of Australia and NZ. I am a specialist pharmacist working in coronary care, general cardiology and cardiac surgery for the past 7 years. My current areas of particular interest in this field are: reducing anticoagulant related harm, and CVD risk assessment.
Presentation: Pre-Conference Workshop - Cardiology SIN - Rhythm and Valves
Sherry Yeh
Sherry Yeh
Sherry is a senior clinical pharmacist at Te Whatu Ora Waitematā. Her experience in clinical pharmacy began at Wairau Hospital in Blenheim, during which she completed her Postgraduate Diploma in Clinical Pharmacy. Sherry has worked across different specialties in Waitematā. As part of the Medication Safety team at Waitematā, Sherry is involved in a multitude of projects to help improve patient safety, minimise harm, and promote equitable outcomes across the motu.
Presentation: Max Health award presentation 2023 | Pain management plan on discharge