invited speakers

Vienna Akesi

Vienna Akesi is a Clinical Nurse Specialist with Pacific Planned Care Services at Te Toka Tumai Auckland. She holds a Bachelor of Nursing degree, along with a Post-graduate Certificate and Diploma in Advanced Nursing, and is currently advancing her expertise through Master’s studies, further enhancing her clinical skills and leadership capabilities.She brings an extensive nursing background rooted in General Surgery and Oncology. Her current role allows her to work collaboratively with the General Surgery, Orthopaedics, and Urology surgical teams to deliver patient-centred care that is specifically tailored to the unique needs of Pacific patients.Vienna expertly supports patients and their families in navigating the surgical pathway – from coordinating pre-operative assessments and clarifying procedures, to facilitating post-operative care and ensuring seamless transitions through follow-up and rehabilitation. She is particularly focused on overcoming barriers commonly experienced by Pacific patients, including communication challenges, cultural differences, and health literacy issues.Fluent in her native Pacific language, Vienna brings a culturally respectful approach to care that fosters trust, open communication, and holistic support. Her cultural competence is vital to enriching the patient experience, honoring Pacific values, and empowering patients and their families to actively participate and have a voice throughout their health journey.Deeply passionate in advocating for health equity, Vienna is dedicated to ensuring that care for Pacific patients is not only clinically effective but also culturally safe, respectful, and inclusive. She recognizes collaboration as key to improving patient engagement, reducing disparities in health outcomes, and promoting wellbeing through culturally informed care and family involvement.

Justine Andrew
Urology Clinical Nurse Specialist

Justine Andrew (MSN) is a urology nurse specialist working in the erectile dysfunction clinic at the urology institute. With over 20 years of experience across the public and private sector specialising in urology, Justine is a pivotal member of a dynamic multidisciplinary team, providing comprehensive support and guidance to individuals navigating the challenges of ED. With a commitment to holistic healthcare, Justine integrates a biopsychosocial approach, recognising that effective treatment encompasses not only the physiological aspects but also the psychological and social dimensions of each patient’s experience.

Justine’s unwavering compassion, clinical acumen and collaborative spirit puts men and their partner at ease when discussing their expectations and needs.

In collaboration with her urologist colleagues,Justine provides assessment, education and ensures practical evidence based strategies are implemented.

Danny Bedingfield
President, Prostate Cancer Foundation of New Zealand

Danny was diagnosed with prostate cancer at the age of 37, just nine months after his father lost his five year battle with advanced prostate cancer. He has been an advocate for younger men to get tested and has been part of multiple media campaigns during Blue September to try and raise awareness around the benefits of regular PSA testing.

Danny is the support coordinator for the Porirua area and attends many events in the greater Wellington region. Danny is a digital native and very keen to help the Foundation move forward into the 21st century and utilise online tools to promote our message. Danny is a Regional Facilitator with Cyclone Computer Company Ltd, is a Microsoft Certified Trainer, Google Educator and Adobe Educator.

He lives in Titahi Bay with his wife and daughter and occupies his downtime with snorkeling, kayaking and spending time with his family. Danny is also a keen photographer and videographer and loves combining his passion for travelling and the outdoors with filming and making movies.

Prof Damien Bolton

President, USANZ, Australia

Professor Bolton is the President of the Urological Society of Australia and New Zealand, is the Head of Urology at Austin Health and a Professor of Surgery at the University of Melbourne.

With a medical career spanning over three decades, he is widely recognised for his expertise in robot-assisted surgery, prostate cancer, and urinary stone disease.

Cheng Kai (CK) Jin

Dr Cheng Kai (CK) Jin, a clinician by training, has taken an atypical path in medicine wishing to combine data science with healthcare. He has been working at this intersect for over the last 5 years, supporting the COVID-19 response within his last role.

He is currently the clinical director for Health NZ's AI laboratory, responsible for safely introducing AI technologies at Health NZ.

Dr Jin's unique perspective as both a clinician and data scientist enable him to navigate the complex challenges of healthcare AI adoption, addressing clinician concerns to ensuring patient safety and regulatory compliance.

His experience spans predictive modelling, clinical decision support systems, generative AI and the development of frameworks for responsible AI use in healthcare settings.

Jan Craik

Jan is a surgical pathologist working at North Shore Hospital in Auckland. She has expertise in genitourinary pathology, breast pathology and cytology.

Jan spent time in Sydney training in cytology, and recently spent time at The Cleveland Clinic, Ohio furthering her experience in genitourinary pathology.

Jan enjoys being part of the multidisciplinary team.

Fiona dYoung

Fiona is a Multiple Sclerosis (MS) Clinical Nurse Specialist with extensive clinical experience. She has a special interest in patient experience and improving patient outcomes and has presented and published her research to international audiences.

She is part of an Australasian committee for MS bladder and bowel management.

Kealy France and Michelle Gall

Michelle and Kealy are Pelvic Health Physiotherapists working at Te Toka Tumai Auckland’s outpatient department.

They both hold post-graduate qualifications in pelvic health and have worked in a variety of clinics and departments across Australia and New Zealand.

Michelle and Kealy have extensive experience in the assessment and management of a variety of pelvic health conditions and maintain clinic oversight of the service.

Mark Fulcher

Mark is a Sport and Exercise Physician and Managing Director of Axis Sports Medicine Specialists. He is the Medical Director and Team Doctor for the One New Zealand Warriors and also Team Doctor for the New Zealand Breakers.

Mark has attended three Olympic Games and served as Medical Director for New Zealand Football and Netball New Zealand. His clinical and research interests include football injuries, concussion, tendon pathology, and injury prevention.

Teara Gillman

General Manager, Ngāti Whātua Ōrākei – Whai Māia, Auckland

Teara Gillman is a kaupapa Māori-driven leader with extensive experience across health, social, and wellbeing sectors. As the General Manager of Toi Ora, the health and social services arm of Ngāti Whātua Ōrākei, Teara leads the strategic direction and operational delivery of a diverse portfolio including clinical care, mental health, whānau ora, and community wellbeing initiatives.Prior to this, Teara played a key role as Iwi Relationship Manager in the Toi Ora–nib Health Insurance partnership.

She worked alongside the nib team to support the implementation and increased utilisation of a Māori-led health insurance model that included access to rongoā Māori and culturally responsive navigation support. This initiative helps reduce barriers to specialist care, improving health outcome and supporting whānau to proactively manage their health, setting a precedent for how private sector partnerships can uplift iwi wellbeing aspirations.

In governance, Teara serves as a Trustee on for the Tāmaki Makaurau Hearing Trust (trading as Hearing Auckland) and sits on the Lotto NZ Stakeholder Panel. She is committed to ensuring Māori voices, tikanga, and tino rangatiratanga are embedded at all levels of decision-making.

Denise Hislop

Denise is a Clinical Nurse Specialist with over 30 years experience working with people with SCI. Completing PG Cert in Clinical Rehab, PG Dip Adv Nursing and MNursing. Denise has held Senior Nursing positions for over 20 years and is currently working in the Outpatient and Urology Service at Auckland Spinal Rehabilitation Unit, a Supra-Regional service covering the upper half of the North Island. Denise is a key member of our IDT Team Assessment follow-up programme. Her role encompasses telehealh support to patients, community health professionals and ACC. She is a member of the Expert Panel that devoped the 'Pressure injury in spinal cord injury: Consensus Statement', published in November 2021.

Renika Kant

Registered Nurse, PG Dip, Urologist Nurse Speciaist at Te Toka Tumai, Auckland

Renika is experienced in intravesical BCG therapy for bladder cancer, monitoring patient progress, and managing treatment-related complications.

Committed to delivering evidence-based, patient-centered care while collaborating with multidisciplinary teams to optimize oncological outcomes and enhance quality of life.

Renika has been a Urology nurse since 2006, with overall nursing experience of 33 years.

Dr Stephanie Kotes

Urologist, Auckland

Stephanie is a European urologist with dual fellowship training in functional-reconstructive and paediatric urology from the UK and Australia.

Stephanie has a special interest in transition urology and neuro-urology.

Stephanie currently works in general urology and as a neuro-urologist at the Auckland Spinal Rehabilitation Uniter practice includes functional urology and chronic pelvic pain, adolescent reconstructive urology and neuro-urology with a focus on post spinal cord injury bladder management, Parkinson’s disease and Multiple Sclerosis).

Sarah McCambridge

Health Psychologist, Auckland

Sarah is a Health Psychologist who has worked in cancer since 2014. She currently works in the Cancer Support Team in the Regional Cancer & Blood Service at Auckland City Hospital.

In addition to working clinically with cancer patients and their whanau, she is involved in projects education across the region to improve psychosocial care in oncology.

Bridget O'Brien

Bridget currently works for Te Whatu Ora Counties Manukau as a Continence Nurse Specialist (CNS).

Completed Nursing Dip (1989), BNurs (2002), Pg Cert

(Continence, 2012) and MNurs (2016).

Bridget works full time in the community Monday to Friday. Including one day a fortnight in the Urodynamics clinic assisting the Gynae Urologist.

Prof Manish Patel

MBBS MMed PhD FRACS (Urology)

Professor of Urological Oncology
Western Clinical School | Faculty of Medicine and Health |University of Sydney
Deputy Head,Specialty of Surgery
Specialty of Surgery | Faculty of Medicine and Health | University of Sydney
Clinical Professor
Faculty of Health Sciences |Macquarie University
Co-Chair Agency for Clinical Innovation- Urology
Urological Cancer Surgeon

Susan Rae

Clinical Nurse Specialist (CNS)
New Zealand Female Pelvic Mesh Service (NZFPMS)

Susan was born and bred in Invercargill but has called Auckland home for over 25 years. She has spent almost her entire career in Women’s Health and was the first CNS employed at the Northern Centre when the service opened in April 2023. She is now one of four nurses employed in the Northern centre, and one of six nationally.

The past two years have been a really steep learning curve, and at times really challenging, but Susan feels incredibly grateful and privileged to work alongside such a talented, passionate group of women (and one man!) who share the same commitment to making a meaningful difference to the lives of women affected by pelvic surgical mesh complications.

Susan is passionate about nursing. She believes that while nursing can be incredibly complex, at its core it’s about making a difference to someone during a difficult time in their lives.

Kaye Marie Takie

Clinical Nurse Specialist in Pacific Planned Care at Te Toku Tumai, currently acting Pacific Health Clinical Service Manager.

Kaye holds a Bachelor of Nursing degree, Completed a Master of Professional Practice in Nursing Leadership and a Postgraduate Diploma in Specialty Care (Pacific). Also holding Post graduate diploma Health Science, Post graduate certificate of advanced nursing.

With over 20 years of nursing experience specialising in Neurosurgery and Neurology adults and paediatrics. Current role over the last five years working in Pacific Planned Care Service in the areas of General Surgery, Orthopaedics, Urology, Ophthalmology & Neurosurgery Coordinating the surgical pathway from FSA to post surgical care.

Kaye also works in the Manawa Awhi nursing development team at Te Toku Tumai supporting the New Graduate Pacific nurses NETP/NESP with mentoring and education support while completing their graduate nursing program first year of practice.

During the Covid pandemic Kaye worked in the Pacific teams to support pop up clinics for vaccinations around Auckland. Volunteered and worked with the Hawkes Bay Cyclone relief at Hawks Bay Hospital Pacific team.

Kaye is of Cook Island/ New Zealand ethnicity therefore is passionate about delivering equitable, culturally informed care that integrates Pacific values, focusing on holistic support, family involvement, Pacific values and collective wellbeing. Her work emphasizes building strong, trusting relationships with patients and their families, ensuring care is not only clinically excellent but also respectful of cultural identity and community.