Committee

Originally from the UK, Orna has been working as a GP in Auckland with a particular focus on women’s health and contraception, since 2011.

She has held a variety of leadership roles including Clinical Director of East Health PHO and has been the Clinical Director of Primary Care Women’s Health at Auckland District Health Board since January 2019.

She is an honorary senior lecturer at the University of Auckland and is on the Board of the newly formed New Zealand College of Sexual and Reproductive Health.

She is firmly of the belief that collaboration, teamwork, kindness and a sense of humour can solve most problems and is currently trying to apply this philosophy to the issues of women’s access to contraception and abortion services in Aotearoa.

Justine has been working as a General Practitioner in the Wellington region for over 25 years. She is passionate about supporting her fellow colleagues, collaboration and system improvement to ensure sustainable and high quality general practice is a reality for people all across Aotearoa for many years to come.

Currently deputy chair of NZWIM Charitable Trust and chair of the Wellington Faculty RNZCGP, Justine strives to be part of the solution. In her mahi she also leads collaborative work across NZ as the Clinical Advisor for the national health pathways programme Te Whatu Ora, NZ Clinical Advisor for the HealthPathways platform, and is a member of the GPNZ Primary Care Clinical Leaders Forum.

A fifth generation pakeha, of English and Irish heritage raised in Wellington, Justine identifies as tangata Te Tiriti. A keen listener, constant learner and curious problem solver, she delights in finding opportunity for improvement. Now her children are independent adults, she loves having more time to dance, sing and gets out into nature whenever she can.

Holly is an ICU SHO in Palmerston North and planning to train in Anaesthesia. Originally from the South Otago region she studied at Otago Medical School where she was treasurer and organiser of a number of Medical School events.

During her summer holidays she worked for her parents accounting firm for 7 years, her time there has added to a side interest in business and clinical governance.

Outside of work Holly enjoys mountain biking, going to the gym and playing touch rugby.

Stacey is a Consultant Anaesthetist at Counties Manukau and an Australian and New Zealand College of Anaesthetists Rotational Supervisor. She is also a mum of three.

Liz is an ophthalmic and oculoplastic surgeon based in Hawke’s Bay where she is the clinical director for ophthalmology.

Liz is the current RANZCO NZ branch Chair and the first woman to hold this position since Dr Dorothy Potter was president of the New Zealand Ophthalmological Society in 1984.

She is the co-founder of ‘Women in Vision Aotearoa’ and sits on the RANZCO Women in Ophthalmology advisory board.

Liz believes in the empowerment of trainees, support and collegiality, and the therapeutic benefit of long trail runs.

Originally from the UK, Louise has been working at Middlemore Hospital for 10 years as a Consultant in Anaesthesia. . She was also the deputy head of anaesthesia for 5 years. Her work interests include obstetrics, general and gynaecological surgery. She currently helps to co-ordinate a multi-disciplinary in-situ emergency drill training for obstetrics and surgery. Louise regularly teaches on ALS (advanced life support courses), CRISP (Critically ill surgical patients) and APLS (paediatric life support).

Her vast experience this has taught her the importance of being a good communicator and not underestimating the power of listening. Being compassionate and maintaining an optimistic outlook on life has helped immensely in all aspects of her career.

Outside of work Louise participates in endurance swimming and running events and has recently taken up road biking.

Dr Cathy Stephenson is a GP, working in Porirua as part of the 502 Rangatahi Ora team. She is also Principal Health Advisor at the Ministry of Social Development.

Cathy has always been passionate about education and over the years has been a regular columnist for Stuff and New Zealand Doctor, as well as Spokesperson and Director for several NGOs.

When not at work, Cathy can be found pottering in her vegetable garden, cooking for her whānau or walking on the beautiful Kapiti Coast beaches.

Having been surrounded by supportive female colleagues all her working life, Cathy is super excited to be part of the 2024 NZWIM conference organising team!