Our team

Our Team

The team at Mobile Health work in a variety of roles throughout the country. Click on the buttons below to meet the key people that make it all happen.

Clinical Team

Mobile Health employs a Clinical Nurse Leader (CNL) and Anaesthetic Technician (AT) to ensure the smooth running of the surgical list and to provide the key link between the Mobile Surgical Unit – Te Waka Hauora, the local nursing staff and the surgeon and anaesthetist. A regular team of permanent part-time staff work either one or two weeks on the surgical unit during the five-week cycle around New Zealand Aotearoa. The staff work in a variety of other nursing roles throughout the country while not on the surgical unit.

Liz Grant

Clinical Nurse Manager

Liz joined Mobile Health as Clinical Nurse Leader in March 2013, and took on the role of Clinical Nurse Manager February 2018. She is based in Ashburton and has worked for many years in the small rural hospital – the past ten years of which have been in the operating theatre – in both a clinical and a management role. During this time the emphasis was on providing an efficient, elective day-stay surgical service for the people of Canterbury.

Karenza Heath

Clinical Nurse Leader

Karenza joined Mobile Health shortly after the concept of a mobile truck hit the road, and hasn’t looked back. She brings to the unit a wealth of operating theatre experience covering an extensive range of surgical procedures and specialties. She keeps her clinical role up to date by sharing her time between Te Whatu Ora – Health New Zealand life and that of the mobile surgical unit, the contrast of which is an enjoyable challenge.

Chris Heath

Anaesthetic Technician

Chris is immensely proud to be the longest serving member of the clinical team working on board the mobile surgical unit and sees no other environment he could possibly wish to better serve the rural patient. He particularly enjoys getting to know rural people in the precious few moments prior to surgery and the commencement of their anaesthesia which historically is an emotionally difficult time for many.

He trained in a specialist paediatric hospital and has a passion for the care of children and their individual needs whist visiting the mobile surgical unit. Education and staff training remain the cornerstone of his extended practice having attained adult education certification.

In his spare time, he loves travelling and mountain running.

Tracey Doyle

Clinical Nurse Leader

Tracey has nursed in many perioperative environments during the past 24 years including Wellington Hospital, Kenepuru Hospital, Porirua Hospital, and presently Crest Hospital theatres in Palmerston North.  Tracey has been working on Te Waka Hauora in Kapiti since 2010, and joined our team as a clinical nurse leader in 2019.

Outside of work, Tracey is found on another waka, waka ama (outrigger canoe), paddling with like-minded people moving forward together. Tracey and her daughters are dedicated paddlers for their our local waka ama club, Otaki Waka Hoe and compete regionally and nationally at sprint and long-distance regattas.

Kasha Laverick

Clinical Nurse Leader

Kasha has more than 35 years’ experience in nursing, and has vast knowledge of various specialities, but theatre nursing has always been where she feels most at home. She loves the team vibe that comes with working on the mobile surgical unit and enjoys being able to bring care to small towns in New Zealand. As well as working on the surgical unit, she works at Geneva Health Care as a part-time community nurse in Hawke’s Bay. Kasha became a celebrant in 2019 and performs weddings and funerals – she loves that she can support individuals and families in two of life’s most significant and emotional events. Kasha enjoys spending time on a lifestyle block in Central Hawkes Bay with her husband Harry, walking their two dogs, caravanning, and spending time with family and friends.

Keeley Lawson

Anaesthetic Technician

Keeley qualified as an anaesthetic technician in the United Kingdom in 2001, and also holds a certificate in adult education. She says paediatrics are her favourite patients and has worked at Starship Children’s Hospital in Auckland for about 10 years. She has been working in Whangarei Base Hospital for approximately 18 months. Keeley is involved in Heart4Kids charity where she gets the opportunity to go on surgical missions to Fiji to perform heart surgery on children. She has been working onboard the mobile surgical unit for a short time but loves visiting the rural locations.

Vicky Copland

Enrolled Nurse

Vicky is an enrolled nurse and trained in 1985 at Ashburton hospital, where she has worked in their operating theatres and endoscopy unit until December 2020. Vicky is also a qualified sterile science technician and has a very keen interest in Infection Prevention Control (IPC). In 2021 she started working on the mobile surgical unit with the South Island team, travelling to rural locations on the east and west coast of the island. Vicky loves her role and feels very privileged being part of a team who helps deliver a service that improves outcomes for rural people.

Nic Campbell

Registered Nurse

Nic qualified as a nurse in 1992. Theatre nursing has been the main stay of her career with a couple of years practise nursing before taking a break to work on the family farm. She returned to casual work at Dannevirke Community Hospital, which in turn led her to working on a casual basis for Mobile Health on the mobile surgical unit. She loves being part of the team and working in a great environment.

Sue Nilson

Anaesthetic Technician

Sue has worked as an anaesthetic technician in different locations around New Zealand for the past 27 years and has been with Mobile Health since 2008. She has three years of previous experience with Mobile Health and has re-joined the team after taking some time off to look after her young daughter.

“I love working aboard the surgical unit, working within the professional teams, for rural New Zealanders.”

Karly Geary

Registered Nurse and Anaesthetic Technician

Karly is a highly skilled healthcare professional who has been making a positive impact in the medical field for several years. She obtained her registered nurse qualification in 2015, and then studied and qualified as an anaesthetic technician in 2020. Karly currently resides and works in Timaru, where she serves as an anaesthetic technician and registered nurse at Timaru Hospital.

As one of the newest members of the Mobile Health clinical team, Karly is proud to be a part of an organisation that shares her passion for delivering high-quality patient care. She works on the surgical unit and enjoys the dynamic environment that comes with her role. In addition to her duties, Karly appreciates the collaborative team-based approach to care that is a hallmark of Mobile Health. Working alongside her colleagues provides her with a sense of camaraderie and fulfillment that she finds deeply rewarding.

Jayne Attkins

Registered Nurse

Jayne completed her rural nurse training in the UK and moved to New Zealand 28 years ago. Her career to date has been specialising in both PACU and ICU and has worked extensively in both public and private hospitals. PACU nursing is her passion. She joined the Mobile Health clinical team three years ago and loves the unique working environment, the supportive team, meeting and caring for the many patients treated on the unit, with the added bonus of seeing and experiencing different areas of beautiful New Zealand.

Diana Korach

Anaesthetic Technician

Diana initially trained at Whangarei Hospital as an enrolled nurse where she worked in the operating theatre for many years. She completed her chair side dental training and worked in that field for a few years before returning to the operating theatre where she completed her anaesthetic technician training. In the last 12 years she has worked as an anesthetic technician both in New Zealand and overseas, including public and private hospitals. She joined the Mobile Health team in late 2011. 

Anne Shirtliff

Clinical Nurse Leader

Anne is a clinical nurse leader who has been working for Mobile Health since August 2008. She works for one and a half weeks every cycle covering many of the South Island locations.

Originally from Ireland, Anne is Dunedin-based and for the rest of her time works as a theatre nurse in both Mercy Hospital and Dunedin Public Hospital, as well as keeping busy on her 42 acre farmlet on the Otago Peninsula. Living in the country herself, Anne identifies with the rural communities and their needs, and is thrilled to be a part of making a difference to their healthcare.

Support Team

The Mobile Health crew based in Christchurch.

Dr Jane MacDonald

Medical Director

After completing her urological training, Jane undertook fellowship positions in London and Ireland. She spent two years at the Institute of Urology and Nephrology in London as a fellow in the reconstruction unit learning urethroplasty for male stricture disease and in particular the use of buccal mucosal grafts. Jane followed this with a year in Limerick in southwest Ireland as a fellow in female urology. Jane has gained considerable experience in surgery for stress incontinence and also non-operative management of female incontinence. As well as these subspecialties, Jane really enjoys core urology and in particular managing lower urinary tract symptoms in men, counselling men with abnormal PSAs and stone disease.

Mark Eager

Chief Executive

Mark has been with Mobile Health since 2007, and comes from a nursing background. He manages the team at Mobile Health, as well as the relationship with the Manatu Hauora Ministry of Health. He is also the chair of the Primary Response in Medical Emergencies (PRIME) Board, and a Board member of Hauora Taiwhenua Rural Health Network. 

Gavin Hurring

Steerologist (aka Driver)

With 35 years professional driving experience, Gavin has developed a comprehensive knowledge of New Zealand roads. As one of two drivers (mobile surgical unit and mobile lithotripsy unit for Mobile Medical Technology) he is also responsible for deployment of the surgical unit at each site, ensuring the onboard systems are able to support safe operating theatre practice.

Jim Wilson

Steerologist (aka Driver)

With extensive experience driving trucks and coaches on both sides of the Tasman, Jimmy joined the Mobile Health team in 2001. Since then he has supported Gavin in driving the mobile surgical unit and mobile lithotripsy unit around the country on its five-week circuit.

Doug Grant "Sausage"

Steerologist (aka Driver)

Doug has been a contract driver for Mobile Health since 2008. He started driving coaches for a New Zealand touring company in 1985 before moving to Australia for two years driving express service coaches interstate, and another two years in the United Kingdom on an OE. He also managed two coach operations in New Zealand – Clarks Coachlines and Pacific Tourways. From 2000 – 2005 Doug was self-employed working in a café in Hokitika with his wife Denise; in 2008 they bought Paper Plus Gore. Doug was a Gore district councillor from 2012 to 2022, and Justice of the Peace since 2018.

Heather Nielsen

Patient Liaison Co-ordinator

Heather works as an anaesthetic technician and also is our patient liaison co-ordinator. She comes to us with an extensive background in the medical field. She has been a registered anaesthetic technician since 1999 and holds an educational role as a national assessor for anaesthetic students, through the Auckland University of technology.

Heather is responsible for conducting patient follow up questionnaires for all patients treated on the mobile surgical unit and mobile lithotripsy unit. She also manages stock supplies for the surgical unit and general office administration.

Sue Wallace

Scheduling/Liaison Manager

Sue joined the Mobile Health team in 2005. Prior to Mobile Health, she managed medical information at Canterbury District Health Board for 29 years, managing both the medical records and clinical coding for Christchurch Hospital. Sue has a Health Records Management Diploma and her medical knowledge and experience ensures she is well-equipped for her Mobile Health role of co-ordinating surgical services with base hospitals.

Pam Gove

Accounting Manager

As the accounting manager, Pam takes care of payments and receipts, and provides accounting information to management and Board. Originally from South Africa and having qualified as a member of the Chartered Institute of Management Accountants in the UK, Pam worked for various National Health Board organisations in finance and management prior to immigrating to New Zealand. She claims not to know ‘Suzie the Waitress’.

Pauline Proud

Education Co-ordinator (Auckland)

Pauline joined Mobile Health in December 2011 and works in Auckland extending the capacity of the rural education and professional development programme. She has professional relationship, project and programme management experience, has designed and delivered adult learning programmes in the public health sector, and comes from a nursing and human resource management background.

Pauline has an interest in novel and effective provision of professional development for professionals working in rural communities, having provided training and promoted virtual professional teamwork around the country, including working with remote communities. 

Andrew Panckhurst

Commercial Manager

Andrew has extensive sales and marketing experience previously working in both high-tech manufacturing, and the business to business sectors. He joined Mobile Health in 2008 and manages all marketing and promotional activities, including events such as the Fieldays Health & Wellness Hub. Andrew also films, edits and produces many of our live and recorded video sessions.

Andrew is a member of the NZ Telehealth Forum and he runs the NZ Telehealth Resource Centre and the telehealth.org.nz website.

Dave Withell

Operations Manager

Dave has worked at Mobile Health since 2000. He initially worked in the IT department where he built up a specialist knowledge of video conferencing, which has developed into a special interest in video equipment and health networks.

Dave oversees maintenance of the Mobile Surgical Unit – Te Waka Hauora and the Mobile Lithotripsy Unit at Mobile Medical Technology both owned by Mobile Health. He is overseeing the design and construction of the second mobile surgical unit for Mobile Health.

Jess Lally

Administration Co-ordinator

Jess became a part of the Mobile Health team in 2018. Her responsibilities encompass various aspects of human resource administration, such as facilitating the onboarding process for new team members and ensuring compliance with staff education and training prerequisites. Additionally, she handles the co-ordination of staff travel arrangements for the Mobile Surgical Unit.

Davina Whitcher

Telehealth and Marketing      Co-ordinator

Davina joined the team in late 2020. Originally from the UK, she is a former magazine journalist and has worked in marketing and communications in various industries, including IT and agriculture.

Her role entails managing and co-ordinating all aspects of marketing, and wears many hats as her work spans across Mobile Health, Mobile Medical Technology, My Health Hub and the NZ Telehealth Forum and Resource Centre telehealth.org.nz

Outside of work, she enjoys spending quality time with her husband and young daughter. She is also an avid enthusiast of interior design, home styling and also enjoys gardening and pilates.

Chris Moore

Education Manager

Chris joined Mobile Health in January 2022. Having had experience in industrial engineering and sales, she eventually trained as a science teacher and has held various training and development roles both in the United Kingdom and New Zealand. Being committed to bringing equity of access to development opportunities to our rural health professionals means that in addition to managing our education programmes, Chris will be getting out and about meeting rural networks and growing our provision to more remote communities.

Richard MacDonald

Logistics Manager

Richard joined the Mobile Health team in May 2023 as the new logistics manager. He ran his own business for 13 years as a courier contractor until the Christchurch earthquakes. He then worked for NZ Post for 23 years and moved on to the business side working in several roles including managing courier contractors in Christchurch to operations manager and area manager in Dunedin. He returned to Christchurch in 2019 to manage rural delivery contractors across Canterbury.

Richard is of Ngāi Tahu and Rangitāne decent and is married with three children and a grandchild. He is a keen cyclist, having recently completed the Sounds2Sounds, a 1500 km bikepacking route from Queen Charlotte Sound to Milford Sound.

Rosanna Carleton

Rural Education Co-ordinator

Rosanna joined the Mobile Health education team in July 2022, bringing experience from previous roles at Conference Innovators and within the tourism industry in NZ and abroad. Having grown up rurally she has lived experience with limitations to educational opportunities for rural communities. Outside of work Rosanna spends many hours at the turf playing and coaching hockey.

Kate Hubbard

People, Culture & Sustainability

Kate has taken on the role of People, Culture, and Sustainability for Mobile Health in May 2023 alongside her work for Mobile Medical Technology. Her role focuses on the wellbeing and development of the individuals within the organisation, fostering a positive work environment and promoting a culture of inclusivity and growth. It also involves implementing practices and initiatives that support environmental sustainability.

Rae Gulbransen

Rural Online Education Co-ordinator

Rae joined the Mobile Health education team in May 2024, bringing experience from working in primary care with Mahitahi Hauora PHO in Whangarei for more than 16 years. Her various roles included co-ordinating education, health screening programme management and other roles working alongside general practice staff. She is passionate about supporting rural health professionals to enable them to have access to the learning that they need to grow, and provide the best possible service to their communities. When Rae is not working, she can be found exploring our beautiful country in her motorhome.

Kathryn Howden

Quality Manager

Kathryn joined the Mobile Health team in June 2024 as Quality Manager. She is a registered nurse with over 11 years of clinical experience. During the global COVID-19 pandemic, Kathryn served as a Clinical Nurse Specialist in Infection Prevention and Control, and prior to that has worked in emergency and general medicine.

Kathryn holds a Postgraduate Diploma in Nursing and is known for her exceptional attention to detail and thoroughness. She is deeply passionate about patient safety and quality healthcare, particularly in rural environments.

Outside of work, Kathryn loves to unleash her creativity through pottery and finds joy in nurturing her garden in Darfield with her family.

© Mobile Health 2019