Staff

Adam Gilshnan

LTC Health Navigator

With a diverse and extensive vocational history that encompasses hotel management, Adam Gilshnan transitioned into the role of LTC Health Navigator within the PHO Health Navigator team in 2007. His multifaceted background speaks to a broad range of skills and experiences. In addition to his primary role, Adam is an engaged participant in sports administration and is the proprietor of a private West Coast Rugby Museum. Complementing these pursuits, he contributes as a freelance rugby writer for publications as diverse as the NZ Rugby News magazine and the Greymouth Star newspaper. Furthermore, Adam serves as the deputy chair and trustee on the board of the West Coast Community Trust. His professional journey reflects a commitment to excellence, and his involvement in various capacities underscores a dedication to community engagement and healthcare navigation.

Alisa Duncan

NZ Reg.Dietitian

Alisa is working for the PHO as a Health Coach for the Melon Programme. She registered as a Dietitian in 2003 and has worked in various clinical and primary health roles in both NZ and the UK. Alisa is passionate about helping people to develop a healthy relationship with food for improved health and welbeing.

Amy Bruhn

Smokefree Service Co ordinator

Amy has been an asset to the West Coast PHO within the Green Prescription team for the past seven years. She has accepted a step up to the Smokefree Services Coordinator role as of June 2023. Amy is currently studying a degree in Health Science with a major in Health Promotion and minor in Integrated Human Health through Massey University. Amy is passionate about helping people and improving health outcomes for vulnerable communities.

 

Anne Hines

Health Promotion Coordinator

I am a born and bred West Coaster, thru and thru. I come with an event management background. My strengths lie in local knowledge and a vast number of contacts in the NGO .I am passionate about helping people get their best outcome and making our community a healthy one. When I am not at work you will find me with a paint brush or pencil- dabbling with art or out on our wonderful coastline.

Ayla Tranter

Healthy Lifestyles Programme Manager

Ayla Tranter has stepped into the newly created role of Healthy Lifestyles Programme Manager. Ayla brings together the PHO’s Green Prescription, Dietetics, Health Improvement Practitioners, Health Coaches, Health Promotion, Breast feeding and Smoke free Co-ordination functions into one Healthy Lifestyles Team. Ayla has previously worked for Te Whatu Ora Te Tai o Poutini and the Northern Regional Alliance (responsible for post-graduate training and education for junior doctors across the three former Auckland DHBs). Ayla is committed to Pae Ora and working with a whānau ora approach. She has a Bachelor of Commerce with double majors in Management and Human Resources and is currently studying towards a Diploma in Naturopathy

Beth Wiechern

Registered Psychologist/Brief Intervention Therapist

Beth is a Psychologist with speciality in children, young people and their families/whanau. She has had previous experience in the NGO sector working with difficulties in mental health, parenting, and behaviour management. Within her time at the PHO, she has strengthened her skills to work individually with adults and has found a niche working with young people/Rangatahi. She is passionate about working with people; supporting them with challenges they are facing to facilitate change and create meaningful living.

Bronwyn Beavon

N.Z Registered Dietitian

Bronwyn works part time as a dietitian for the PHO. Registered since 2004, Bronwyn has experience in clinical dietetics, health promotion, online nutrition consultancy and private practice. Bronwyn  believes in weight inclusive nutrition care for everybody in any body – this means ditching the scales and body weight goals! Bronwyn supports people to reconnect and to listen to their bodies when it comes to what, when and how much to eat or move.

Caro Findlay

Chief Executive

Caro is a proud West Coast, born and raised in Greymouth.  After finishing her education at the University of Otago; she spent some time in Wellington and London before returning home to the Coast to be with family and enjoy the advantages of living in the most beautiful part of the world.  Caro is motivated by the opportunity to see the West Coast thrive - our people, our communities, our economy, and our environment.  She has a background in law, politics, immigration, community development, human resources and health. 

Catherine O'Leary

N.Z Reg. Social Worker/Mental Health Clinician

Catherine is a Registered Social Worker and Mental Health Clinician with 20 years experience in both Primary and Secondary services. Catherine has a strong passion and background in working with children, young people and their families/whanau, and has spent the past 12 years working at Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service for the Nelson/Marlborough DHB.

Danielle Dawson

LTC Health Navigator Coordinator

Danielle has worked in the NGO sector for many years before joining the WCPHO. Danielle's strengths are her links with the community and pulling local people together to share resources to get the best outcome for people and organisations.

Erin Turley

Breastfeeding Advocate

Erin provides breastfeeding support and education for West Coast mothers, whanau, and health professionals.  Breastfeeding is a skill that both mum and baby learn together and having the right information and support available makes it far easier to reach breastfeeding goals. As a Pregnancy, Birth, and Parenting Educator with a BA in Sociology and Women’s Studies, Erin is passionate about helping women make informed choices at all stages their breastfeeding journey.

Eva Berther-Lindmeier

Health Improvement Practitioner

After graduating as a comprehensive nurse in 2015, Eva relocated to the coast from Invercargill working in both mental health and community health roles . Eva originates from Germany, has lived in NZ for 30 years working in a number of areas of hospitality. She is passionate about person-centered approaches and committed to improving health outcomes through efficient and effective behavioural support in primary care.

Gary Bowden

Brief Intervention Counsellor

Gary qualified as a registered nurse in mental health in the UK in 2004 after working in the NHS in the mental health and addiction services moved to the wonderful West Coast in 2007.Gary spent 12 years working for the West Coast DHB working with community mental health, child and adolescent mental health service and the alcohol and drug service before joining the West Coast PHO in 2019.Gary has a post graduate qualification in addiction and co existing mental health problems. Gary is a keen trail runner and loves the combination of exercise and being in nature and in his free time can be found on the trails all around the West Coast.

Hannah Green

Physical/Tinana Activity Advisor-currently on Maternity leave.

Hannah hails from the beautiful Kawatiri. Hannah’s passion lies in empowering clients and whānau to lead healthy and vibrant lives through mana enhancing and holistic practices. Hannah’s training and knowledge in using movement as a medicine and holistic practice utilising Te Whare Tapa Wha pair perfectly with the Green Prescription programme here at the PHO. Along with her new role, Hannah also somehow manages to juggle two other jobs as a massage therapist and yoga instructor while studying part time in Ayuvedic health counselling.

Jenni Beckett

Registered Psychologist/ Online Youth Wellbeing Practitioner

Jenni is a Registered Psychologist with over 20 years’ experience working in mental health. She has worked in primary care, tertiary education, anxiety disorders clinic, and in training/ supervising psychologists. Jenni is passionate about youth having access to care. She loves providing telehealth (phone, video) to meet people in their own relaxed space- sometimes with their pets on their laps, reducing barriers to get support. Jenni uses a variety of therapy models within her coaching, including DBT, CBT, ACT, mindfulness, and narrative therapy.

Joanne Smith

Administration

Joanne has worked in a variety of administration roles over the past 30+ years. She is enjoying working with a team of people who are dedicated to the health and well-being of people on the West Coast.

Karla Skates

Health Coach

Karla is loving living back on the Coast after returning in 2019, appreciating the people and the uniqueness of the region that makes the West Coast such a desirable place to live. Karla’s spent a number of years on the front line as an ambulance officer at Hato Hone St John. Following this demanding role, Karla taught a range of adult students as a First Aid Instructor before returning to the Coast to take up a role with Women’s Refuge in Buller and work as an HCA for Te Whatu Ora. Karla enjoys helping others gain autonomy over their own health and wellbeing journey and is looking forward to the contribution she can make in her role as a Health Coach.

Laurence Bell

Health Improvement Practitioner

Laurence has experience and qualifications in nursing, teaching, counselling and career advice. He has extensive experience within the health and disability sector both in the UK and New Zealand. Passionate about person-centered approaches. He is committed to improving health outcomes through efficient and effective behavioural support in primary care.

Lexine Jarden

Administration

Lexine has worked in a variety of Office roles over the past 30+ years, making the move to the Health Sector in 2016. She is enjoying working with the PHO Team and meeting and talking to lots of new people during her working day.

Maggi Johnson

Innovation & Improvement Lead

Maggi graduated with a Bachelor of Science, majoring in Sport & Exercise Nutrition from the University of Otago in 2020 & a Masters of Applied Science in Advanced Nutrition Practice in 2022. Growing up on the West Coast nutured Maggi’s passion and love for endurance sport and adventure, she enjoys competing in running and long-distance triathlon events. Maggi worked as a Health Coach & private practice Sports Nutritionist in Otago and enjoys the holistic approach to supporting client’s wellbeing. Maggi most recently worked as a Health Coach across the two Primary Care Practices in Greymouth before moving into the role of Innovation & Improvement Lead.

Martin Greaney

GRx Co Ordinator

Martin has a background in Exercise Prescription and previously worked as a personal trainer for 15 years. Martins speciality is mobilisation, movement, and helping people with exercise that are unsure where to start.

Moira Green

Health Improvement Practitioner-Buller

Kia ora koutou katoa. My name is Moira. I call myself a Celtic Kiwi as I feel a strong connection with Wales (where I was born), the Forest of Dean in Gloucestershire (where my family are from) and my adopted homeland of Aotearoa. I love travelling and have been fortunate to experience life in several different countries. I am passionate about working with people; supporting them with challenges they are facing through effective behavioural support. I look forward to working together!

Nancy McNoe

LTC Health Navigator/Kaiawhina

Nancy thrives in working alongside clients and their whanau to connect and navigate the Health & Social systems within our communities, here on the West Coast. Nancy actively seeks to attain knowledge & resources, plus offers care and support to assist clients while on their health journeys. In her 15+ years in the role, Nancy has also built strong and trusting relationships with the Clinical providers to the PHO.   Nancy’s background prior to these roles was in Administration Management for NGO Health & Social Sectors.

Nicola Searle

Counsellor/BIC Therapist

Nicki is a general counselling practitioner and facilitator. She has been working with individuals, couples and families, and has been a member of the NZ Association of Counsellors since 2000. 
Nicki has trained in and uses a variety of therapy models, including ACT, CBT and BIC, which she adapts to each person’s needs. She has practiced and taught Mindfulness over this time, and specialises the science of the brain and how to manage stress, relationships, life changes and difficult emotions. Nicki believes all people can be calmer and happier with coaching, and practice of these skills.

Patricia Hsu

Counselling Psychologist

Patricia is a New Zealand trained and registered counselling psychologist. Before coming to the West Coast, Patricia lived in Auckland for ten years working at different mental health NGOs. Patricia also worked at AUT University as a tutor for Health Professional Practice and Ethics as well as conducting clinicial supervision for mental health students.  Patricia has a wide range of clinicial experiences from primary care to secondary mental health.

Roz Stuart

Administration Manager

Roz joined the PHO in 2019 having previously worked in secondary education. Roz is looking forward to working in the Health Sector and is enjoying being part of a team dedicated to the health and wellbeing of our community.

Stephanie Blackman

Clinical Quality Manager/NZ registered Dietitian

Stephanie has been a NZ registered Dietitian since 2006 and has experience in clinical dietetics and healthy promotion across primary and secondary services. Stephanie works as a body and weight inclusive dietitian, walking alongside people to explore nutrition and lifestyle challenges in a non-judgmental,self-caring way that suits an individual's stage of life and personal aspirations.

Tina Emsden

Suicide Prevention/Postvention Co-ordinator

I am born and raised in Whangarei but spent years working in a corporate environment in Auckland.  I returned to school as a ‘mature’ student and graduated with a Bachelor of Health Science (Nursing) in 2003 and have worked in a number of nursing and management roles since then.  I moved to the South Island in 2016 and have never looked back!  The West Coast is spectacular and is only surpassed by the warmth of its people.  Outside of work I love spending time with my animals, reading and am a passionate and seasoned traveller.

Vaughan Warren

Physical/Tinana Activity Advisor

 Originally from Christchurch and having spent time in both Nelson and Hamilton, has finally settled in beautiful Hokitika in 2019 with his wife and 2 boys (now 3).

Vaughan has spent many years as a personal trainer and holds his level 3 and 4 certificate in fitness.

Vaughan’s passion lies in strength and fitness training. Vaughan’s goal is to help others find not only the physical benefits of exercise but find the joy in it to.