Kaikōrero | Speakers

Mr Emmanuel Jo 
Manager of Analytics and Forecasting, Health New Zealand

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Mr Emmanuel Jo specialises in mathematical modelling in health workforces. His expertise include turning real-world situations into mathematical models; and providing health workforce forecasting models for government health initiatives and policies.

Emmanuel studied Operations Research. In 2000, he joined Electronic Data Systems (EDS) (now Hewlett-Packard) as a mathematical modeller working on a variety of projects. In 2004, he joined the Accident Compensation Corporation (ACC), moved to the Ministry of Health in 2006, and then transferred to Health New Zealand during 2022, as a part of health reform in New Zealand.

During his service at the Ministry of Health in 2009, he was involved in developing the Virtual Diabetes Register, which is now being used as the official diabetes prevalence in New Zealand. In 2015, he developed the Health Workforce Forecasting Model for planning of health workforces. Currently, Emmanuel is an Honorary Lecturer in Medicine at the School of Medicine, the University of Auckland, and is also the Manager of Analytics and Forecasting Section, People and Culture at Health New Zealand.

Professor Suzanne Pitama
Dean and head of campus, University of Otago, Christchurch 

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Professor Suzanne Pitama is the Dean and the Head of Campus at the University of Otago, Christchurch. She is a registered psychologist and a member of the New Zealand Psychological Society. Suzanne has been involved in Māori health research, and health professional education for over 20 years.

Her work has included the development of an Indigenous Health model of health, which supports Indigenous and non-Indigenous health professionals signpost cultural competency and safety within their practice.

Suzanne has received several awards, including the Prime Minister’s Supreme Award for tertiary teaching excellence and both the Indigenous Leadership Award and Lifetime Award from the Leaders in Indigenous Medical Education (LIME). She was also awarded the Joan Metge Medal for her research in Indigenous medical education and the Dame Marie Clay Award for contributions to educational and developmental psychology.

Dr Simone Watkins
Senior Lecturer, University of Auckland 

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Dr Simone Watkins is a paediatric doctor of Pasifika descent. She was awarded a Chancellor's Award for Top Māori and Pacific Scholar by the University of Auckland and Pacific Health Workforce Awards in 2007 – 2010 to undertake a Bachelor of Medicine and Surgery.

In 2011, she graduated from her medical studies with distinction. After completing her initial junior doctor years in Whangārei, she moved to Auckland to train in Paediatrics in 2014 and has been awarded an Indigenous Pacific Island RACP Scholarship to complete her advanced training in General Paediatrics.

Dr Watkins has spent the last three years completing her doctorate on why the outcomes of critical congenital heart disease in New Zealand differ by ethnicity with funding from a HRC Pacific Clinical Fellowship.

She currently has an appointment as a senior lecturer at the Department of Paediatrics at the University of Auckland and has two children who are 6 and 8 years old.

Dr Hamish McCay
RACP President, Aotearoa New Zealand 

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Hamish is a general paediatrician based in Waikato and the current Aotearoa NZ President for RACP. He trained in Paediatrics in Auckland and Whangārei, completing a post-Fellowship year in Community Paediatrics before returning to Aotearoa. Hamish has been involved in College bodies since 2011, particularly with the CPD Committees, Paediatrics and Child Health Division, Fellowship Committee and Aotearoa NZ Committee. In the little time he's not at work or involved in College activities you'll find Hamish riding bikes, playing bass guitar or hanging out with his whānau.

Professor Matt is of Ngāi Tahu, Kāti Mamoe, Waitaha descent, a second language te reo learner and has 3 tamariki in immersion schools. He is a General physician and haematologist but predominantly works in Māori health equity. He is the deputy chair of the Māori Health Committee, an educational supervisor and a PGY1/2 supervisor as well as running a peer support group called Te Minenga in Tauranga where he works and lives.









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