Meet The Team

I was born and bred in Waikato and underwent my medical training at the University of Auckland. In the late 1990s, I travelled to Scotland, where I underwent post graduate training in general practice. On my return to NZ in 2004, I undertook further study and completed my Fellowship to the NZ College of General Practice in 2006. I enjoy all aspects of general practice, including family medicine, minor surgery, school clinics, emergency medicine and elderly care.

I am actively involved in teaching and enjoy working with trainee interns, PGY House surgeons and GP registrars. I am active in the oversight of Quality plans for general practices in the central North Island, through involvement with Midlands Health Network. I began work initially as a locum for Health Te Aroha in 2004, becoming a partner in 2005, joining GPs Tertius and Paul.

Outside the medical centre, my interests include fitness (gym work, running, cycling) and music. I am a New Zealand Champion Bagpiper, currently active in competing, performing, judging and teaching all aspects of this instrument. I was Pipe Major of the Hamilton Caledonian Society's pipe band from 2007-2009. I have won numerous prestigious prizes competing in Scotland in international events. I am married to Meleana, a talented piper in her own right. We have two children.

I grew up in Taupo and went to Otago Medical School. I have always had an interest in general practice, and it was always my intention to become a GP once I was trained. After qualifying as a GP, I worked in Tauranga for a few years, until I met my husband Richard who was dairy farming at the time. This prompted a move to Te Aroha and rural medicine, and I joined the practice in 2006. I became a partner in 2010 after having my children and have worked full time since then.

As a female GP, I have developed an interest in women's health and have a post graduate certificate in this subject from Otago. I also has a diploma in child health. Additionally, I have worked in the area of smoking cessation and am passionate about helping people stop smoking and live healthier lives.

I have two children who keep me and my husband busy at home. I also have a passion for patchwork, and my husband is involved in agility training of our fox terriers.

Keegan grew up in Kawerau in the Bay of Plenty. He completed his degree at Auckland Medical School.
Keegan enjoys all aspects of being a GP and being able to help all those who come through the practice. Outside of work Keegan has a keen interest in the gym and almost all sports especially rugby and touch rugby.

I was born and raised in rural Otago and Canterbury and completed my initial nursing training in Invercargill in 1995. I began my career in Christchurch, which included older adult nursing along with some surgical and general medical experience. My two children were born in Christchurch and in 2007 we moved north to settle in the Waikato where I continued in advanced nursing and management roles within the Aged Care sector, most recently in Te Aroha and Putaruru.
As the children became a bit older, I began post graduate studies. I graduated from The University of Auckland with and Postgraduate Diploma in Health Sciences with merit in 2017, registered as a Nurse Prescriber in 2019 and gained a Master’s Degree in Nursing in 2022. I have recently registered as Nurse Practitioner, and am excited to be working with the primary care team at Health Te Aroha. My area of special interest is with the older adult, but all aspects of primary care bring me personal and professional satisfaction. My children are now at University in Wellington, and I live in Hamilton with my fiancé and 2 dogs. I am a keen fisher-woman and enjoy getting outdoors whenever I can.

Ryan is a Physician Associate (PA-C). They have recently moved from Washington, USA.
They hold a Bachelor’s degree in Biology and a Masters degree in Physician Assistant Studies. They are nationally certified (the “C” in PA-C) through the NCCPA in the United States.
Ryan has been a certified Physician Associate in family medicine/acute care for the last 12 years. They have also served as a Proctor for Clinical Reasoning Assessments for first and second year students at University of Washington.
There is a wide array of things that light them up. Among them are eating delicious food from various cultures around the world, enjoying a scenic hike and singing their heart out at karaoke. They would love to hear any recommendations you have for places to eat or visit and things to do to help them make Waikato feel like home.
What is a Physician Associate?
Physician associates are highly trained healthcare professionals who work as a part of the medical team. PAs are trained under the medical model like doctors and are hired to work as an extension of a doctor under the doctor's delegation. They have existed in the U.S. since the mid 1960s and are currently working and being trialled all over the world.
PAs typically obtain medical histories, perform examinations and procedures, diagnose illnesses, prescribe medication, order and interpret diagnostic tests, refer patients to specialists as required, and first or second-assist in surgery.
Because New Zealand is in the early stages of registering PAs as a medical profession here, there will be limitations on their scope of practice. All PAs’ work at Health Te Aroha is checked and signed off by a GP

Who is Justine?

Justine is a Physician Associate (PA-C). She recently moved here with her husband and son (and two dogs) from Vermont in the USA. She feels very fortunate to live and work in beautiful New Zealand.

She holds a Bachelor’s degree in cultural anthropology and ecology and a Master’s degree in Infectious diseases. She is nationally certified (the “C” in PA-C) through the NCCPA in the United States.

Justine has been a Physician Associate in family medicine for over 20 years at the same rural clinic. She has proctored other physician assistants, nurse practitioners and medical students as well as mentored high school students interested in the medical profession. She has been a medical volunteer overseas in Haiti, Guatemala, and Greece.

Life at home is spent with family-- hiking, exploring in nature, fishing, gardening and baking.

What is a Physician Associate?

Physician associates are highly trained healthcare professionals who work as a part of the medical team. PAs are trained under the medical model like doctors and are hired to work as an extension of a doctor under the doctor's delegation. They have existed in the U.S. since the mid 1960s and are currently working and being trialled all over the world.

PAs typically obtain medical histories, perform examinations and procedures, diagnose illnesses, prescribe medication, order and interpret diagnostic tests, refer patients to specialists as required, and first or second-assist in surgery.

Because New Zealand is in the early stages of registering PAs as a medical profession here, there will be limitations on their scope of practice. All PAs’ work at Health Te Aroha is checked and signed off by a GP.

I am originally from West Auckland, where I completed my Nurse Practitioner training at the end of 2018. I had 15 years of experience as a Registered Nurse prior to becoming a Nurse Practitioner and have also completed a certificate in Māori health in 2021. I have a special interest in older adults and palliative care. I also worked for many years in Oncology and Haematology, specialising in chemotherapy - this took me on travels throughout the world in my 20s. I moved to the Waikato with my husband for a lifestyle change 3 years ago and we enjoy looking after many animals including Highland Cows and Alpacas. I am excited to join the team and look forward to meeting everyone who attends our clinics.