Conference Speakers - More Bios published soon

Phyllis hails from Ngati Pikiao, Ngati Ranginui and Ngati Awa.  Born in Whakatane raised in Te Teko, Rotoiti, Rotorua (Bay of Plenty New Zealand).  

Phyllis started her career in education and moved into the health sector in 1989.  She has worked in project management, general management (including operational management of services and teams) in Mental Health and Addictions and Māori Health over the past 35 years. 

Phyllis has had the privilege of working locally regionally and nationally,  a Ministerial Appointment to the Mental Health Review Tribunal of New Zealand and a participant in several national initiatives in health. Phyllis currently works with Ka Puta Ka Ora Emerge Aotearoa leading their aspiration to be a Tangata Tiriti organisation, Maori Health, and Equity. 

Phyllis is partner to Wi, mum to Huia, Te Kahu o te Rangi, Tahangawari, and Tamihana, Nan to nine mokopuna and recently Great nana to Hohepa.

 Kaushi Ambepitiya is a senior audiologist and Clinic Manager at Dilworth Hearing in Epsom. He has worked primarily in the private audiology sector in Auckland for the last 10 years and completed a Master of Biomedical Science and Master of Audiology at the University of Auckland.  His extensive research and clinical experience have seen him develop a passion for a wide range of clinical diagnostic and rehabilitative audiology services. Kaushi also has a strong interest in research of noise induced hearing loss and the preservation of hearing health within the community.

Vision and Workplace: visual impairment and causes & effects on daily life and work. Vision screening within the workplace

Deborah Taylor CRFS (Respiratory Scientist), was employed as the Charge Respiratory Physiologist for the Hawke’s Bay Hospital for 22 years. Deborah has had extensive experience in teaching and training community-based spirometry throughout New Zealand for 15 years. Deborah was part of a working group that published a position paper in Respirology February 2021 “Assessing Spirometry Competence for Community Based Spirometry in Australia and New Zealand”.

Abstract

Conducting spirometry in community settings can be both intimidating and complex, with the results often appearing enigmatic. When performed within the Occupational Health environment, spirometry presents its own unique challenges. This session aims to demystify the process of obtaining high-quality spirometry results and interpreting the data accurately. We will cover essential tools and techniques that are indispensable, and emphasize the importance of achieving spirometry competency certification.

Presentation on the effect of workplace Human factors and ergonomics in today’s world including case study, model of practice and tools for manual handling with a Holistic approach e.g. obesity and manual handling research

Bio “As leader of ergonomics and human factors studies at the Health & Rehabilitation Research Institute at AUT, Professor Boocock is passionate about ergonomics and wants to expand people’s understanding of the role it plays. This extends beyond the micro view of an office desk and chair, and into the wider working environment”

Mark will present https://academics.aut.ac.nz/mark.boocock

Bio: Miriska is a passionate and highly experienced Health and Safety leader with a strategic, forward-thinking mindset. She holds a Master’s Degree in Occupational Hygiene, and is only one of a few Certified Occupational Hygienists (COH®) in New Zealand. She currently leads the National Programme for Hazardous Substances and Occupational Hygiene at Health New Zealand | Te Whatu Ora (with an estimated 100,000 employees, making them the largest employer in New Zealand). Miriska serves on various governance boards such as HASANZ, WISE, and is the current president of NZOHS. She is known for her passion, inspiration and influence in the industry and has received several awards and scholarships in recognition. Miriska is constantly working towards improving and maintaining good worker health. She actively participates in providing training, education and awareness to anyone willing to listen.

 Session Title: Working in true partnership to improve worker health

 Abstract: Occupational health risk management is strongest when disciplines connect, not just in purpose and on paper, but in practice. In line with this year’s theme Hono Mai, Hono Atu: Connecting Generations in Occupational Health, this presentation challenges the traditional siloed approach and explores how occupational health nurses and occupational hygienists can work more effectively together to prevent harm and create healthier workplaces. Occupational hygiene plays a vital, yet often invisible, role in protecting worker health. It focuses on the anticipation, recognition, evaluation, and control of exposure risks before illness or injury occurs. This session will take a moment to break down each of these steps and explore what they truly mean in real-world settings, beyond the textbook using practical examples. This will support occupational health nurses in recognising how their skills align with, and can actively enhance, each part of the process. By bringing our complementary strengths together, we can move beyond reactive measures and create a truly proactive approach to preventing harm. This session invites reflection, connection, collaboration, and action so we can move from working in parallel to working in true partnership.

 Diane Ah-Chan is a specialist in contemporary health, safety, and wellbeing, with a background in organisational psychology, psychosocial risk management, and systems transformation. She co-founded NextEra to challenge outdated HSW paradigms and help organisations design BetterWork - where mental health, safety,  productivity, and culture are not competing priorities, but integrated outcomes of how work is done. Diane brings a systems approach to innovating to help workers and workplaces thrive which meets the needs of the future work. 

Dr Alexandra Muthu is a New Zealand trained Occupational & Environmental Physician
passionate about improving healthcare worker wellbeing. Her expertise is not only academic, clinical and regulatory – but also personal, having experienced burnout and toxic workplaces herself. Her research and professional interests include holistic worker wellbeing, organisational wellbeing, neurodiversity, and menopause at work. Alexandra is a connector and problem solver, with extensive experience advising and supporting leaders, teams and individuals across different industries.
 
She is an elected member of the Medical Council of New Zealand, and sits on the Health
Committee. At Health New Zealand, Alexandra is Clinical Director Occupational Health &
Wellbeing Waitemata and interim National Clinical Lead Occupational Health. She provides
advisory and clinical services through Dynamic Health, is a Doctors Health Aotearoa Trustee, and Chairs the RACP Safety, Health & Wellbeing of Healthcare Workers Working Group.
 
Dr Muthu holds qualifications in occupational medicine, public health, medical administration, addiction medicine, organisational wellbeing, impairment assessment, vocational rehabilitation, and aviation medicine. She is a Chartered Member of the Institute of Directors, Fellow of the Royal Australasian College of Physicians (Faculty of Occupational and Environmental Medicine), Associate Fellow of the Royal Australasian College of Medical Administrators, and Stanford Chief Wellness Officer course alumni.
 
Dr Muthu has had a diverse career in healthcare and industry including Principal Medical Advisor to Rio Tinto and Exxon Mobil, National Telehealth Service Clinical Director, Air New Zealand Physician, Mayo Clinic USA researcher, RACP Australasian Faculty of Occupational and Environmental Medicine (AFOEM) Councillor, Aotearoa NZ AFOEM Chair, Faculty Education Committee, Medical Assurance Society elected Board Member, Masters paper co-ordinator, and NZ Dust Diseases Taskforce co-Chair.

Leveraging Technology for Occupational Health Excellence: Insights from over a decade of Healthcare Innovation

Murray's journey from mathematics educator to healthcare technology pioneer exemplifies how diverse expertise can drive meaningful innovation in occupational health. With a Bachelor of Science in Mathematics from the University of Otago and extensive experience in IT and business consulting

The establishment of Erudite Software Ltd marked Murray's focused commitment to healthcare technology innovation. Erudite has emerged as a specialised software development company creating comprehensive solutions for the health and safety market, with expertise in occupational health and wellbeing systems.

The company's flagship achievements include developing sophisticated safety systems now utilised by major corporate and government organisations including a  Clinical Health Management System for Occupational Health providers.