Movers & Shakers: Autumn 2022

NEWS - eHealthNews.nz editor Rebecca McBeth

Richard Li
Richard Li is moving from his role as chief information officer at Bay of Plenty DHB to a position as CIO at the New Zealand Qualifications Authority.

Li says he has enjoyed working in BOP DHB for the last three years, driving the digital transformation and managing a passionate team dedicated to delivering quality services to the health system. Some of the key projects include; clinical portal, outpatient ePrescribing, lab eOrders, internal eReferrals, teleHealth video consult and Microsoft Modern workplace.

In addition, Li was the chair CIO for Te Manawa Taki region. He was also the CIO representative for the National Capability Uplift Portfolio Governance Group, national CIO representative for the PSe payroll group, lead CIO for the National Online Booking Capability and Care Pathways, and national CIO representative for the New Zealand Telehealth Forum.

Wendy Smith
Wendy Smith joined healthAlliance, the Northern region DHBs’ shared data and digital service, late last year as head of clinical informatics.

An experienced health leader and allied health clinician, Smith leads a team of specialist health informaticians working on data and digital projects across DHBs and community health settings to improve the safety and quality of patient care.

“I’m loving working with some super talented people who are passionate about improving health outcomes through the use of innovative technology,” she says.

“We are all about alleviating pressure on clinical teams so they can do what they do best.”

Smith has a physiotherapy background and previously worked at Mahitahi Hauora PHO in Northland.

Kirti Desai
Kirti Desai is ProCare’s new general manager digital, data and technology, joining the group’s executive leadership team.

Desai joins ProCare from a senior management role at Datacom where she supported customer IT infrastructure and digital solutions. Prior to that she was the chief digital and innovation officer at REINZ, chief growth officer at QV and head of business transformation at Paymark.

Bindi Norwell, chief executive at ProCare says: “Desai is a highly talented and passionate people leader, and she has extensive knowledge of utilising leading edge digital technology to provide seamless solutions for organisations and their members”.

Mika Joronen
Dedalus has announced the appointment of Mika Joronen to the position of Country Manager NZ.

MD Daryll Goodall says, “we continue to grow in the APAC region as we bring significant new solutions into market. We are also growing our global R&D team in New Zealand which is reflective of Dedalus’ commitment to NZ Health and the New Zealand Medications Management market”

Joronen is an experienced information technology leader, having spent 20+ years working in the industry in various client facing roles. He was previously country manager of Fujitsu New Zealand and spent nearly eight years in HP/HPE and later DXC as an account executive, head of government and country manager.


Jenni Falconer
Jenni Falconer has been appointed as chief executive of telehealth service Emergency Consult.

Falconer has been working in the New Zealand healthcare system for more than 30 years and co-founded Emergency Consult in 2020 with two colleagues.

"Falconer has been a driving force behind Emergency Consult since inception. She has vision, determination and a wonderful sense of humility. It is a most deserving appointment" said board chair Myles Whitcher.

The formalised governance structure heralds a new phase for the on-demand video consultation service, which has grown exponentially in the two years it has been operating.

“We have an amazing team of emergency physicians and nurses and it’s an exciting opportunity to lead them in delivering a service that can benefit so many kiwis - and our fellow healthcare professionals” says Falconer.

Alex Zacher
Alex Zacher has been appointed acting general manager of iMedX ANZ.

Zacher has 10 years’ experience in clinical documentation services and technology and until recently was sales and marketing director for ANZ, overseeing the regional growth and marketing strategy at iMedX.

He is a client-focused people leader who gains the most satisfaction from achieving and supporting the organisation's growth objectives.

“My expertise is identifying market opportunities that require technical solutions for customers and leading teams in procurement, scoping and delivery of these solutions,” he says.


Teri Thomas
Teri Thomas has been named chief executive at Volpara Health.

After 13 years at the helm, founder Ralph Highnam is transitioning from chief executive to the chief science and innovation officer.

Thomas is an American, based in NZ. She has a long history of executive management in the healthcare industry, ranging from strategy and operations to running global sales and marketing teams. This includes a successful 20-year career at Epic, a leading healthcare systems provider

Thomas is also a registered nurse with a Master of Science degree, which gives her a unique perspective on the intersection of IT, clinical workflow, and patient experience.

Peter Gregory
Peter Gregory has been appointed chief executive of PlatformPlus
Board chair, Lynette Pearks, says Gregory’s wide industry experience and achievements will be a continued asset to the business, sector and the Community Living Group, providing strong and strategic leadership in what is set to be a busy time ahead for the PlatformPlus and the sector.

“Following difficult times within the health sector, Gregory has led an extremely passionate team to deliver managed IT services, including IT strategy and execution, to a growing client base,” she says.

“Supporting clients predominately in the health sector including PHO’s, medical centres, allied health, disability providers, Māori health organisations and not for profits, the team have done well to pivot the business to continue supporting clients and end users while navigating the challenges with COVID.”

Matt Owen
Matt Owen has been appointed the new CEO at Mycare Ltd, effective March 1 2022.

Owen is a senior executive with over 20 years’ technology experience in New Zealand and overseas, with a strong, holistic background in software product and data & analytics within the public and private sectors.

Of Mycare he says “I’m excited to jump in and lead as the organisation continues to move away from being just a digital homecare business model into a global Platform as a Service organisation (PaaS), using our technology to connect people in need with communities of support around the world”.




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