Staff Profiles
Lindsay Lowe
Lindsay is our new Rheumatic Fever Co-ordinator based in Tauranga. The position was established to co-ordinate several initiatives aimed to address the high incidence and burden of morbidity from rheumatic fever across the Bay of Plenty.
"I arrived in NZ on an OE in 1986, and my first job was diving at Goat Island marine reserve, where I met my husband Tim. We have been married 22 years and have two children, Ben 14yrs, and Rowan 12yrs.
My hobbies are mostly water based - swimming, snorkelling, boogie boarding and boating. I also enjoy travelling and spending time with my family.
My background is nursing and I switched focus to public health in 2000. I have worked in various nursing and health promotion roles in public health units in Nelson, Hamilton and now BOP! My interests include housing and health, refugee health, and rheumatic fever. In 2002 I obtained my masters in public health.
In terms of my new job at Toi Te Ora, it presents a real opportunity to reduce health inequalities and improve health outcomes, both in terms of reducing the number of new cases of rheumatic fever and improving existing services. I am also enjoying the friendly atmosphere at Toi Te Ora, the flexible hours and travelling around the wider Bay of Plenty region."
Carmen O'Meeghan
Carmen is a Health Promoter in the Social Environments Team. She joined Toi Te Ora - Public Health Service in November 2005 initially on a six month contract, although this evolved into full time employment following the birth of her son Jordyn in 2006.
“Over the last 15 months, my role as Health Promoter has enabled me to complete an internship in fulfilment of a Postgraduate Diploma in Psychology (Community) qualification from the University of Waikato. This qualification follows five years worth of additional full time study, which has included completing an Undergraduate degree, plus an Honours and Masters degree. Finally it has paid off – I am now a Registered Psychologist with the NZ Psychologists Board.”
“For those of you wondering what Community Psychology is, it is about working with individuals, groups, and communities to prevent social problems and improve the quality of people’s lives. We specialise in social innovation and intervention/programme development, management, and evaluation. So, as you may see, community psychology fits health promotion quite well. It’s all about prevention.”
“Completing the internship at Toi Te Ora has been a great experience, although managing family, plus work, plus academic study has been difficult at times. Thanks to those at Toi Te Ora who made the internship possible, and supported me along the way.”
“By the way, I do have other interests besides work, family, and study. I really enjoy…….. Umm ….. I’ve forgotten. It’s been that long since I had a life!“
