Our People

Meet the people of Te Whatu Ora Lakes

We're proud of the people who work at Te Whatu Ora Lakes and we'd like for you to meet some of them.

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Dr Fredo Lainis - Physician

"I am from Malaysia, but I trained in Ireland and worked there for almost five years before coming to New Zealand.

“I have worked in the Bay of Plenty, Auckland, Northland and Lakes regions before choosing to take a job with Lakes.

"I was attracted to Lakes by the amazing collegial colleagues and people, with a pleasant environment to work in, and there’s a good work-life balance."

“I work one week in Taupō in the Inpatient Unit and one week at Rotorua Hospital in the Medical Unit."

"I enjoy good food, nature, and outdoor activities, and Rotorua is undoubtedly a unique place to enjoy and maintain my work-life balance."

Anthony Jenkins - Health Care Assistant and Student Nurse

“I was working in a café and I wanted a change of pace. I was recommended by one of my friends who was going into nursing the following year, and she thought it would be a good next step in a career that is people focused.

"I think I had worked a few HCA shifts and I had made my mind up that I wanted to do more to become an HCA. I enjoy working with people.

“I applied to be a casual and ended up getting a full-time job in the Emergency Department. I worked there for my first two years as a student nurse and now I am an agency HCA. I try to work weekends to fit around my studies.

“Being an HCA is a good career step if you want to go into a medical role but you’re not sure where to go. It gives you a good base, such as basic cares.

“You don’t need to have any qualifications to be an HCA but you can learn as you go. I started to do this but then went into nursing.

“I’m now in my final year of nursing studies and looking forward to working as a registered nurse. I’m so glad my friend suggested I try being an HAC, it’s led to a new career for me.”

Claudine Kaiwai (Ngāti Porou, Tuhoe), Administration Support (Maternity)

Claudine Kaiwai stands in front of the reception desk in the Rotorua Hospital antenatal clinic reception

“I like the connection with the people, that’s my biggest passion. I help pregnant women with their appointments in our antenatal clinic.

“I want our patients to get the best care so my goal is to enable them to trust us; I want them to be able to come in unafraid.

“I love my job. I know it’s hard to someone in to the service so I go out of my way to call everyone I can – sometimes that means asking the Te Aka Matua service to help out.

“I’ve been in admin most of my adult life, I did this same role in Perth for eight years and when I returned to Rotorua I wanted to do the same.

“I started off in the Maori Health team, which opened my eyes to the wider health system. When this role came up I saw it as my opportunity to help pregnant mama.

“I was born in Palmerston North but my dad, Hori Kaiawai, was a teacher at Rotorua Boys’ High School and I lived in Rotorua for about eight years before going overseas. It’s home.”

Donna Warren, Rotorua Hospital Outpatients Administrator

"More than 300 patients a day can come through the Rotorua Hospital Outpatients’ clinics.

"We’re more than just receptionists checking them in for their appointment. The face-to-face contact with patients and seeing familiar faces makes my job more enjoyable.

"Supporting patients on their health journey is a very important part of my job. Empathy, kindness and listening to our patients, helps make their day better.

“Part of our job is to scan in the clinical notes for the next days’ clinics, ensure a patients’ demographics are all current, type up clinical outcomes and research other information for patients.

"No two days are the same. You have to be prepared for the unexpected to happen and to be able to change tasks at a drop of the hat.

“I have worked at the hospital for four and a half years and have always been in admin roles.

Meet Tim Ryan, Clinical Nurse Specialist (Diabetes)

Tim Ryan stands against a white wall. He is in civilian clothes.

“Before I was a nurse I completed a woodturning apprenticeship but I decided I wanted something a bit different to nine hours a day in a dusty and noisy factory.

“It was a toss-up between nursing and social work but I got into nursing school and have stuck with it ever since.

“Nursing gives you variety, there are so many different avenues, and it’s a great job.

“I’ve worked in mental health, ICU, as a duty manager, in primary health and with a Māori health provider.

“I really like my current role.

“It’s a mix of working with patients and staff. I see pregnant women with gestational diabetes, talk to staff about best management and even get to visit schools where there is a newly diagnosed Type 1 student to help the teachers.

"I don't know why there aren't more men in nursing. It's really fun."