New Chairman for NZMA

NZMA media release -- New Chairman for NZMA

Napier GP Dr Peter Foley will be the new Chairman of the New Zealand Medical Association. He takes up this position, for a two year term, from 1 May 2007. He was elected unopposed, following a call for nominations.

Dr Foley has chaired the NZMA’s GP Council for four years, and has been a Board member for four years. Last year, as inaugural Chair of the GP Leaders’ Forum, he was at the forefront of the General Practice effort to seek meaningful engagement with the Government and its agencies during the debate over General Practice fees during the process of implementing the 45-64 year capitation increases. In December he was awarded the NZMA’s highest honour, the Chairman’s Award.

Dr Foley has had a keen interest in achieving unity in the general practice sector. "As NZMA Chair I will be similarly keen to achieve an enhanced sector unity and strength across specialist (public and private), general practice, and doctors-in-training doctors. I also have a keen interest in a strong and supported medical profession working with other health colleagues to reduce health inequalities and further improve the health of our nation."

He looks forward to the challenge of representing all NZMA members, along with the GPs he has represented for the last four years.

Hailing from a medical family, Dr Foley graduated in medicine from Otago University in 1981. He has practised in Hawkes Bay since 1985.

He will take over when current Chairman Dr Ross Boswell ends his term.

Also elected unopposed are:

NZMA Deputy Chair: Auckland pathologist Paul Ockelford

NZMA Board members:
Sue Hayde (Dunedin gynaecologist)
Andrew Old (Auckland public health medicine registrar, currently Chair of the NZMA’s Doctors-in-Training Council).

ENDS

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