Directors appointed to New Zealand’s Health Innovation Hub

MEDIA RELEASE

4 March 2013

Directors appointed to New Zealand’s Health Innovation Hub

Dr Andrew Wong, Managing Director of Auckland’s MercyAscot private hospital, and Sue Suckling, who recently became a Companion of the Royal Society of New Zealand for her work in science, have been appointed as directors of the recently established New Zealand Health Innovation Hub.

The appointments were announced today by chairman of the New Zealand Health Innovation Hub, Dr Murray Horn. The Health Innovation Hub was created to strengthen partnerships between the healthcare sector, industry and research organisations to develop new health technologies and service innovations.

The two new appointments will complement the team with Deputy Chairman Sir Ray Avery, who is well-known for his innovative work as a pharmaceutical scientist, inventor, and social entrepreneur, and fellow board member Keith Oliver, chairman of Medicine Mondiale Technologies, which manages a global network of scientific, clinical and business experts.

New board member Andrew Wong has extensive experience in many areas of health and is chairman of Endoscopy Auckland, Laparoscopy Auckland and Auckland Radiation Oncology Limited along with many other directorships in the health field.

Andrew is a qualified medical practitioner with a post grad Masters in Public Health, and a fellow of the Australasian Faculty of Public Health Medicine.

“Dr Wong has worked in both the private sector and in the public sector, as part of the management team at South Auckland Health, and has a wealth of medical and health experience that he will bring to the New Zealand Health Innovation Hub board,” said Dr Murray Horn, chairman of the New Zealand Health Innovation Hub.

Consultant and director Sue Suckling’s wide ranging skills have been rewarded with accolades, culminating in her OBE for contribution to New Zealand business in 1996. Sue has over 25 years’ experience in corporate governance and was appointed as a SKYCITY director in 2011.

“Sue has gained an exceptional profile and reputation throughout New Zealand's business community and we are very proud that she has been appointed as one of our directors,” said Dr Murray Horn, who is also chair of the National Health Board.

Sue is the chair of Callaghan Innovation, ECL Group, Barker Fruit Processors and NZQA and is a fellow of the New Zealand Institute of Directors.

“The Hub has been created to strengthen partnerships between our healthcare sector, industry and research organisations so we can fast-track the development of new health technologies and service innovations,” said Murray Horn, who is also chairman of the National Health Board.
For more information about the New Zealand Health Innovation Hub visit www.innovation.health.nz.
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Note to editors:

The New Zealand Health Innovation Hub was set up last year. It’s been established to help nurture and grow New Zealand’s health technology industry and to support the widespread adoption of leading innovations developed within the public health sector.
The Hub brings together health and industry innovators, streamlining progression from concept to prototype to clinical validation and commercial success.

The New Zealand Health Innovation Hub is a partnership between four of New Zealand’s biggest DHBs: Auckland, Canterbury, Counties Manukau and Waitemata. The Hub also has the backing of the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment, Auckland Tourism Events Economic Development and the Canterbury Development Corporation.

ENDS

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