The Board is very pleased to announce that we have recruited Damon Newrick and Maarama Davis as our two new Professional Advisors. Damon and Maarama will share the role previously filled by Cheryl Hefford and will be joining our other Professional Advisor Jon Warren. We were very fortunate to be able to choose them from a range of exceptional applicants.
Damon comes to us with over 20 years’ experience of working as a physiotherapist within sports and musculoskeletal services in London and in Wellington.
Originally from Upper Hutt, he graduated from the University of Otago in 1998 and began working in private practice and professional rugby, as well as volunteering as a part-time ambulance officer.
In 2004 he moved to London, initially working for the Ministry of Defence, before moving back into private practice.
In 2016 he graduated from the University of Bath with a Masters in Sports Physiotherapy with Distinction. He then joined the teaching faculty as a part time Professional Development Advisor.
Damon is keen to get started working with the team at the Board to contribute to maintaining and improving the standards of physiotherapy in New Zealand. He says the profession should always be aiming for excellence. “I see being a physiotherapist as a privilege and feel we should be maintaining the highest standards possible. New Zealand trained physiotherapists have a great reputation in the UK and I’m keen to be part of the team that makes sure that reputation continues to be deserved both in NZ and across the world”.
Maarama will already be known to many physiotherapists as a Board member. She has extensive clinical and governance experience and, having been a board member, has a superb overview of the profession and the of the Board’s role.
Maarama is actively engaged across the profession including being a member of Tae Ora Tinana since 2005 and is a Kaitiaki of the profession.
A University of Otago graduate, Maarama has practised for more than two decades with a strong focus on private practice. She’s a sportswoman and a strong advocate for both Physiotherapy and Māori health. She says that working as a professional advisor is a continuation of her commitment to the profession and its future. “The professional advisor role is an important function in advancing the profession and maintaining professional standards.”
Maarama is passionate about making sure physiotherapy is accessible to Māori and has been a strong advocate for Māoritanga in the profession both to improve Māori health outcomes and to ensure a kaupapa that recognises our bicultural nationhood. We have previously featured Maarama as a leader in Physiotherapy. You can watch that below.
https://www.facebook.com/physioboard/videos/985147194996141/