Mobile Surgical Services
Support Team
The support team includes:
Stuart Gowland - Managing Director
Dr Gowland is the visionary behind the Mobile Surgical Services project. A Christchurch urologist and sometime member of the New Zealand Board of Surgery and Australasian Board of Urology, Dr Gowland was awarded the Queen’s Service Order in the New Year’s Honours list of 2000 for services to medical standards and rural health. He specialises in the combining of video communications with surgical care for rural patients and is pioneering telepresence in New Zealand. His objective is to access the best medical care available for patients here through the global collaboration of clinicians via telepresence.
Mark Eager – General Manager
Mark has a Nursing background, but has spent the last 10 years in a commercial environment managing a large distribution company. Mark manages the team at MSS, as well as the relationship with the Ministry of Health and many of the DHB’s throughout New Zealand.
Sue Wallace - Service Scheduler
Prior to joining MSS, Sue managed medical information at Canterbury District Health Board for 29 years, managing both the medical records and clinical coding for Christchurch Hospital. Sue has a Health Records Management Diploma and her medical knowledge and experience ensure that she is well equipped for her MSS role of coordinating surgical services with base hospitals.
Rachel Morris – Administration Assistant
Rachel has been involved in the health sector since completing Diploma courses in Human Resources and Marketing at Christchurch Polytechnic. She is responsible for all financial affairs, accounts and administration. Rachel is also the Service Scheduler for Mobile Medical Technologies mobile lithotripsy unit.
Michele Andrews – Data Retrieval and Analysis Nurse
Michele is a Registered Nurse and is responsible for conducting 30 days patient follow up questionnaires to all patients treated on the Surgical Bus. Michele manages stock supplies for the surgical bus, as well as general office administration.
Steve Smith – Rural Health Development Manager
Andrew Panckhurst – Marketing Manager
Gavin Hurring – Senior Driver
With 25 years professional driving experience, Gavin has developed a comprehensive knowledge of New Zealand roads. He is also responsible for deployment of the unit at each site, ensuring the onboard systems are able to support safe operating theatre practice.
Jim Wilson – Driver
With extensive experience driving trucks and coaches on both sides of the Tasman, Jimmy joined the MSS team in 2001. Since then he has supported Gavin in driving the ‘bus’ around the country on the five week circuit.
Dave Hopkins – IT Consultant
Born in England, Dave Hopkins has worked as a software developer in Europe and Australasia. He has been involved in designing software for the medical sector for many years, and is currently responsible for developing purpose built systems for Mobile Surgical Services.
Edwin Gin – IT Administrator