Ms Robin Steed, Chief Executive Officer
Training as a nurse in Northland and early work
experience in small district hospitals and communities was the genesis of a career long interest in rural health. A move to work with Health Waikato with responsibility for community based services and rural hospitals further matured interest and expertise in the field of rural health.
Robin's studies at the University of Waikato in the Masters of Business Administration programme provided the opportunity to examine the inter-relationships between health, business, social and political sectors and the impact these have on rural health in New Zealand.
Robin received valuable insight into rural health issues through networking at a national level on projects of professional development of the rural workforce, the health of rural populations, palliative care strategies and the cost of personal health services. It is this commitment and experience that she brings to the New Zealand Institute of Rural Health.
Dr George Tripe, Medical Advisor
Dr George Tripe has more 
than 30 years experience in general medicine and is a strong advocate for the needs of rural people. His background here, and in Australia, provides him with the broad-based knowledge and experience necessary to deal effectively with diverse organisations and situations.
Mr Glen Willoughby, Business Development Manager
Mr Willoughby has eighteen years experience in information technolog
y executive management position having worked in the Dairy, Health and Education sectors. He has an MBA from Waikato University, Bachelor of Information Technology form Waikato Institute of Technology, a certified Project Management Professional from the Project Management Institute.
Mrs Gytha Lancaster, Nurse Advisor
Gytha trained as a registered general nurse in Great Britain and immigrated
to New Zealand in 1997. She has worked in various clinical settings the majority being in primary care as either a practice nurse or public health nurse. Gytha has also had experience as a part time lecturer for WINTEC facilitating an undergraduate community nursing paper. She has a passion for rural health and her public health nurse roles were based in the King Country and Waipa District where she worked with rural communities. Gytha completed her undergraduate nursing degree in 2004, completed a Diploma in Advanced Nursing (Primary Rural) and completed her Masters degree in 2009.
Mrs Lorna Gribble, Health Careers Advisor
Lorna Gribble was born and raised in the King Country and still has strong links to the area. With her husband they farmed a small holding near Hamilton for 20 years. Lorna has been an active member of the schools in her community serving time on committees, PTA and Board of Trustees.
Lorna trained as a Medical Laboratory Scientist; working in all departments of the Waikato Hospital Laboratory. In the last 9 years she was a department manager. In this role she developed strong links with all departments of the Waikato Hospital.
Last Updated 8 March 2010