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A heart set on a healthier future for Māori

When Nicola Stanton (Ngā Rauru) heard she was to receive a $10,000 scholarship to support her health studies it was “massive” for the Taranaki-based student who has her heart set on changing health outcomes for Māori.Nicola is one of three Braemar Charitable Trust 2024 Health Scholarship recipients and financing her way through a degree in health at the University of Waikato was never going to be easy.Where there’s a passion, there is a way. Tertiary education is a theme in the Waitara-b...

New health partnership to help Waikato Pacific people

Braemar Charitable Trust and K’aute Pasifika Trust have signed an agreement to help deliver better health outcomes for Pacific people in the Waikato. The trusts, who share a vision to improve health and wellbeing, signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on Friday 29 November at the K’aute Pasifika Village in Kirikiriroa Hamilton. The agreement formalises a commitment to create better access for Pacific people to health services, particularly those who have unmet surgical needs.&...

Free surgery days change the lives of 71 Waikato people

Braemar Charitable Trust has enabled 71 people to receive life changing procedures over two free community surgery days at Braemar Hospital during November.The 71 procedures boosted the total amount of people assisted through the Trust’s Community Surgery Programme from 1 April 2024 to 111.  This is a record number for the Trust who have been working to improve health outcomes in the community for over 50 years.The two free surgery Saturdays during November were a dream come true for Brae...

Trust launches online store with a difference

Shopping for life-changing surgery is now possible thanks to a new online donation portal launched by Braemar Charitable Trust.The Waikato-based Trust owns Braemar Hospital and works to advance healthcare equity and access, and helps to boost healthcare outcomes for the people of the Waikato rohe.The Trust invests dividends from the Hospital and is supported by many of the credentialed specialists and anaesthetists who work there, but donations elevate the impact of the work the Trust does says ...

First free surgery day changes 50 people’s lives in the Waikato

Relief and being able to get on with their lives was a common theme for the 50 people who received free procedures in Hamilton on Saturday 9 November, the first in a series of two Braemar Charitable Trust free community surgery days.Hamilton’s Braemar Hospital seemed busier than usual on Saturday with two mobile dental units in the car park, volunteers supporting patients and a steady stream of people over the day. Included in the 50 procedures were 29 surgeries, 7 echo cardiograms and 14 dent...

The health scholarship that helped Saya make a difference for Māori

A health scholarship has been a pivotal experience for Saya Karauna (Ngāti Porou, Ngāti Kahungunu), inspiring her to make a difference for Māori in rural communities through the health system.Saya is a Braemar Charitable Trust Health Scholarship recipient in her third year studying a Bachelor of Health at the University of Waikato. She says she chose to study health because, “Māori are underrepresented in health. Being both Māori and Pākehā, I have seen both sides of the health system i...

Kate is kicking high after free surgery

People have no idea, says Kate Le Papillon how a small operation can make such a big difference to a person’s life. Having free surgery through Braemar Charitable Trust has meant Kate can live without excruciating pain.Some people do less when in pain, but not Kate Le Papillon. Best described as a pocket rocket, Kate cares for her partner, a tetraplegic, supports her ageing mother, competes in Taekwondo tournaments and operates a garden maintenance business from her home in Kirikiriroa Hamilto...

Free surgeries for dozens of Waikato people in November thanks to Braemar Charitable Trust

Braemar Charitable Trust will provide free surgeries for up to 70 people in November as part of its long-running Community Surgery Programme.The Trust owns Hamilton’s Braemar Hospital, and with donated time from surgeons and anaesthetists, funds free community surgeries for people in need. For the first time, Braemar Hospital will open theatres on Saturdays specifically for these free community surgeries. On Saturday 9 or Saturday 23 November, dozens of adults and children needing minor surger...

How Rose beat the surgical waitlist to find freedom

Rose* had struggled with severe back pain and anguish since she was 13 years old. After being turned down for life-changing breast reduction surgery, the 25-year-old felt she was out of options. But her life took an unexpected turn when a Tokoroa-based community agency connected her with Braemar Charitable Trust. Eight months later, Rose’s surgery was fast-tracked for free. Rose’s everyday life was dominated by back pain, difficulty breathing and sleeping, and having to wear a special b...

Braemar Hospital a case study for innovators

Braemar Hospital went under the x-ray vision of 20 leading CEOs and executive leaders from across Aotearoa New Zealand at the renowned Institute for Strategic Leadership Programme in Queenstown.Chief Executive of Braemar Hospital, Fiona Michel says the chance to be a real-world case study for a multi-disciplined group of leaders to analyse and apply their strategic thinking was an opportunity not to pass by.Fiona attended two days of the week-long Strategic Leadership Programme with Braemar Char...

Braemar Hospital CEO Fiona Michel speaks at Waikato Chamber of Commerce Inspire event

This week Fiona Michel, CEO Braemar Hospital Hospital, spoke at the Waikato Chamber of Commerce Inspire Event on Visionary Leadership: Inspiring Successful Organisations.The CEO Panel Discussion highlighted the valuable lessons learned from successful failures that shaped the journey of leaders. Joining Fiona Michel, was Gallaghers Lisbeth Jacobs, and Jon Calder CEO of Tomkins Wake.For those unable to attend the event, below are some great takeaways from the event:- You can get on the train of c...

Congratulations Braemar Hospital Director, Bella Takiari- Brame

The Braemar Charitable Trust would like to congratulate Bella Takiari-Brame, Independent Director on the Braemar Hospital Board, for being a recipient of The University of Waikato Distinguished Alumni Awards.As 100% shareholder of Braemar Hospital, the Braemar Charitable Trust appoints the Braemar Hospital Board and Bella was appointed in April 2020.Bella Takiari-Brame is passionate about her culture, community and creating solutions that make a difference for the vulnerable.With a strong backgr...

Trust Manager presents at the Charity Law Association of Australia and New Zealand Conference

Last week Paula Baker, Trust Manager Braemar Charitable Trust attended the Charity Law Association of Australia and New Zealand (CLAANZ) Annual Conference on Global Issues Facing Charities held in Wellington on 4th and 5th July. Paula was lucky enough to be awarded the CLAANZ Interdisciplinary Dialogue Presentation Grant and presented a paper on the Increasing Professionalisation of the Charitable Sector and it’s Implications. The Association’s aim is to provide a forum for professionals, ac...

Braemar Medical Associate provides anaesthesia support for NZ surgical team in bringing complex laparoscopic surgical care to patients in Tonga

We are delighted to see that Robert Martynoga is doing what he does best and helping bring care to people in need. As a guest of the Tongan Ministry of Health and the Pasifica Medical Association Robert is providing anaesthesia support to a New Zealand surgical team. Here is a link to Robert's work: www.linkedin.com/posts/robert-martynoga-37151993_healthcareforall-tonga-activity-7213752892661407745-8dAd/?utm_source=share&utm_medium=member_iosRobert is a Braemar Hospital credentialed ana...

Applications Open for Braemar Charitable Trust funded place on the 2025 CELF Leadership Programme

The Braemar Charitable Trust have funded a place on the 2025 CELF Elevate Leadership programme for a “for purpose” leader/aspiring leader in a community-based organisation that has a strong focus on improving health outcomes. We are particularly interested in funding a place for a leader/aspiring leader from a smaller organisation who may not have the funding to pay for a programme place, but who can make a significant impact at a grassroots level.The leader/aspiring leader should work in th...

Celebrating Braemar Medical Associate Askar Kukkady's life-changing work in Samoa

Waikato Surgeon Askar Kukkady Continues to Change Lives in the Pacific. Twenty years ago, Askar Kukkady led the successful separation of conjoined twins. Today, he continues to make a profound impact, serving communities in the Pacific. As a Medical Associate at Braemar, Askar exemplifies the values we hold dear. We're proud to see his dedication to transforming lives, both here and abroad. The Braemar Charitable Trust is committed to improving health outcomes in the Waikato region through vario...

Ngā Mahi O Matariki, Te Tau Hou Māori

Matariki is a star cluster that appears in the early morning sky in New Zealand during the mid-winter months. It is known as the Māori New Year.✨The star cluster is one of the brightest clusters in the sky, containing hundreds of member stars.Mātauranga Māori (ancestral knowledge and wisdom) is at the heart of celebrations of the Matariki public holiday and it will be a time for;🔹 Remembrance – Honouring those we have lost since the last rising of Matariki🔹 Celebrating the present �...

She’s got her life back – surgery recipient grateful for assistance through the Braemar Community Surgery Programme

When Andrea Jones says the Braemar Charitable Trust gave her her life back, she means it.Andrea been in pain for years, had been on the hospital surgery waiting list for years, and on occasions hospitalised with her pain. That pain was dragging her down, mentally and physically.Andrea, who works as an office manager, had gone from being a very social person to someone who seldom went out – too risky in her condition – and her energy levels plummeted.“I used to think nothing of walking 10 k...

Thank you to all the wonderful volunteers in our community

This National Volunteer Week we would like to acknowledge the wonderful contribution volunteers make in our community-thank you for the significant positive impact you are having across some many sectors in our community. In particular, we would like to make a very special shout out and thank all of the fantastic volunteer surgeons and anaesthetists who so willingly provide free quality of life enhancing surgeries to people in our community, as part of the Braemar Community Surgery Progamme.&nbs...

Surgeons receive international recognition for Braemar-funded oncology study

Last year the Braemar Charitable funded research through its Memorandum of Understanding with the Waikato Medical Research Foundation that focused on "Outcomes following cytoreductive surgery (CRS) and hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy (HIPEC) for appendiceal pseudomyxoma and colorectal peritoneal carcinomatosis at Te Whatu Ora Waikato and Braemar Hospital. Assessing the outcomes following CRS and HIPEC treatment and factors predictive of perioperative morbidity and long-term survival wi...

Helping Waikato children one mouth at a time

Paediatric dentist Katie Ayers has been working with Braemar Charitable Trust for more than a decade. She works in specialist private practice in Hamilton, and through the Trust she gives her time and expertise to carry out free dental treatments to children in need – children who for whatever reason cannot readily access the public sector and who require urgent treatment.Braemar Charitable Trust is the 100% owner of Braemar Hospital, one of New Zealand’s largest private hospitals. The Trust...

Trustee Alan Goodey facilitates the Pacific Anaesthetic Assistants course in Fiji

Braemar Charitable Trust Medical Trustee and Anaesthetist Alan Goodey, has just completed facilitating the third Pacific Anaesthetic Assistants course in Fiji. Raj Chand, the Head Anaesthetic Technician at Braemar Hospital accompanied and Alan and also assisted with this training. Alan said "The Anaesthetic Technicians in Fiji have no formal training, but a lot of responsibility. Raj is in this photo teaching the Anaesthetic Technicians how to check the Anaesthetic "Machine correctly in Lab...

On a path to addressing health inequities thanks to health scholarship

Saya Karauna is on a mission to improve health outcomes, particularly for Māori. She is studying for a Bachelor of Health at the University of Waikato, majoring in Population Health. Last year Saya successfully applied for a Braemar Charitable Trust Scholarship, awarded to students who are studying either Health or Nursing at the University of Waikato and are planning to stay in the region after graduation.While Saya welcomed the money the scholarship brings, it also allowed her to do a month�...

Surgeon and Trustee works across the sector

Surgeon Jasen Ly spends most of his working days at Waikato Hospital, but he also uses his expertise in the private sector, as a surgeon and as a medical trustee on the Braemar Charitable Trust. Jasen became a trustee in 2022 following a gentle nudge from a former mentor, now colleague.“I didn’t need much persuading because I was already working at Braemar and I admired the work the Trust was doing.  As a trustee it’s not just about deciding what to do with the money – and ther...

Congratulations to Mya Murray recipient of a Braemar Charitable Trust Bachelor of Nursing Scholarship

The Braemar Charitable Trust has great pleasure in announcing the final recipient of a University of Waikato Braemar Charitable Trust Scholarship for 2024. Mya Murray from Tokoroa, is currently in her second year of studying a Bachelor of Nursing degree at the University of Waikato. Mya described her passion for working in the health sector and in particular for wanting to pursue a career in Nursing, "comes from seeing the repercussions an inequitable healthcare system has on Whānau a...