10 Sep 2024Ka Ora Telecare (an after-hours medical service that enables people living in rural areas to connect with a healthcare professional via phone or video consult) has announced Jeremy Mihaka-Dyer as its new Chairman of the Board. His term starts 1 October 2024.
Mr Mihaka-Dyer says he is excited about the prospect of contributing to improved healthcare access for rural communities, “I’ve dedicated much of my career to developing and guiding strategy for public health and social impact (including government, Iwi, private and philanthropic organisations) – so Chair Ka Ora provides another great opportunity to tackle health access and equity.”
Mihaka-Dyer not only brings governance experience but also deep health sector expertise to the role. He has pragmatic commercial experience in health tech - and has spent the past two decades in executive leadership and consultancy roles that have shaped health and whanau-facing care in Aotearoa.
Ka Ora’s Director, Ms Jenni Falconer, says the appointment signals a new era for the government-funded service.
“We’re thrilled to be welcoming Jeremy to the role of Board Chair,” says Falconer, “While the service is still relatively new, it has great potential to make a difference to the wellbeing of our rural communities. We’ve ironed out many of the kinks that come with delivering a new service and now we’re looking forward to a period of rapid growth where we can help more rural people and assist more rural health providers.”
The service comprises nurses working at the top of their scope, experienced kaiāwhina, specialist general practitioners (SGP) and specialist emergency physicians (FACEM), all working collaboratively to deliver medical care to those living rurally in Aotearoa where many general practice providers are at full capacity.
“This is an opportunity to lead the governance of a service that will have a real impact. It’s tackling health equity head on by making sure our rural communities are able to access same-day medical appointments every day of the year,” said Mihaka-Dyer.
Mihaka-Dyer’s governance experience is varied and includes positions with the Rotorua Chamber of Commerce, Primary Health Organisations of New Zealand, and Pathways New Zealand (one of the largest mental health and wellbeing organisations in the country).
He was the founding Chair of Pihanga Health Limited, is a Trustee for Sport Bay of Plenty, and serves on the Boards of the New Zealand Law Society as part of their Waikato Bay of Plenty Standards Committee, and Fire and Emergency New Zealand.