Our Staff.

Great staff make for a great experience for you and ultimately better health because you get the service and the treatment you need. We have doctors, nurses, a physiotherapist, a dietitian and a fantastic admin and support team too.

Our Doctors

Dr Eve Fitzgerald

MBChB

Dr Miriam Martin

MBChB, DCH, DipObst, DipCEM, MBA

Dr Isobel Platt

MBChB

Learn more

Eve grew up in Christchurch and graduated from University of Otago School of Medicine in 2012. Working for a number of years at Christchurch hospital, Eve transitioned to General Practice after the birth of her twins and has been at Village Health since 2018. Eve enjoys all aspects of General Practice, and is experienced in IUCD/implant insertion and minor surgery. Outside of work, Eve is a busy Mum to 3 children under 5, and enjoys spending time with family exploring Christchurch, travel, and a nice glass of wine.

Eve is not currently accepting new patients.

Learn More

Miriam is the managing director of Village Health and has a vast experience in Emergency Medicine and managing businesses. Miriam has a special interest in Urgent Care, Paediatrics (especially teenagers) and Women’s Health. Miriam really encourages all her patients to consider their lifestyle as a strong driver of their health, that is: diet, exercise and sleep and reducing smoking and alcohol. Being a mum herself and married to a youth worker, she really enjoys looking after babies, children and teenagers. You will no doubt see her if you book into an acute clinic and is available for “girlie” concerns if you are not comfortable with your normal doctor.

Miriam is not currently accepting new patients.

Learn More

Isobel graduated from Sheffield University in 2012 and completed GP training in 2017 in the UK.

She is enjoying exploring New Zealand and getting outdoors whenever possible. Isobel enjoys most outdoors activities including running, biking, tramping and swimming.

Isobel has experience in psychiatry, elderly medicine, obstetrics and gynaecology, palliative care and oncology giving her a wide range of experience to use in general practice.

Isobel is not currently accepting new patients.

Dr Janine Close

MBChB (Otago), DipObst, FRNZCGP

Dr Janine Searle

BSc, MBChB (Auckland), Dip Paeds, FRNZCGP

Dr Ibrahim Al-Busaidi

MBChB (Otago), BMedSc(Hons)

Learn More

Janine is a very experienced GP who is particular about detail, and works hard to ensure nothing is missed. It is great to walk life’s journey with a wide variety of interesting and wonderful people and navigate the health challenges that arise.

When not at Village Health she is working as a clinical editor writing expert GP advice for the Canterbury District Health Board’s online resources.

Janine not currently accepting new patients.

Learn More

Learn more

Ibrahim has been working as a doctor in the Christchurch area since he graduated from Otago Medical School in 2016.

He gained a broad range of experience in hospital-based medicine before starting a family and commencing his community medicine career. He enjoys the variety and continuity of care of family medicine.

He has a special clinical and research interest in diabetes and chronic cardiovascular problems.

When not at the medical centre, Ibrahim is involved in general practice research and medical student teaching at the Christchurch School of Medicine.

Ibrahim is not currently accepting new patients.

Dr Jinhee Ahn

MBChB (Otago), Dip. Child Health

Dr Joan Leighton

MBChB (Otago), FRNZCGP

Dr Nicole Anderson

MBChB, FRNZCGP, Dip Obs, DipTravMed, Dip Int Health

Learn more

Jinhee was born in South Korea and moved with her family to Christchurch at a young age. She graduated from medical school at the University of Otago and has experience in a wide variety of specialties including paediatrics, completing a postgraduate Diploma in Child Health during her time working at Christchurch Hospital. Jinhee enjoys the variety of General Practice and being able to work alongside patients throughout their health journey. In her spare time she loves travelling, both within New Zealand and overseas.

Jinhee is currently enrolling new patients.

Learn more

Joan is an experienced GP having worked part time in Christchurch for many years. She enjoys all aspects of General Practice and has a special interest in heart disease.

She finds building a relationship with patients and their whanau very rewarding. Joan also has a strong interest in patient education and works as a Clinical Editor for the Healthinfo patient information web site.

Outside work interests include walking, reading and watching sport.

Joan is currently accepting new patients, however works only part-time so you may have to wait a few days for an appointment.

Learn more

Nicole spent her early GP career in Christchurch including Lincoln Rd Medical Practice.

For the past 10+ years she has worked in Vietnam, Australia (urban, remote and Indigenous health) and Qatar. She has also worked as a volunteer in SE Asia, Africa and the Middle East.

She is passionate about community and holistic healthcare. Her areas of special interest are Travel Medicine, Urgent Care and really - all fields of family medicine.

When not working, she is loving rediscovering NZ nature walks and hanging out with her 4 young grandchildren.

Nicole is currently enrolling patients.

Our Nurses

Berny - Team Leader

Learn More

Berny emigrated to New Zealand from the UK in 2013 when her first grandchild was born. Her previous experience in the UK was in Secondary Care as she worked for 17 years in ED, the last 12 of which as an Emergency Nurse Practitioner.

Since emigrating to NZ Berny has worked at the 24 Hour Surgery in Christchurch as the Clinical Nurse Leader and is now very much looking forward to working in Primary Care..

Berny is a social person and enjoys spending time with friends and family. Both her son and daughter live in Christchurch and she now has 4 beautiful grandchildren! She is an active relaxer, and enjoys cooking, baking, walking, cycling, craftwork and gardening. She is lucky enough to live near the Port Hills and the Heathcote River which makes it easy to get outdoors to walk and cycle.

Berny aspires to give patients the best care and enjoys working with a great team of nurses.

Pamela

Learn more

Pamela was born in the UK and has lived in Dubai and Ireland before settling in NZ, which she now considers home.

She trained at Ara gaining her Bachelor of Nursing in 2016 after completing her family with 5 children.

She has worked in Secure dementia care, rest home care, District nursing and Practice Nursing. She is passionate about prevention and screening of cancers after losing her Dad to bowel Cancer in 2018.

She also loves wound care and has completed post graduate papers in wound assessment and management.

When not working she likes to read, go for walks with her hubby and children and watch Dr. Pimple popper videos on YouTube.

Sarah

Learn more

Sandy

Learn more

Originally from Christchurch, Sandy trained at CPIT (now Ara), and has lived and worked both in New Zealand and abroad.

Sandy has been a practice nurse for 20 years and enjoys being part of your health journey, helping you to achieve your best health.

Before practice nursing, Sandy worked in paediatrics at Christchurch hospital for 10 years.

Sandy is an 'empty-nester' except for the dog, who she says, rules the roost.

In her spare time, Sandy likes to practice yoga, and loves walking and biking.

Healthcare Assistants

Mary-Ann

Learn More

Born and bred in Tokoroa, a small forestry town in the middle of the North Island, Mary Ann and her husband Tony, moved around the country for years with their six children (all adults now, some with their own children), before settling in Christchurch.

Mary Ann enjoys the flat plains of Christchurch as she enjoys cycling and walking and struggling up the odd hill. In her spare time she can be found hanging out with a few of her 15 grandchildren.

Mary Ann has worked in general practice for many years, and is enjoying her healthcare assistant role, having transitioned from a number of years on reception.

Dietitian

Chui

NZRD. BSc. MDiet.

Rebecca

NZRD. BSc. MDiet.

Learn more

Born and raised in Malaysia, Chui moved to New Zealand in 2018 to complete her Masters in Dietetics at Otago University. She completed this degree in 2021, and soon after began her position of Healthcare Assistant and Dietitian here at Village Health.

Chui is interested in public health nutrition and is excited to be involved in the dietetic care of patients in the general practice setting.

When not working Chui likes going out for coffee with friends and going to the gym.

Learn more

Administration Team

Vanessa - Practice Manager

Harriet - Administration Manager

Learn more

Born and bred in South Canterbury, Vanessa has worked across a range of industries with a background in business, administration, governance and human resource management!

Vanessa is excited to join the team at Village Health. She keeps busy with her 2 daughters, and loves living in Christchurch and exploring all our city has to offer.

Vanessa enjoys gardening, handcrafts, home renovation, reading, cooking, Zumba, walking and church.

Learn more

Harriet was born in England and moved to New Zealand when she was three. She was raised on Auckland's North Shore, studied in Dunedin and now enjoys living and working in Christchurch which she calls her home.

Harriet started working at the practice in 2020 and thrives on learning new things and meeting new people.

She admits to having a soft spot for baked goods and desserts, and her hobbies include sport, travel and music.

Ali

Learn more

Pip

Learn More

Grace S

Learn more

Grace was born in Christchurch and enjoys the environmental perks the Garden City has to offer. She loves scenic walks, spending time at the gym and skiing the slopes in winter.

Grace has come from a Dental and Reception background, now enjoying the diversity General Practice has to offer. She enjoys working in a fast paced environment and is settling in as part of the friendly team at Village Health.

Grace’s hobbies include her vegetable garden, catching up with friends over coffee and creating anything in the kitchen.

Georgia

Grace T

Karen

Learn more

Georgia was born and raised in Christchurch and completed her schooling at Christchurch Girls High school.

Georgia started working in administration in general practice 3 years ago. She enjoys the fast paced nature of general practice, but especially loves the opportunity to meet new people and help out in her community.

Georgia is excited to be a part of the Village health team and looks forward to growing in her role. In her spare time she likes to go for walks up the bridle path and online shopping.

Learn more

Born and raised in Christchurch, Grace has worked as a medical receptionist since 2016 and joined us at the end of 2021

Grace is a sports fanatic, and enjoys watching anything from cricket to league! She is a dedicated Warriors fan (it's our year, this year...)

In 2018 Grace brought her first home and spends her spare time doing renovations.

Grace is a people person so is looking forward to working with the amazing team and is excited to get to know all the patients.

Learn More

Moving from Southland in 1998 to start work at Lincoln Road Medical Practice has been both rewarding and enjoyable. Karen enjoys the variety of people and work that General Practice brings, being able to assist with patient requests brings her great satisfaction in her work. Karen is from Ngai Tahu decent, and is married to Michael with three adult children. Her interests include the outdoors, camping, spending time with whanau and her wonderful grandchildren.

Tune Up Physiotherapy

Susan Saul

Dip. Phys. MNZSP; Dip, MT, Cred MDT

Learn more

I trained as a physio in Otago in 1983 and went on to complete my Manipulative physiotherapy qualification in 1993. I am a 'McKenzie therapist' which means as part of my practice, I can make mechanical diagnoses and perform manipulative therapy of the back, neck and joints in general.

My career commenced working in Wellington in private practice. A highlight being the McKenzie Institute clinics, particularly the live-in rehabilitation centre for people with Low Back Pain.

I enjoy the variety of people, conditions and injuries which come to the clinic which allows me to draw on my broad range of experience of 25+ years (you do the Maths). I pay close attention to peoples lifestyle: work, exercise, hobbies, sport, and general activities, and include these in rehabilitation from an injury or condition.

In my spare time I love to get out into the outdoors with my family and particularly enjoy skiing and tramping. As part of my fitness regimen, I enjoy also playing tennis and swimming.

I moved to Christchurch with my family just in time for the Earthquakes. I have 3 adult children, one of whom is also a physio!

Tune Up Physiotherapy Exercise Classes

Tune Up Physiotherapy offers exercise classes on Monday nights at the St Martins Church, 50 Lincoln Road and at Village Health on Tuesday mornings. The Monday night classes are low impact and focus on stretching and strength exercises and are suitable for all levels, beginners are most welcome. Tuesday morning's class focuses on balance and strength work for falls prevention.

Click here for more information 2021 Exercise classes

Online Workout Videos and Interesting links

Click on the links below!

Quarantine Baked Bean Body Blast (ft. Dad).

Shoulder Stress Reliever

60 second tension release for Desktop Warriors

Physio's review popular walking tracks in Christchurch - a must look