Dr Sharyn Willis BSc(Hons), MBChB (Otago), Dip Obst (Distinction)
Senior Medical Advisor
Dr Willis has worked for bpacnz since 2007, as a General Practice clinical advisor to the publications team,
and a medical writer. Her role is to provide clinical oversight and to assist in developing clinical content for bpacnz publications.
Sharyn also takes a lead role in the development of continuing medical education resources, including clinical audits,
for General Practitioners.
Sharyn has almost 30 years experience as a General Practitioner. She worked full-time in her own practice for ten years
and since joining bpacnz has continued to work part-time in a local general practice. Sharyn has previous
experience in teaching as a clinical tutor for medical students in her own practice and as a tutor in the Department
of General Practice at the University of Otago. She has co-authored research publications and has provided general practice
support for research projects with Professor Jim Mann in the Department of Human Nutrition, University of Otago.
Dr Adrian Patterson BSc (Hons First Class), PhD (University of Otago), PGCertPH
Senior Medical Writer
Adrian joined the bpacnz publications team in 2018 after gaining experience in medical writing. He had previously completed his
doctoral studies at the University of Otago in the Department of Microbiology and Immunology, where his research focused on the mechanisms
controlling a form of bacterial adaptive immunity known as CRISPR-Cas.
Adrian has published several articles in peer-reviewed journals and has a passion for communicating unbiased and concise healthcare information.
Sam Betty BBiomedSc (Otago) BPharm (Distinction)
Medical Writer
Sam joined the bpacnz Publications Team in 2022. His role is to research and write articles for bpacnz publications.
Sam completed his Biomedical Sciences degree at the University of Otago, majoring in Drugs and Human Health, before
training as a pharmacist. Sam has a special interest in cardiovascular and renal pharmacology. Sam has also worked as a
Poisons Information Officer at the National Poisons Centre.
Dr Anna Gray MBChB, PGCert
Medical Advisor
Anna joined the bpacnz Publications Team in 2021 in a remote capacity. She is a dual Rural Hospital/General Practice registrar,
who graduated from the University of Auckland with a MBChB in 2015. She has past experience in clinical writing as an intern for
various NGOs and a post graduate certificate in Narrative Medicine with a focus on equity. She has worked in Rotorua, Whāngarei,
Kaitaia and Ruapehu regions. She looks to provide a trainee, and North Island perspective on the clinical review team.
Chris Hay BHealthSci (Otago)
Medical Writer
Chris joined the bpacnz publications team in 2022, after working in pharmaceutical research. His interests include public
health and science communication. He holds a Bachelor of Health Sciences from the University of Otago.
Tayla Hope BBiomedSc (Otago)
Medical Writer
Tayla joined bpacnz in 2021, following completion of the summer graduate scholarship programme. Her role is to research
and write articles for bpacnz publications. Tayla recently completed her Biomedical Sciences degree at the University of Otago, majoring
in Drugs and Human Health, with Council Commendation for Exceptional Performance. During her studies, Tayla worked for a local pharmacy
undertaking medicine delivery duties, including responsibility for signing in controlled drugs. She has particular interest in cancer
biology and applying molecular pharmacology to improve the burden of disease.
