Professor Murray Tilyard BSc, MBChB, DipObst, MD (Otago), FRNZCGP (Dist)

Editor-in-Chief, Executive Director and CEO, bpac^nz

Professor Tilyard graduated in 1980 and entered into General Practice in 1985. He became a member of the Royal New Zealand College of General Practitioners in 1990. He gained his Doctorate in Medicine Degree in 1995, was made a Fellow of the Royal New Zealand College of General Practitioners in 1996 and received a Distinguished Fellowship in 2006. He recently retired from his role as a Professor of General Practice, at the Dunedin School of Medicine, University of Otago. His research interests are in general practice, health services utilisation, medical informatics, diabetes and chronic disease management. He has published over 100 papers in refereed journals.

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Rebecca Harris BSc, MSc (Distinction) (Otago)

Editor & Publications Manager

Rebecca has worked at bpac^nz as a researcher and medical writer for over 15 years, formally undertaking the role of Editor in 2010. Rebecca provides editorial oversight for all written material produced at bpac^nz, including Best Practice Journal, online content and other publications. In addition, she liaises with specialist expert reviewers, develops clinical content for these publications and co-ordinates production and design.

Rebecca has a background in general practice research, having worked for several years in the RNZCGP Research Unit at the Department of General Practice, Dunedin School of Medicine, University of Otago. During this time Rebecca published multiple papers in peer-reviewed journals and presented general practice research at both national and international conferences, including the North American Primary Care Research Group (NAPCRG). Rebecca has also worked as a Poisons Information Officer at the National Poisons Centre, providing acute management advice to health professionals and members of the public, and developing material for a national toxicology database. Rebecca is a member of the Australasian Medical Writers Association.

Dr Sharyn Willis BSc(Hons), MBChB (Otago), Dip Obst (Distinction)

Senior Medical Advisor

Dr Willis has worked for bpac^nz 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 bpac^nz 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 bpac^nz 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.

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Dr Adrian Patterson BSc (Hons First Class), PhD (University of Otago), PGCertPH

Senior Medical Writer

Adrian joined the bpac^nz 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.

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Sam Betty BBiomedSc (Otago) BPharm (Distinction)

Medical Writer

Sam joined the bpac^nz Publications Team in 2022. His role is to research and write articles for bpac^nz 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.

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Dr Anna Gray MBChB, PGCert

Medical Advisor

Anna joined the bpac^nz 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.

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Tayla Hope BBiomedSc (Otago)

Medical Writer

Tayla joined bpac^nz in 2021, following completion of the summer graduate scholarship programme. Her role is to research and write articles for bpac^nz 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.

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Justine Broadley BCom, PGDip Sci (Otago)

Senior Data Analyst

Justine has a long history with bpac^nz, having begun with the organisation in 2000. She has a degree in Information Science from the University of Otago.

Justine’s role at bpac^nz is to analyse data from the Pharmaceutical Dispensing Data Warehouse (Pharmhouse database) and to produce individual reports for general practitioners and other organisations such as PHOs and DHBs. This entails having a thorough knowledge of the data in the Ministry of Health Pharmaceuticals Claims and Laboratory testing databases, and the ability to interpret data requirements in order to produce reports. In addition to report writing, Justine analyses data to produce meaningful information to supplement bpac^nz’s clinical programmes.

Justine has had extensive training in Business Objects to facilitate the extraction of data from the Pharmhouse and to produce individualised reports.

Michael Crawford BSc (Hons) (Otago)

Graphic designer

Michael began working at bpac^nz as a graphic designer, in November, 2007. His main role is design and layout of all bpac^nz print publications, including Best Practice Journal and Best Tests. Michael also provides design expertise for the bpac^nz website and various other bpac^nz projects, as well as illustration and photography as required.

Michael previously worked as a Multimedia and Computer Assisted Learning Consultant for the University of Otago (1999-2007) where he assisted with the production of a wide range of teaching and learning support material for University course work.

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Ben King

Web designer/developer

Ben started with bpac^nz in January, 2013 to take on the role of completing a new-look website. Since then, the website has continued to evolve with new features, user experience enhancements and mobile optimisation. Ben also works on a variety of other websites for bpac^nz and our partner organisations.

Kaye Baldwin

Corporate Manager

Kaye has worked for BPAC since its initial instigation in 1997. Key aspects of her current role as Corporate Manager include; human resources, financial/accounts, contracts and quarterly reporting, Board Secretary, governance, CLAG coordination.

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Lee Cameron BA (Otago)

Administrative and Research Assistant

Lee joined bpac^nz in 2013 to provide support to the management and publication teams. Lee is the initial point of contact for all enquiries to bpac^nz and, among other roles, he manages the publications mailing database.

Lee has a background in hospitality and customer service and has done some travelling prior to taking up his role with our organisation.