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

Editor-in-Chief, Chief Clinical Advisor, bpac^nz, Chair of the South Link Education Trust

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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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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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 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 pathology.

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Amy Bennie BSc (Hons), MSc (Otago)

Medical Writer

Amy joined the bpac^nz Publications Team in 2025. Her role is to research and write articles for bpac^nz Publications. Amy graduated with a Bachelor of Science (Hons) in Pharmacology and Toxicology from the University of Otago in 2021, having completed her honours research year investigating the carcinogenic potential of dioxin in breast cancer. She subsequently submitted her Master of Science thesis in Biochemistry, which examined long non-coding RNAs as potential therapeutic targets in glioblastoma. Amy has a particular interest in toxicology and neuropharmacology, and a passion for making science accessible. In her free time, she enjoys tramping, rock climbing and reading.

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 design/web 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 publications and the bpac^nz website. Michael also provides design expertise for various other bpac^nz projects, as well as illustration and photography as required.