Dr Chris Booker BSc (Hons with Distinction), PhD (University of Otago)
Medical Writer
Chris joined bpacnz in September, 2014 as a part-time medical writer; as of August, 2015, Chris joined the team full-time.
Chris’ role is to research and write articles for Best Practice Journal and other
bpacnz publications. Previously Chris worked for over a decade at the University of Otago, in the Department of Anatomy and Edgar Diabetes & Obesity
Research Centre. Chris’ experience is principally in diabetes and neuroendocrinology research, but his work has involved a range of topics and fields
including cardiovascular disease, nutrition, bioinformatics and immunology. He has published a number of articles in peer-reviewed journals,
and assisted in teaching neuroanatomy and the pathophysiology of diabetes in health science courses at the University of Otago.
Mark Caswell BSc (Hons First Class)
Medical Writer
Mark joined bpacnz in 2011. His role is to research and write educational resources for bpacnz publications.
Mark has been a member of the Australasian Medical Writers Association (AMWA) since 2013 and in 2016 he became
an AMWA executive committee member.
Previously, Mark worked at the University of Otago regulating the use of medicines in biomedical research.
Mark also spent time researching the neurobiology of Alzheimer’s disease at the University of Melbourne.
He has published in peer-reviewed journals and has an interest in creative writing.
Dr Hywel Lloyd MBChB (Liverpool), MRCGP
Medical Advisor (honorary)
Dr Lloyd graduated in 1989 and worked for nine years as a principle in general practice in rural Wales. His knowledge
of information technology and clinical experience was reflected in his appointment as an Honorary Lecturer in Health
Informatics, University of Wales, Swansea. On moving to New Zealand in 2003, Hywel worked as a General Practitioner in
Mosgiel, Otago. He continued his work in informatics. Hywel was the clinical lead for long-term conditions management
within the Taieri Strath Taieri PHO (TSTPHO) and was appointed to their Governance Group in 2005.
In 2008, Hywel took up a position of Clinical IT Advisor to BPAC. His roles as clinical advisor for the Best Practice
Journal and chief medical adviser to the South Link Health Group coupled with his 20 year experience in health informatics
provides the foundation for his ability to formulate IT solutions for health improvement. Hywel has presented nationally
and internationally on Health Informatics and Long Term Conditions Management as well as presenting to Government Health
Select Committees within the UK and at Prime Ministerial level on the benefits of shared electronic health records. He
is currently Director of Health Informatics, South Link Health.
Dr Sharyn Willis BSc(Hons), MBChB (Otago), Dip Obst (Distinction)
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 over 20 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.