Our People – Tatou Tangata
Dr Andre de Lange
General Practitioner/Director
Scope of practice: Vocational General Practice (18 May 2009)
MB ChB 1984 Pretoria
Bachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of Surgery, University of Pretoria, South Africa
FRNZCGP 2009
Fellow of the Royal New Zealand College of General Practitioners, New Zealand
As a GP, you have a wealth of knowledge and experience that can help improve the health outcomes of patients. It's important to listen to our patients and create a positive experience for them when they visit our centre.
Hiring staff who share that drive and commitment to providing high-quality care is crucial to achieving our goal of being an extraordinary medical centre in the area. With the right team in place, we will create a culture of excellence that will benefit our patients and our business.
Remembering to stay focused on our goals, and always striving to improve services to meet the evolving needs of our patients is paramount to our patients' experiences.
Vicki Bryant
Nurse Practitioner
Scope of practice: Primary Healthcare
Qualification: Nurse Practitioner
I have lived, worked, and grown within this community for the past 3 decades. This has allowed me to develop my practice with a focus on empowering people to improve their health, walking alongside my patients on their health journey enhances my passion for working within the industry.
Working with our team of professionals instills the integrity and honesty that is fundamental to delivering focused and honest healthcare outcomes.
Faye Haerewa
Nurse Practitioner
Scope of practice: Primary Healthcare
Qualification: Nurse Practitioner
Faye Haerewa stands as a woman of great significance, driven by an unwavering passion for expertise that resonates in her patient interactions. Her journey commenced as a Nurse Assistant, evolving through roles as an Enrolled Nurse and then as a Registered Nurse, showcasing a commitment to excellence in her field. Faye's transition to a Nurse Practitioner marked the culmination of her dedication, demonstrating a profound desire to be more available to her patients by applying the extensive knowledge and experience acquired throughout her transformative journey.
Faye emerges as a practical, deeply engaged practitioner, embodying the values and commitment to patient care that Levin Family Health upholds. We take immense pride in welcoming Faye to our team, recognizing her as a practitioner of exceptional caliber whose wealth of expertise will undoubtedly enrich our practice and further strengthen our commitment to delivering outstanding healthcare services.
William Barnett
Registered Nurse/Practice Manager
Postgraduate Certificate in Health Science (Level 8) University of Auckland - 2015
Bachelor of Nursing (Level 7) Waikato Institute of Technology Ltd - 2012
When I think about the last 12 years of my Nursing career, the greatest lessons came from outside the classroom, emergency ward, and general practice clinics. Life skills have played a huge role in how I have developed as a person and as a professional.
Learning is not bound by the diplomas, certificates, or master's degrees you receive, but by the implementation of that learning. If you are not utilising that growth to help and support the development of others then you are not creating the pathways that encompass greater work ethics for all involved.
Sarah McElwee
Registered Nurse
Sarah joins Levin Family Health with over a decade of experience in District Nursing within the local Kapiti district, showcasing her extensive expertise in wound care, elder care, and patient care. Despite being new to Practice Nursing, Sarah's enthusiasm, and eagerness to embrace this challenge played a pivotal role in her appointment. We were particularly drawn to her commitment to personal and professional growth, aligning seamlessly with our values.
Residing locally with her husband and daughter adds an extra layer of connection to the community, making her a valuable asset to our team. Her decision to be part of Levin Family Health is not only driven by professional aspirations but also by a desire for a better work-life balance, allowing for more quality time with her family. We are thrilled to embark on this collaborative journey with Sarah, anticipating the positive contributions she will make to our practice through her specialised skills and commitment to exceptional patient care.
Abby McGeown
Registered Nurse / HIP Nurse
Hi there! I'm Abby Your Matanga Whai Ora
I have lived in Levin since 2016, have a young daughter and am involved in a local sports club. I am a registered mental health nurse with just over three years of experience in community mental health and unplanned care. Currently, I'm proud to be a part of the THINK Hauora Matanga Whai Ora team, where we do things a bit differently.
As Matanga Whai Ora, we believe in quick, accessible support– no need for referrals. We're all about empowering you to take control of your mental well-being. My background is in evidence-based talking therapies, like Dialectical Behavioural Therapy (DBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), and Motivational Interviewing. These approaches help us work together to find solutions and create a plan of action that suits you.
Our teams are spread across general practice, Māori health providers, and communities all over the district. So, wherever you are, there's someone nearby ready to lend a listening ear and help you make positive changes in your life.
I'm here to support you through whatever is affecting your health and well-being. Let's embark on this journey together and empower you to live your best life.
Aimee Stallard
Clinical Healthcare Assistant to Vicki Bryant
I am originally from Upper Hutt and moved to Levin almost 3 years ago with my Partner and Daughter. The move to Levin has been great. Being able to meet new people and expand opportunities has been a highlight. I am part of the Levin Volunteer Fire Brigade and thrive on helping the community.
I have always found myself in the Health and Wellbeing industry in many different roles. Health & Wellbeing has always been an interest of mine. Being able to help people to create a better lifestyle is very rewarding.
I look forward to meeting many more people in this wonderful new Practice, Levin Family Health.
Ngā Mihi.
Christine Harper
Clinical Healthcare Assistant to Dr Andre de Lange
Some may recognize my face from the Levin Medical Centre era where I worked for many years since
1990. This is where my father, John Miller started this practice with Ted Gillies in 1977. I have worked in several Medical Centres since; Foxton, Shannon, Palmerston North, and most recently Otaki. The only difference now is I will be moving from Administration to a Clinical Healthcare Assistant role. I am looking forward to this new role, working alongside the clinical team to deliver a service to our patients we can be proud of.
Happily married to Charlie for 33 years. We have one son, Thomas, and were recently blessed with a grandson, Hunter. Some of you may know, as his mum, Susan, recently worked in the office at Speldhurst. I am learning to paint, I enjoy cooking and baking when I have time, gardening, spending time with family and friends, and traveling.
Looking forward to meeting you all at some stage of your health journey.
Jan Ferguson
Accounts Manager
I am so excited to be part of the management team of Levin Family Health. My father was a GP with practices in Linden and Tawa many years ago. I remember feeling so proud when his patients referred to his kindness and wonderful bedside manner.
My strengths are administration, systems and networking. I have worked in the academic, business, healthcare, justice and legal sectors so bring a wide range of experience to this role.
I thrive on being a part of a professional yet friendly organisation and know this can only be achieved with the right team in place. I believe we have this at Levin Family Health.
I have four adult sons but sadly no grandchildren yet. I am now back in Levin and manage to surround myself with my pets and farm animals. My true passion is horse trekking but having fractured 10 vertebrae in my spine in 2022, I am no longer able to ride.
I look forward to meeting you.
Carolyn Lovett
Medical Administrator
I moved to the Horowhenua area from Auckland in 2009 (best move ever) and began working in the health sector. I particularly enjoy being part of a hard-working and focused team offering professional and family-friendly support to our patients.
I’m the voice on the phone, or the face you see at Reception, and your concerns and wellbeing are important to me.
“Nothing you wear is more important than your smile.” Connie Stevens
Jayde Clark
Medical Administrator
I grew up and spent most of my life in Porirua, 1 year ago I moved to Levin with my partner and son to be closer to my family.
As a medical receptionist for the past 6 years, I have worked in the Patient Services Team at Wellington Hospital and then went on to support the Covid Response Team for the Wellington Region. When I moved to Levin, I worked at Horowhenua Community Practice as a Patient Services Co-ordinator.
I have always wanted a job with a focus on helping patients and what they need, and this job is exactly that. I want to create and build a patient relationship where they feel supported and feel comfortable reaching out for help when needed.
I'm looking forward to meeting new people and seeing some familiar faces at our new practice - Levin Family Health.
Vicky McCosh
Medical Administrator
My husband and I moved from the Wairarapa to the Horowhenua district in 2018 to be closer to our children and grandchildren. I have spent most of my adult life in customer service, running and owning my own businesses, which has meant I have had the pleasure of interacting with the public for many years.
My philosophy in life is to treat others as you would want to be treated. I have been lucky to be employed by Levin Family Health where they practice all the important morals that I believe in, respect, kindness, and empathy so I feel privileged to be part of a team that continues to help people at a time when they may not be feeling their best.
Gail Lambess
Claims Officer
Gail brings a wealth of expertise from her prior roles in claims working 23 years in Medical Centres and with the PHO, making her a valuable addition to our team. Her appointment is a source of pride and excitement, primarily attributed to her friendly and approachable demeanour. Gail's extensive experience in claims is a testament to her capabilities, and her knowledge serves as a solid foundation for her new role. We are confident that her proficiency and amiable nature will contribute significantly to the positive and collaborative atmosphere within our organisation.
Gail's background underscores her suitability for the position, aligning seamlessly with the ethos of our team. Her track record with the 23 years in Medical Centres and her work within the PHO positions speaks volumes, instilling confidence in her ability to navigate the intricacies of our work. Overall, we look forward to the positive impact Gail will undoubtedly bring, fostering a dynamic and inclusive environment through her blend of experience and approachability.
