When Chris first came to Oamaru in December 2007, he intended to stay for a year. Nearly eight years on, he doesn't even spend a thought on going back to Germany. New Zealand, the South Island and Oamaru are close to his heart, and so are his patients. Chris has worked as a GP in Oamaru since he arrived. Having his own medical centre is something he is really excited about. Oamaru Doctors opened its doors on May 1, 2015. His wife Dagmar is thrilled for him: "Chris loves what he is doing and starting his own practice is a dream come true." The couple and their two children live on a lifestyle block just out of town and do enjoy peace and freedom with their horses and their dogs. Horses are Chris's passion and he doesn't give up thinking about competing again, like he did back home in Germany. Chris graduated form Heidelberg University in 1998 and became a German GP fellow in 2002. In 2014 he attained Fellowship of the Royal New Zealand College of General Practitioners. Before the family came out to New Zealand Chris was an army doctor, based at the French border and working in trouble spots all over the world. Chris is looking forward to welcoming you at Oamaru Doctors and invites you to approach personally if something worries or troubles you with regards to the day-to-day business at Oamaru's newest GP practice.

Originally from Australia, Matt graduated from Otago University in 2001 and trained as a GP in Christchurch. He attained Fellowship of the Royal New Zealand College of General Practitioners in 2009. After that Matt and his family spent a few years in Australia where he worked in an Aboriginal Medical Service and a regular GP practice. The family came back to North Otago to live closer to extended family. Matt and Christina have three children and are happily settled on a lifestyle block out of town. Their Christian beliefs are central to their lives and they attend Oamaru Baptist Church as a family. Matt’s professional interests are in family medicine and medical education of doctors completing the GP training program. Matt facilitates a distance learning group for rural doctors who are completing the NZ GP training programme. Matt and Chris worked together prior to starting Oamaru Doctors in May 2015.

I am a doctor that is passionate about rural medicine, I find it both challenging and rewarding. I have recently completed my Rural Hospital Medicine Fellowship and General Practice Fellowship. I have been working in Westport, for over a year finishing my training. There I truly appreciated what it is to be a rural doctor in a more remote community. I have recently moved to Oamaru and am also working at the local rural hospital. Coming from a rural background I have a strong interest in improving rural health and community.

I have seen many places as a doctor and as a tourist, and I am very glad to be in New Zealand and more specifically in the very cosy and beautifully located town of Oamaru.
Originally from Belgium, I graduated at the University of Leuven as a medical doctor and became a fellow GP in 2009. I have been a GP for almost 10 years and for more than five years I co-owned a practice in the rural Belgian village where I was born. After that, I studied Tropical Medicine, which still interests me very much. Another field of interest of mine is psychiatry/psychology, in which I was able to immerse myself while working in a psychiatric hospital. Now I’m very glad to be able to help the friendly people of Oamaru.
Being a real outdoor kind of person, I am also very happy to be able to explore the beautiful region of Otago together with my partner. Where there is some good food and wine to be found, that is where we are heading.

Asking her what she enjoys most about being a nurse, Claire's answer comes instantly: "I enjoy the variety of work I do in a day and working with everyone from the very young to the elderly." Claire has been in Primary Health Care for most of her professional life and is passionate about improving health outcomes. She trained in the UK and came to New Zealand with her husband Dave, a Kiwi whom she met overseas. The couple have four grown-up children and live in coastal Kakanui.
Primary Health Care has evolved tremendously during Claire's career with more nurse led interventions promoting improved health outcomes for patients with current health problems or preventing health issues from arising.
But for Claire, the team leader of our nurses, it all still comes down to the joy of meeting people, hearing their stories and helping them.

Jane moved from Canterbury to Oamaru with her husband and their two children 10 years ago. She has been a registered comprehensive nurse for almost 20 years. Jane and her family own a hill country sheep and beef property in the wonderful friendly and supportive community of Five Forks. On moving to Oamaru Jane initially worked at Oamaru Public Hospital and almost five years ago made the change to practice nursing. Jane states becoming a nurse has been a highlight of her life and she loves her career. Jane prides herself daily to do the best she can for whoever she is caring for. Whether this be a baby/child being immunised, a deep wound being redressed or resolving someone's request, result or query, Jane would like to think that she has made it the best experience and outcome it can be. Every individual should feel that they have been well cared for. Outside of work Jane's passions are working with and along side her husband and children on their sheep and beef property, being involved, helping, watching and encouraging their children with their schooling and many extracurricular activities, being an active part of her children's school and her community and keeping herself fit and active. Jane looks forward to meeting all of Oamaru Doctors current and new patients and to give you the best care possible.

Jen moved to New Zealand from Cumbria, England, over 10 years ago. Jen has been nursing for over 25 years. Initially trained as an ICU nurse in England, she began working as a practice nurse 5 years ago. She lives with her family on a sheep farm in the local community of Five Forks, her husband's home district. Jen joined the Oamaru Doctors team in June 2015 and is enjoying working with colleagues who share her goal: focussing on the best care and treatment for all patients as individuals. Jen really enjoys primary health care and the diversity of the challenges and rewards. Promoting health where possible is an opportunity she embraces. Jen has travelled a lot and nursed overseas in America and as a volunteer medic for a charity in Namibia, Africa. Jen feels very much at home in North Otago and does help on the farm whenever she can. In her spare time, Jen enjoys running and tramping.

I trained as a registered nurse in the UK and have worked as a practice nurse in New Zealand for the past 20 years. I enjoy the diversity and challenges of general practice and the opportunity to work with all age groups. I like being part of a multidisciplinary team and am looking forward to working at Oamaru Doctors. In my spare time I like to spend time in the beautiful New Zealand countryside.

Marie enjoys her role as Practice Manager after having worked for over 15 years as a Medical Receptionist in Oamaru. She enjoys helping people and providing support to staff and doctors.
Marie is married to Allan and has three adult children and 5 grandchildren whom she enjoys spending time with.
In her free time Marie finds pleasure in walking as well as learning the saxophone.

Janice has been back in Oamaru now for three years and is enjoying New Zealand life. Having lived and worked around the world, Janice is happy to be part of a new Practice and is enjoying the variety of her new role.

Jan has been working in the health sector for 35 years, the last 25 years haven been in General Practice. She enjoys the daily interaction with patients and other staff members and keeping up with the ongoing changes in General Practice.
Jan is married to Errol and in her spare time enjoys gardening and spending time with her family.