Susie Meyer
Doctor, Aspiring Medical Centre
One of 11 children,I grew up in a small rural town, in Minnesota, USA. My father was a sparky, my mother a, busy housewife. I attended university in the US for two years studying arts. I then “paused” my education, to “study” skiing for 4 years.
After my “ski bum” years in Jackson Hole, Wyoming I moved to NZ in 1982. I enrolled at Auckland University and achieved degrees in Zoology and Medicine.
Graduating Medicine in 1991, I moved south to work in Dunedin Public Hospital. In 1992, I shifted to Wanaka for the winter season with my Partner Whitney Thurlow, and our, one year old son. I worked on the Treble Cone ski patrol as the medic for 2 winters, spending my summers in Dunedin Public Hospital.
In 1995, after completing my General Practice training, I set up Aspiring Medical Centre. We celebrated the 21st birthday of the practice this year. From those humble beginning we have grown into an organization which employs 22 people who work incredible hard to provide the highest standard of care that we can. Our purpose built Medical Centre, makes that job much easier then it was when we worked out of an old converted house, on the corner of Brownston and Dungarvons street.
After working for the community for 21 years I still enjoy my work. My current focus is on teaching post-graduate trainees. I work with the Royal College of General Practice, to educate doctors in Central Otago, Southland, and Otago. I am a member of the primary and secondary care liaison group. This group of GP’s and Dunstan Doctors meet every other month to improve care in our region. I am also a member of the Central Otago Health Network, a group working for the district health board. We meet monthly and advise on the future of Health Services in our region for the next 20 years.
I have a strong interest in maintaining and supporting a sustainable after hours urgent care service for Wanaka. I believe it is important to provide a superior 24 hour service for this community. I volunteer my time to organize and promote a gold standard of after hours care in our town.
Now that my family is grown I believe it is important to give to the community. My aim is to help create and maintain the best health services we can, now and into the future. Children are our future and I want all those wee kids I see each day to continue to have access to good health care long after I hang up my stethoscope.
