Management
Margaret Perley
Head of Student Health Services
Margaret worked at SDHB as a Nurse and Manager for 19 years before moving to Student Health in 2006.
Brylee Saunders
Practice Manager
Brylee is the Practice Manager at Student Health. She joined our team in 2011.
Melanie Philip
Clinical Group Leader – Nursing - Nurse Prescriber
Melanie is a Registered Nurse and trained in Dunedin. She has worked both in Dunedin and in London, and has a special interest in travel medicine, vaccinations and sexual health.
Bret Dougherty
Clinical Group Leader – Doctors
Bret is a General Practitioner at Student Health, he joined our team in 2011.
Richard Mooney
Clinical Group Leader – Mental Health and Well-being
Richard is a Registered Mental Health Nurse. Originally from and trained in England, he has worked extensively within the mental health field in New Zealand and overseas. He has worked for Student Health since 2017 and is involved in completing initial assessments, crisis resolution, brief intervention and identifying and referring students to appropriate support. He is also an ardent Manchester City fan.
Doctors
Josh Campbell
Doctor
Josh is a General Practitioner, originally from Lower Hutt. In his spare time he likes being involved at the Dunedin Rugby Club, and being a Dad. He joined the team in 2025.
Margaret Charles
Doctor
Margaret is delighted to return to Student Health Services after two years away. Her special interests include sexual health, and she is passionate about whole person well-being.
Julia Collett
Doctor
Julia is a General Practitioner at Student Health. She joined our team in 2021.
Claire Handley
Doctor
Claire is a General Practitioner (GPEP3) at Student Health. She joined our team in 2022.
Simone Hart
Doctor
Simone is a General Practitioner at Student Health. She joined our team in 2026. She spent 25 years working as a GP in Queenstown. Simone enjoys golf and tennis in her spare time.
Emma Heaton
Medical Officer
Medical Officer
Emma Heaton is a Medical Officer at Student Health. She joined our team in 2023.
Alveera Hynes
Doctor
Alveera is a General Practitioner at Student Health. She joined our team in 2012.
Raj Kandath
Doctor
Raj is a General Practitioner at Student Health. He joined our team in 2009.
Ami Nukada
Doctor
Ami is a General Practitioner who studied at the University of Otago Medical School and graduated in 2001. He spent his junior doctor years in Dunedin and Ireland, specialising in emergency medicine. He changed to general practice in 2008 and has been at Student Health Services since 2009, with special interests in minor surgery and skin issues. When he’s not at work, Ami is trying to get out on his mountain bike, but spends most of his time as a dad.
Jenny Ogilvy
Doctor
Jenny is a General Practitioner who trained in the UK and has worked in New Zealand since 2003. Her special interests include mental health, contraception (including IUDs), minor surgery and promotion of Student Health across the wider university. She loves horse riding and is an avid fan of Liverpool Football Club.
Prue Orchiston
Doctor
Prue is a General Practitioner at Student Health. She joined our team in 2004.
Alasdair Reid
Doctor
Originally from Scotland, Alasdair graduated in 2013 from the University of Glasgow and initially trained in anaesthetics in Edinburgh. He moved to New Zealand in 2018 and spent several years working as a registrar in psychiatry and emergency medicine before moving to general practice in 2022.
Alasdair spends all his spare time with his wife, daughter, and cat.
Alasdair is a GPEP 3+ general practitioner.
Jordana Tafatu
Doctor
Jordana is a General Practitioner at Student Health. She joined our team in 2026.
Polly Tenci
Medical Officer
Polly is a Medical Officer at Student Health. She joined our team in 2026. She has a special interest in sexual health and wellbeing, also working part-time at the Dunedin Sexual Health Clinic.
Graeme Whittaker
Doctor
Graeme is a General Practitioner. He joined our team in 2017.
Nurses
Angella Alexander
Registered Nurse – Nurse Prescriber
Angella is a Registered Nurse and trained in Dunedin as an adult student. Prior to this she worked at the dental school for 20 years as a Dental Assistant in oral surgery. Angella has worked at Student Health since 2008 & deals with all aspects of general practice, and also specialises as the diabetes nurse for the practice. Angella also works within the travel medicine team and provides Immunotherapy at Student Health. Angella has been a Dunedin girl all her life, and among other things enjoys socialising with her family and friends.
Ashleigh Affleck
Registered Nurse – Nurse Prescriber
Ashleigh is a Registered Nurse who trained in Otago. She joined our team in 2017.
Gwen Cuthbertson
Registered Nurse – Nurse Prescriber
Gwen is a Registered Nurse at Student Health, she joined our team in 2008. Gwen completed her nurse training in Auckland and has worked overseas, and also combined a love for skiing and nursing working as a ski Nurse in Queenstown. She has a special interest in travel medicine, vaccinations and female sexual health.
Outside of work she loves travelling, sailing, fishing, skiing and gardening.
Heather Anderson
Clinical Assistant
Heather Anderson is a Clinical Assistant at Student Health. She joined our team in 2024.
Johanna Kraemer
Registered Nurse – Nurse Prescriber
Jo is a Registered Nurse at Student Health. She joined our team in 2014.
Julie Williams
Registered Nurse – Nurse Prescriber
Julie is a registered nurse who has worked at the University of Otago for many years. She enjoys working with students from a variety of backgrounds. She has special interests in sexual health, nurse prescribing and acute illness/injury. Outside of work she does a lot of running, athletics and Zumba and rescues a menagerie of animals.
Kerrie Matthews
Registered Nurse
Kerrie is a Registered Nurse who trained as an adult student at Otago. She graduated in 2022 and has worked solely in primary care settings since. She joined our team in 2025.
Outside of work, Kerrie enjoys playing (but mostly watching) netball. You’ll also find her playing Mum’s Taxi to her two children, ferrying them to their various sporting activities.
Melanie Gaffaney
Registered Nurse
Mel has worked in NICU for the majority of her nursing career, both here in NZ and in the UK . Since returning to Dunedin, she has moved into primary health and joined the Student health team in 2025
Rupert Reyes
Registered Nurse – Nurse Prescriber
Rupert is a Registered Nurse at Student Health. He joined our team in 2021.
Originally from the Philippines, he moved to Dunedin in 2018 and has worked in various healthcare settings including medical, surgical, aged care, and community.
He is also a cosmetic registered nurse and has a special interest in clinical dermatology, appearance/aesthetic medicine, and gender-diverse healthcare.
Sarah Seque
Registered Nurse
Sarah trained as a nurse in Dunedin, graduating in 2013. Since then, she has gained experience in a variety of health settings but has a special interest in sexual health and general practice nursing.
Tash Abbott
Registered Nurse
Tash is a Registered Nurse of Cook Islands descent. She joined our team in 2026. Tash trained in semi-rural primary practice and has a strong background in disability management and community support. Tash has a special interest in sexual health and managing long-term conditions.
Tori Clearwater
Clinical Assistant
Tori Clearwater is a Clinical Assistant at Student Health. She joined our team in 2022.
Mental Health and Wellbeing team
Andrea Moore
Wellbeing Counsellor
Andrea Moore joined our team in 2023 as a Wellbeing Counsellor.
Andrea is a qualified counsellor with a postgraduate certificate in addictions.
She comes with 15 years of experience working alongside young people and their whanau experiencing mental health and substance use difficulties but enjoys supporting all young people to overcome adversity and enhance their own resilience.
Anna Seiuli
Wellbeing Counsellor
Anna is a wellbeing counsellor and joined Student Health in 2019.
Anna trained in Otago and is of Samoan descent. Prior to Student Health Anna worked at Otago Polytechnic for ten years in various roles including counselling.
Beckha Warwick
Mental Health Support Clinician
Beckha is a registered Occupational Therapist, who joined Student Health in 2026, with previous experience working in Mental Health with adults and students.
Originally from Te Whanganui-a-Tara Wellington, Beckha moved to Ōtepoti Dunedin to study at Otago University, continuing on to study at Otago Polytechnic. Beckha is a part of the Mental Health support team where her main role is in completing initial assessments, crisis resolution, brief intervention, and identifying and referring students to appropriate supports. Outside of work Beckha enjoys spending time with her friends and family and engaging in many hobbies such as crafting, puzzling, and baking.
Carolyn Walker
Mental Health Support Clinician
Caro is a registered Mental Health Occupational Therapist, who came to Student Health in 2017 after 17 years working in Mental Health in Dunedin.
Caro is a Dunedin girl and studied both at Otago Uni and Otago Polytechnic. Caro is a part of the Mental Health Support ( MHS) team where her main role is in completing initial assessments, crisis resolution, brief intervention, and identifying and referring students to appropriate supports.
Caro also works in a liaison role with the other support services at Otago Uni which means she gets to get out and about seeing and supporting students around campus and colleges.
Danielle O'Brien
Wellbeing Clinical Psychologist
Danielle is a registered Clinical Psychologist who joined the team in 2018.
Having studied at the University of Otago, she is well-equipped to support students through the many challenges they may face throughout their University journey and is passionate about using evidence-based interventions to improve well-being.
David Jaggard
Mental Health Support Clinician
David is an Occupational Therapist who has been working in mental health or addiction services for many years.
David grew up in Whanganui but Dunedin is definitely home. David loves working at student health and looks forward to meeting new people every day. Ngā mihi nui.
Ellen Warhurst
Wellbeing Clinical Psychologist
Ellen Warhurst is a Clinical Psychologist at Student Health. She joined our team in 2022.
Georgia Cowan
Wellbeing Clinical Psychologist
Georgia Cowan is a Clinical Psychologist at Student Health. She joined our team in 2022.
Grant Ritchie
Wellbeing Counsellor
Grant is a Registered Mental Health Nurse, who is new to Student Health in 2018, with 29 years of experience working in Mental Health field in Dunedin. Grant is born and bred in Dunedin, having attended Otago Polytechnic and the University of Otago.
In partnership with the MHS team, Grant is one of the Wellbeing Counsellors, where his main role is to provide brief intervention counselling, promotion of mental health well-being within the University community, provision of group work and assisting with the MHS role as required.
Janine Dixon
Mental Health Support Clinician
Janine is a Registered Nurse, who joined Student Health in 2019, with many years of experience working in Mental Health areas in Dunedin.
Janine is born and bred in Dunedin, having attended Otago Polytechnic and studied at Otago University. Janine is a part of the Mental Health support team where her main role is in completing initial assessments, crisis resolution, brief intervention, and identifying and referring students to appropriate supports.
Jen Murray
Wellbeing Counsellor
Jen joined our team in 2021. She is a registered Occupational Therapist working as a Wellbeing Counsellor.
Jen has worked in mental health settings for many years, mainly with children, young people and their whānau. Her special interests include supporting students who have experienced situations of sexual harm and difficulties with disordered eating/eating disorders. Outside of work Jen enjoys spending time with her whānau and friends, walking, reading and being outside in the sunshine.
Jessie Gwynne
Wellbeing Clinical Psychologist
Jessie Gwynne is a Clinical Psychologist at Student Health. She joined our team in 2022.
Jubilee Rajiah
Psychiatrist
Jubilee is the Psychiatrist at Student Health. She joined our team in 2002.
Kelsey Davis
Wellbeing Clinical Psychologist
Kelsey is a clinical psychologist who joined our team in 2025.
Kelsey has worked in specialist mental health services for the past 6 years; working with a mixture of adults, young people, and whānau.
In her spare time Kelsey enjoys spending time with her family, tap dancing, and doing jigsaw puzzles.
Lauren Redshaw
Wellbeing Counsellor
Lauren is a registered Occupational Therapist (OT), with a special interest in the mental health and talking therapies field.
Lauren joined the team at Student Health in 2018. After several years working under the Southern District Health Board across a variety of community and inpatient adult mental health settings. Lauren’s brief intervention counselling approach is a blend of Solution-Focused, ACT and OT skills, knowledge and practices. Lauren comes from the Ōtākou Peninsula and enjoys spending time with whanau, friends and like-hearted folk; in her spare time, you will find her walking with her Staffy, taking photos of nature, drawing, reading and being anywhere near some sunshine or water.
Mami Yamaguchi
Wellbeing Clinical Psychologist
Mami Yamaguchi is a Clinical Psychologist at Student Health. She joined our team in 2023.
Michelle Moore
Wellbeing Counsellor
Michelle is a Registered Occupational Therapist working at Student Health as a Wellbeing Counsellor and joined our team in 2021. Since her training at Otago Polytechnic she has worked predominantly in Mental health and completed training in CBT and other therapies. Until joining Student health she spent 17 years working at Youth Specialty Service and had a special interest in working with young people with eating disorders and their families.
Nat Davis
Mental Health Support Clinician
Nat is a Registered Nurse, who joined Student Health in 2024 as a Mental Health Support Clinician, with many years of experience working in Mental Health.
Phil Newman
Mental Health Support Clinician
Phil is a Registered Mental Health Nurse. Originally from and trained in England, he has worked extensively within the mental health field in New Zealand and overseas. He has worked for Student Health since 2016 as part of the Mental Health Support (MHS) team, where his main role is completing initial assessments, crisis resolution, brief intervention, and identifying and referring students to appropriate supports.
Sarah Crannitch
Wellbeing Clinical Psychologist
Sarah joined our team in 2024.
Sarah Davie
Mental Health Support Clinician
Sarah Davie is an Occupational Therapist who joined us in 2024 as a Mental Health Support Clinician.
Before joining our team, she spent many years working alongside rangatahi and whānau at the DHB.
Dietitian
Minako Kataoka
Dietitian
Minako is a New Zealand Registered Dietitian. She has expertise in dietary prevention, management for chronic diseases, and is a Monash FODMAP-trained dietitian. She joined our team in 2021.
Reception and Administration
Carolyn Jordan
Clinic Administrator
Carolyn is a member of our reception and administration team. She joined our team in 2005.
Chloe Lasscher
Clinic Administrator
Chloe is a member of our reception and administration team. She joined our team in 2025.
Heather Parnell
Clinic Administrator
Heather started at Student Health in January 2019. Prior to that she spent 22 years at ACC in various roles, and a short period at Nelson Marlborough DHB as a Team Leader before moving to Dunedin. She is an avid reader and appreciator of chocolate.
Judy Ross
Clinic Administrator
Judy Ross is a member of our reception and administration team at Student Health. She joined our team in 2022.
Linda Hope
Clinic Administrator
Linda is a member of our reception and administration team. She joined our team in 2019.
Nicky O'Brien
Clinic Administrator
Originally from Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland, Nicky comes from a travel/tourism and backcountry guiding background. She has lived in the Canadian Rockies, worked for YHA and Tolcarne Boarding Residence, and managed Airbnb properties. Nicky also volunteers for Ice Hockey NZ.
Nicole Fyfe
Clinic Administrator
Nicole is a member of our administration team at Student Health. She joined our team in 2024.
Nikki Woolf
Clinic Administrator
Nikki is a member of our reception and administration team. She joined our team in February 2026. Nikki has spent 11 years living in London and then 19 years living in Wellington. She has a background in both medical administration and IT Support. Nikki has relocated back to Dunedin to be closer to family and friends.
Peter Mitchell
Clinic Administrator
Peter has lived in Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland for most of his life and joins the team as a Divisional Services and Administration Administrator. Outside of work a big hobby of Peter’s is rowing coaching which has taken him to London in England, Kirikiriroa Hamilton, and now to Ōtepoti Dunedin.
Sarah Everard
Clinical Activity Coordinator
Sarah is our Clinical Activity Coordinator at Student Health. She joined our team in 2024.