Andrew Swanson-Dobbs
Chief Executive Officer
Andrew Swanson-Dobbs joined WellSouth as the CEO early 2019.
Andrew graduated as a registered psychologist many years ago from the University of Waikato and has worked in health ever since. Andrew began his career in child and adolescent mental health services before moving into primary care where he has worked as Clinical Services Manager at Rotorua General Practice Group, CEO at Nelson Bays Primary Health and most recently as a General Manager at Pinnacle Midlands Health Network.
Damon Campbell
Chief Operating Officer
Damon joined WellSouth after an extensive career in local government, where he led several significant digital transformation programmes. A number of these were recognised by various sector organisations, including the ALGIM COVID-19 Response Special Awards and Taituarā — Local Government Professionals Aotearoa for Award for Better Policy and Regulation. Among other industry certifications, Damon holds a Master of Business Administration from Massey University.
As Chief Operating Officer, Damon Campbell leads several of our organisation’s corporate and operational portfolios, including Clinical Operations, Communications and Engagement, Data and Development, Digital Technology, Primary Care Network Team, and our People and Culture team.
Damon is primarily responsible for ensuring these teams are delivering services across general practice and community providers, including providing advice around future innovations and capabilities to enhance patient care.
Mistelle Jack
Chief Financial Officer
Mistelle Jack, CA joined WellSouth in late 2022 having returned from Wellington after 10 years.
Mistelle has spent her career in strategic finance across both public and private sectors, nationally and internationally. In recent years Mistelle has been on the establishment team for government agencies as well as a global CFO during the pandemic.
In returning to Dunedin, her skills have been put to good use in the health sector, striving for equality in funding and accessibility in the south.
Peter Ellison
Pou Oraka Matua (Director of Māori Health and Equity)
Peter Ellison (Kāi Tahu), Pou Oraka Matua/Director of Māori Health and Equity, leads our organisation's commitment to reducing health disparities for Māori and Pacific Peoples. He is part of the Southern DHB Māori Health Team tasked with driving strategy and improvement initiatives to support gains in Māori health status across the Southern Health System.
Peter joined WellSouth in 2014. He previously held Māori Health leadership roles at Bpacnz and Otago DHB.
Peter holds a Bachelor of Commerce from the University of Otago. He is affiliated to Te Rūnanga o Ōtākou and Kāti Huirapa Rūnaka ki Puketeraki where he is a member of their executive committee.
Dr Andy Shute
Acting Clinical Director
I have been working part-time for WellSouth since 2020 as Clinical Advisor and general practitioner liaison for Southland hospital before expanding to cover the whole Southern Region. Originally from the UK, I moved to NZ in 2008, completed general practitioner training in Christchurch in 2012, gaining Fellowship in 2015. I moved back to Waihōpai/Invercargill in 2018 and recently became an owner/director at Queens Park Medical Centre.I am also a RNZCGP GPEP1 teacher and GPEP2-3+ visiting medical educator for the Southern region. My wife is a Consultant Anaesthetist at Southland Hospital, and I have 2 school age boys.
If you have any issues, feedback, or questions that you would like support with or do not have time to manage, or if you are not sure how to approach a problem, please feel free to get in touch. I am not the right person to do everything, but I might know who that person is.
Stuart Barson
Integration and Programme Director
Stuart has a long background in health policy, management, and research, most recently as the Health Care Home lead for WellSouth.
He has also been a community worker, Ministry of Health policy analyst, Private Secretary to three Ministers of Health, teacher, health promoter, project manager, care planning software salesperson, and Research Fellow in health system quality improvement.
Karen McCleery
Executive Assistant
Karen McCleery brings a wealth of experience to WellSouth, previously working at the Otago Chamber of Commerce and a range of other businesses within Dunedin.
Karen joined WellSouth in early 2021 in the role of Executive Assistant.