Practice Partner Team
The principal role of our Practice Partners is to assist practices with the delivery and evaluation of primary health services, in accordance with both national and local strategic objectives.
Stuart Barson
Integration 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.
Ruth Zeinert
Practice Partner
Ruth joined WellSouth in 2020 after eight years of waving the health flag from within local government. Prior to that she worked in public health, managing the Healthy Eating Healthy Action portfolio for Southern DHB.
Ruth is a strategic thinker who is passionate about population wellbeing. She is a registered physiotherapist and nutritionist (public health).
Ph: 022 015 4893
Carolyn Martin
Practice Partner Central Otago/Queenstown Lakes
Carolyn has worked in the health sector for 25+ years.
She has been involved with PHOs off and on in Otago and Southland since 2004 and joined WellSouth again in 2018.
Carolyn initially worked as part of the IT team supporting several IT projects, particularly patient portals and virtual health options, before taking up the Practice Partner role in late 2020.
carolyn.martin@wellsouth.org.nz
Ph: 021 407 266
Daniela Duggan
Practice Partner Invercargill
Daniela is the Invercargill Practice Partner.
Before joining WellSouth Daniela worked as the Practice Manger at the Winton Medical Centre and has been a Senior RMO Advisor at Te Whatu Ora Southern. Prior to this Daniela was the Assistant Manager at Splash Palace.
Daniela is also a Foundation Standard Assessor.
Daniela.duggan@wellsouth.org.nz
Ph: 021 382 737
Karla Stiles
Practice Partner South Otago, Hokonui & Invercargill
Karla joined WellSouth in 2022, bringing more than 25 years of experience in both primary and secondary health care across New Zealand and Australia. She formerly served as Practice Manager at Centennial Health in Alexandra. Living in Central Otago has fostered her strong interest in rural health, along with a growing focus on strategic planning within general practice.
Karla is a RNZCGP Foundation Standards Assessor and has recently completed a Health Coaching Certificate to further support her work in primary care.
Ph: 022 010 0945
Piper Charteris
Primary Care Network Administrator
Piper brings a strong background in healthcare and administration to her role as Administrator for Primary Care. Before joining the team, she worked in healthcare staffing, coordinating placements for Registered Nurses across New Zealand. Her passion for the healthcare sector is also reflected in her hands-on experience as a healthcare assistant in aged care.
piper.charteris@wellsouth.org.nz
Ph: 0279788991