ABOUT DR EMILY GILL
Rural General Practitioner, Primary Care
Researcher and Senior Lecturer
New Zealand Harkness Fellow - 2017-18
Dr. Emily Gill, born in New Zealand but grew up in Santa Cruz, California, now practices General Practice (e.g. Family Medicine) in New Zealand where she lives with her husband Ivor Jones and children Aterea, Tanira and Tiana. Dr Gill was awarded the prestigious Harkness Fellowship (2017) for New Zealand and was based at Brigham and Womens Hospital in Boston (2018) studying the use of digital technology in rural primary health care.
I am a New Zealander by birth, with US ancestry, who is deeply committed to improving primary healthcare provision to vulnerable populations through clinical, research and leadership roles.
I am a primary care physician (Fellow of the Royal NZ College of General Practitioners) and senior lecturer, with peer-reviewed research publications, and am the 2017 New Zealand Harkness Fellow.
For 12 months, starting in September 2017, Dr Gill was based in America conducting research on the use of digital technology to engage communities in a rural primary health care.
Dr Gill conducted her research at the Brigham and Women's Hospital (Boston), an outpost of the Harvard Medical School, Harvard University, and worked with leading experts in clinical informatics. She also learned about healthcare delivery reforms and health policy issues, as well as gaining valuable insight into international healthcare systems.
Dr Gill returned to Ōpōtiki, New Zealand in the early summer of 2018, full of enthusiasm and ideas to continue working with the local healthcare sector to improve primary care delivery.
Whakatōhea Māori Trust chief executive Dickie Farrar said they were delighted with Dr Gill becoming the New Zealand Harkness Fellow for 2017:
"And we’re sure that the insights she brings back will not only help our Whakatōhea community, but contribute to our desire to be a national and international showcase of innovative rural healthcare delivery".
Church Street Surgery’s Dr Jo Scott-Jones, who nominated Dr Gill for the opportunity, said having a local professional involved in such research activities was good news for the Eastern Bay.
"Emily’s passion for general practice, leadership ability and significant intellect were evident during her time at Church Street Surgery as a GP registrar, I knew the Harkness Fellowship would allow her to accelerate her skills".
Dr Gill’s application required the support of the Bay of Plenty District Health Board, which was gladly given by its chief executive Helen Mason, herself a recipient of a Harkness Fellowship in 2014-15.
"I was delighted to support Emily’s application and am thrilled rural Eastern Bay of Plenty has been recognised as a place where Emily’s skills can be used to contribute to both national and international research to improve primary health care. The BOPDHB strives to be a leading place of clinical excellence and Emily’s award will ensure this excellence spreads from the urban centre of Tauranga to our remote clinics of Te Whanau a Apanui".
Dr Gill's roles include Rural General Practitioner (0.06 FTE), based at the Te Kaha and Whakatōhea Medical Centres, and Senior Health Researcher at the University of Auckland. She also leads and participates in specific research projects.
The Harkness Fellows for 2017 - New York
New Zealand Local Focus - Ōpōtiki General Practitioner wins Prestigious Fellowship
Contact Dr Emily Gill
Rural General Practitioner, Primary Care
Researcher & Senior Lecturer