ASMS welcomes Bay of Plenty psychiatrist Dr Mark Lawrence (Te Rarawa, Te Aupōuri, Ngā Puhi) as the newest member of its National Executive.
Mark was elected unopposed to the vacant position in region two left by Waikato psychiatrist Annette van Zeist Jongman.
He is part of a community adult psychiatry team and works within an integrated model of care within both kaupapa Māori and mainstream services at Tauranga Hospital.
He completed his medical training at the University of Otago before receiving his fellowship in 2009.
Mark has been actively involved in the Royal Australian & New Zealand College of Psychiatrists (RANZCP) and joined its Te Kaunihera Committee as Chair in 2012. Last year he was elected to the RANZCP Board as an elected director.
He is a senior lecturer at the University of Auckland School of Medicine, teaching and examining undergraduate psychiatry students.
His interests include Māori mental health development, teaching, advocacy and policy development. He has a particular interest in improving structures and systems to achieve equity.
Mark says he is looking forward to learning more about ASMS and believes he will bring a different perspective to the National Executive team.
