Conference
Speakers

James Downar is a Critical Care and Palliative Care physician in Ottawa. He graduated from McGill Medical School and completed residency training in Internal Medicine, Critical Care and Palliative Care at the University of Toronto. He has a Master’s degree in Bioethics from the Joint Centre for Bioethics at the University of Toronto. He is currently the Head of the Division of Palliative Care at the University of Ottawa, and holds a Clinical Research Chair in Palliative and End of Life Care. He is the co-chair of the Pan-Canadian Palliative Care Research Collaborative and the Secretary of the Canadian Critical Care Society. He has authored more than 85 peer-reviewed publications, has been principal investigator on 18 peer-reviewed grants, and is a former Associated Medical Services Phoenix Fellow. His research interests include communication and decision-making for seriously ill patients and their families; Palliative Care for the Critically Ill; and Palliative Care for Noncancer Illnesses.

Director, Health Service 360 | Honorary Professor of Leadership in Healthcare | School of Nursing, Midwifery and Social Work, University of Salford, Manchester | Honorary President AGILE: The network of Chartered Physiotherapists working with Older People | Honorary Adjunct Professor of Innovation in Healthcare, Bond University, Queensland

Brian has a 30 plus year career in various nursing, leadership, academic and consulting roles focusing on system redesign, culture change and patient flow.

He is Director of Health Service 360, which was founded in 2001 with fellow nurse Lynda Holt to change and improve health systems and develop leaders.

He is also one of the people behind social movements like the Last 1000 Days and End PJ Paralysis, and in 2019 got the Queen’s attention for his services to nursing and emergency care and was awarded an OBE.

Ngāi Tai ki Tamaki & Ngāti Porou
Tess is a Research Fellow and founding member of the Te Ārai Palliative Care and End of Life Research Group at the School of Nursing, University of Auckland. The research she leads on behalf of the Te Ārai Kāhui Kaumātua is designed to give voice to whānau Māori about their end-of-life care tikanga (customs) and preferences.

Currently, Tess is the lead researcher on a qualitative Kaupapa Maori HRC funded study - Rapua te Mārama. Previously Tess recently supported the development of Mauri Mate – A Māori Palliative Care Framework for Hospices and Whenua ki te Whenua, a national Māori Advanced Care Planning resource. She previously held an advisory position on Hospice New Zealand’s Governance Board to develop the Foundations of Spiritual Care Training Program. Tess has also been selected as one of New Zealand’s 100 Māori Leaders as part of the Henry Rongomau Bennett Foundation Leadership Strategy based on her contributions to indigenous end-of-life care research.

Richard Egan, an Associate Professor in the Department of Preventive & Social Medicine, Dunedin School of Medicine, University of Otago, is a co-director of the Social and Behavioural Research Unit and former director of the Cancer Society Research Collaboration. He has a diverse background that includes five years of experience as a mental health promoter in a Public Health Unit and five years of secondary school teaching. With qualifications in theology, English literature, religious studies, and public health, Richard's research primarily focuses on qualitative research in the areas of health promotion, supportive care in cancer, and spirituality in healthcare, using mixed methods research. He has published over 65 peer-reviewed papers and completed a Master's thesis on spirituality in New Zealand state schools and a PhD thesis on spirituality in end-of-life care.

Richard has served as a past-president of the New Zealand Public Health Association and past Vice-Chair on the Board of the Health Promotion Forum of New Zealand. He is also an Honorary Research Consultant for Meaningful Aging Australia and a member of the Global Network for Spirituality & Health. Additionally, he collaborates with Hospice NZ on spirituality matters.

From a more personal point of view, I am the co-lead in this project focused on integrating spiritual care into healthcare. To provide some context for my perspective and approach, I’d like to share a bit about my background, as it shapes my contributions to this work. I am a Pākehā New Zealander, Tangata Tiriti, with family roots in Ireland dating back to the mid-1800s. I was raised a Catholic. While my path has led me to identify myself as spiritual but not religious, I continue to respect and acknowledge my Catholic heritage. I believe that every individual has a spiritual dimension, which is about connection, and as humans, we grapple with questions about how to live meaningfully, act with kindness and compassion, and contribute positively to the planet. I share this background to offer insight into my perspectives, but also to note that I believe imposing one's beliefs on others is not appropriate.

Dr Waikaremoana Waitoki is a clinical psychologist with work and research interests in Kaupapa Māori psychology, adult, child and adolescent mental health, supervision, accreditation, and curriculum development. She is an Associate Professor and Associate Dean Research in Te Pua Wānanga ki te Ao Faculty of Māori and Indigenous Studies at Waikato University, as well as the immediate past president of the New Zealand Psychological Society.

She is the co-editor of the first Māori psychology textbook Te Manu Kai i te Mātauranga - Indigenous Psychology in Aotearoa. She is a recipient of the Royal Society Apārangi Te Puāwaitanga Research Excellence Award for her distinctive contribution to te ao Māori and Māori knowledge.

Luke Bird is an award-winning vocalist and entertainer known for his charisma, versatility, and sharp comedic flair. With a Bachelor’s Degree in Performing Arts, he has built a dynamic career across musical theatre, opera, television, and live events. Trained by renowned NZ Opera Diva Joan Kennaway QSM, Luke has performed at prestigious operatic events and alongside leading artists, while also appearing in major musicals including The Phantom of the Opera, Cats, Hairspray, and Cabaret. His screen credits include Shortland Street, Power Rangers, and work with Whakaata Māori (Māori Television), including hosting Lucky Dip and appearing on Sidewalk Karaoke.

A sought-after corporate performer and MC, Luke is the founder of Luke Bird Entertainment and an original member of comedy troupe The DG NOFNOFS. In 2021, he became a celebrant, adding to his diverse and engaging portfolio as a performer who consistently captivates audiences