Climate Health Champions Aotearoa

02 July 2021

Congratulations to Dr Rob Burrell FANZCA and Dr Matt Jenks FANZCA for their recognition at the Sustainable Healthcare and Climate Health Aotearoa Conference (SHCH21).

The Sustainable Healthcare and Climate Health Aotearoa committee established the annual Climate Health Champions Aotearoa awards to celebrate people who have gone above and beyond their day-to-day work to support, advocate for, or implement positive environmental change that protects the health of New Zealanders from climate change. Winners are chosen based on the level of achievement, impact, inspiration and the effort their work involved.

Dr Burrell's nominator described him as "A tenacious leader within his specialty, who thinks outside the square to get results regarding the reduction of the use of toxic anaesthetic gases both at Counties Manukau District Health Board (CMDHB), and with colleagues throughout New Zealand."

Dr Jenks from Dunedin Hospital is executive member of OraTaiao and active member of the Sustainable Health Sector National Network. He has been advocating for healthcare sustainability and climate action for many years building valuable knowledge that he contributes to letters and submissions.

The conference is convened by the University of Otago, OraTaiao – (health professionals’ New Zealand Climate and Health Council), Sustainable Health Sector National Network, Global Green and Healthy Hospitals Pacific Region (coordinated by Climate and Health Alliance).