Nelson Family Medicine | Doctors and General Practice Team

Doctors at Nelson Family Medicine

Dr Gillian Kearon – MB BCh, BAO (Hons), PGCert WHlth FRNZCGP.

Sorry I am unable to take on any new patients. I was born and bred in Dublin, Ireland. I obtained my degree from Trinity College in 2007 and completed my internship in Dublin before taking “a year out” to work and travel in New Zealand. 10 years later I’m still here and enjoying life in New Zealand which I am proud to call my second home.
I really enjoy all aspects of General practice and the variety it brings. It is a privilege to work as a GP and to assist patients to achieve their optimum health and happiness.

Dr Sarah Richards – Skin Specialist BSc etc.

Hi! I’m Sarah and the rest of my bio is to come soon. Image notes, I like the smile in this shot, am a fan of the B&W image blow.

Dr Sarah Richards – Skin Specialist BSc etc.

Hi! I’m Sarah and the rest of my bio is to come soon. ***This is my pick for the best image of the 4, look forward to your feedback.

Dr Sarah Richards – Skin Specialist BSc etc.

Hi! I’m Sarah and the rest of my bio is to come soon. This is still a good shot, but looks a little colder than the smile (my opinion).

Dr Sarah Richards – Skin Specialist BSc etc.

Hi! I’m Sarah and the rest of my bio is to come soon. Once again Black & White shots add to the website I think.

Dr Ryo Eguchi – BSc MB ChB.

Hi! I’m Ryotaro but you can call me Ryo (like Rio). I was born in Fukuoka, Japan and moved to New Zealand back in 2001. I spent most of the first 10 years in NZ in Dunedin, where I graduated from Otago University. I worked at various hospitals but mainly in Rotorua, Whanganui, and Blenheim; and decided to move to Nelson with my partner this year to pursue my GP career which I love. Outside of work, I enjoy fishing (let me know if you know any good land-based fishing points), relaxing at cafés and learning about Web 3.0.

Dr Andy Dawson – MB ChB, FRNZCGP, PGCert TravMed.

I grew up in Scotland and graduated from Aberdeen University in 1989. I trained in General Practice in the West Coast of Scotland and worked there as a rural GP, and in Africa prior to moving to New Zealand in 1993. I worked in Hamilton and Queenstown before settling in Nelson in 1996. I enjoy the variety that General Practice offers, and have additional experience in Travel Medicine and Occupational health. I’m married to Fox and we have two daughters. Our family live on a lifestyle block where we keep Highland cattle. When I’m not busy looking after things there, I enjoy tramping, skiing and the outdoors.

Dr Rachel Davidson – BSc, MB ChB, DCH, FRNZCGP.

Sorry I am unable to take on any new patients. I grew up in Auckland and graduated from Otago Medical School in 2003. I have a Post Graduate Diploma in Child Health. I moved to Nelson in 2005 and am now the proud mother of one young daughter. I am a keen mountain biker and enjoy all outdoor activities.

Dr Ed Johnson – MB ChB(Hons), B.Sc(Clin Med), MA, MRCP, MRNZCGP.

I was born in England and did my medical study in Glasgow Scotland, graduating in 2008. Having spent four years working in various UK hospitals I then moved with my young family to Gibraltar for a couple of years before taking the leap over to NZ in 2014. I started my GP fellowship training in Nelson in 2016.
I enjoy most sports and have loved getting back into football recently, and when not outside exploring in nature I will be training in the gym or playing with my two young boys.

Dr Dorren Kirkaldy – MB ChB, FRNZCGP, Dip Obs.

Sorry I am unable to take on any new patients. I graduated from Dundee University Medical School in 1986 and completed my General Practice training in Scotland. After working in rural and remote areas of Australia I moved to New Zealand in 1994 and have been in Nelson since 2002. I love General Practice and the wide range of challenges that it brings. My areas of interest are women’s health and child health. I have completed the Fellowship of the Royal New Zealand Colleges and hold a Diploma in Obstetrics and Gynaecology.
I have 2 children and my partner Mike works as an ENT Surgeon in Nelson. As a family we enjoy skiing, water-sports and lots of outdoor activities.

Dr Marissa Kelaher – MBChB, DCH, FRNZCGP Member of Australasian Society of Lifestyle Medicine.

I was born in Canada and grew up in the Nelson region in beautiful Golden Bay. Prior to medical training (which I completed at Otago University in 2004) I attended performing arts school, then spent time volunteering overseas, where I decided to go into medicine. After doing my house officer years at Nelson hospital, I spent 4 years travelling the world with my husband and stepson. In 2010 we returned to Nelson, I started GP training, and we had our two young sons. I have particular interests in nutritional and lifestyle medicine (in particular plant based nutrition), and am excited to be offering specific personalised consultations in these from March 2021. I have completed postgraduate training in children’s health, nutritional medicine, lifestyle medicine, and mindfulness, and am passionate about helping people improve their health naturally. For more information follow on facebook and instagram @thesimplicitydoctor. Outside of medicine I enjoy travel; exploring outdoors with my family; music, arts and culture; yoga; and gardening.

Dr Arwen Mohr – MD ABFM.

I am originally from the United States and moved from Oregon to New Zealand in December 2019. My husband and I had our honeymoon in New Zealand (including a visit to Nelson) in 2009 and had been hoping to move here ever since. We initially lived in Greytown and then moved to Nelson in January 2021. I did my Family Medicine training in Philadelphia, Chicago, and California. I am an avid runner but also enjoy hiking and most forms of exercise. Above all, I enjoy spending time with my two wonderful children and husband. My hope as a GP is to form a partnership with my patients in order to help them maintain their health to its fullest potential. I adore children, from babies to teenagers, and hope to have entire families registered with me.

Dr Lizzie Thomas – MB ChB PGDipObstMedGyn MRNZCGP.

Born and bred in Palmerston North, I studied at the University of Auckland, spending several years moving between Auckland, Northland, and Hamilton for my placements at university before coming to Nelson to work. After four years working in different roles at Nelson Hospital, I made the move to General Practice and haven’t looked back. I’ve done postgraduate study in women’s health, and am now working towards GP fellowship. I love the variety of work in General Practice, and the relationships that develop over time. Outside of work I enjoy running, yoga, and snowboarding.

Dr Janneke Patterson – MB BS FRNZCGP.

I grew up in rural Devon and did my medical training in the Southwest of England. I worked for a few years in the UK and then a variety of hospital jobs in New Zealand before seeing the light and completing my GP training in 2015.
I love General Practice, as many others do, for the variety it brings on a daily basis and I find it a very rewarding job. I live with my husband and young daughter who keeps me on my toes. I enjoy running, biking and generally being active.

Our nurses

Diane

I am interested in all aspects of individual and family health including health promotion, screening and education. My special interest areas include chronic conditions (Diabetes, Heart, Respiratory), Travel Medicine, Women’s Health and extending the role of Practice Nurses. I’m proud to be a nurse – and caring is central to all aspects of my role.Outside of work I enjoy running, yoga, and snowboarding.

Jodie

I have been nursing since 2000, and have been a practice nurse at Nelson Family Medicine since 2006. My background is medical / surgical. I enjoy working with the community and having the families and sometimes generations of the same families seeing me. I enjoy many aspects of nursing care, particularly cardiac, wound care and children.

Jacqui

I grew up in Auckland. After working in Surgical Ward and Intensive Care I moved to Queenstown to work as a Ski Area Nurse before settling back in Nelson. I am interested in all aspects of family medicine and in particular Travel Medicine, Women’s Health and Sexual Health.

Denise

My years of nursing in general practice have flown by. I have taken on specific roles in refugee health and venesection in addition to all the usual practice nurse roles. I’m also a mother of three children, and enjoy keeping up with them, as well as tramping, skiing, playing my fiddle, and a newfound interest in sailing.

Bridget

I completed my nursing diploma in Nelson, my home town. I travelled overseas and spent 5 years in the UK prior to coming back to New Zealand and meeting my partner. We have three lovely teenagers. I enjoy squash, swimming, walking our dog, movies, and spending time with family and friends. I enjoy all the challenges and aspects of Primary Health Care. I particularly enjoy the continuity of care we can provide. Women’s health, children’s health and travel medicine are my special interests.

Anna

I have been nursing since 2003. I trained in Nelson and worked in Nelson Public Hospital, before moving to Christchurch for 8 years. My nursing background includes Medical, Geriatric and Plunket nursing. I really enjoy Primary Health Care especially working with children, women and families. I have four children of my own and enjoy the outdoors, reading, and spending time with family and friends.

Teresa

I grew up in the South of England and moved to NZ in 2017. I gained my diploma in nursing in 1983 after training with the Queen Alexanders Royal Naval Nursing Service, which was wonderful. Since qualifying I have nursed in many different disciplines but particularly enjoyed 6 years as a Community Staff nurse in the Yorkshire Dales. I have 3 daughters and 8 grandchildren and they keep me busy. I love swimming, piano, flower arranging, writing and hope to publish one day.