SLSNZ appoints Honorary Medical Director

Surf Life Saving New Zealand is excited to announce the appointment of Taranaki doctor Angela Veric to the role of Honorary Medical Director.

The purpose of the newly created role is to provide strategic direction and advice on matters pertaining to patient care by lifeguards and to ensure all surf lifesaving activities promote the health and wellbeing of members.

Surf Life Saving New Zealand CEO Paul Dalton says we received a very high standard of applications and it is with great pleasure that we have offered the position to Angela. "Her expertise, knowledge and enthusiasm will be a welcome addition to Surf Life Saving New Zealand to support the Lifesaving Manager, National Lifesaving Committee, clubs and of course the wider membership," he says.

Angela joined the Levin-Waitarere Surf Life Saving Club as a nipper and her most recent club was East End.

She was also fortunate to be selected for the SLSNZ Leadership Group that ran from 2003-2005.

From her involvement in the group, Angela was nominated for the inaugural Dr Ian Mackie Medical Fellowship to the International Lifesaving Federation. She was given access to, and was involved in, the workings of the Medical Committee which is full of great scientific, medical and lifesaving minds from all over the world.

Angela is managing to meld together her two passions, having undertaken some further study in Sports Medicine and providing medical support for the Association of Surfing Professionals' Women's Surf Tour. She also has a young son and as she and his father are both from a surf lifesaving background, they are very excited about developing the next generation of lifeguards.

Angela says she is excited and honoured to be appointed to the role. "It is important for us to align to, and in some areas, lead international and national medical best practice but as a 'clubbie,' I know that relevance for our membership and improved outcomes for the public are key.

"In the short term, I hope to use my networks in the New Zealand and international community to ensure I am abreast of the most up-to-date information. In the longer term ensuring there is a sustainable approach to incorporating the medical community and practices into our services is paramount," she says.