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The health scholarship that helped Saya make a difference for Māori

A health scholarship has been a pivotal experience for Saya Karauna (Ngāti Porou, Ngāti Kahungunu), inspiring her to make a difference for Māori in rural communities through the health system.Saya is a Braemar Charitable Trust Health Scholarship recipient in her third year studying a Bachelor of Health at the University of Waikato. She says she chose to study health because, “Māori are underrepresented in health. Being both Māori and Pākehā, I have seen both sides of the health system i...

Kate is kicking high after free surgery

People have no idea, says Kate Le Papillon how a small operation can make such a big difference to a person’s life. Having free surgery through Braemar Charitable Trust has meant Kate can live without excruciating pain.Some people do less when in pain, but not Kate Le Papillon. Best described as a pocket rocket, Kate cares for her partner, a tetraplegic, supports her ageing mother, competes in Taekwondo tournaments and operates a garden maintenance business from her home in Kirikiriroa Hamilto...

Free surgeries for dozens of Waikato people in November thanks to Braemar Charitable Trust

Braemar Charitable Trust will provide free surgeries for up to 70 people in November as part of its long-running Community Surgery Programme.The Trust owns Hamilton’s Braemar Hospital, and with donated time from surgeons and anaesthetists, funds free community surgeries for people in need. For the first time, Braemar Hospital will open theatres on Saturdays specifically for these free community surgeries. On Saturday 9 or Saturday 23 November, dozens of adults and children needing minor surger...

Braemar Hospital a case study for innovators

Braemar Hospital went under the x-ray vision of 20 leading CEOs and executive leaders from across Aotearoa New Zealand at the renowned Institute for Strategic Leadership Programme in Queenstown.Chief Executive of Braemar Hospital, Fiona Michel says the chance to be a real-world case study for a multi-disciplined group of leaders to analyse and apply their strategic thinking was an opportunity not to pass by.Fiona attended two days of the week-long Strategic Leadership Programme with Braemar Char...

She’s got her life back – surgery recipient grateful for assistance through the Braemar Community Surgery Programme

When Andrea Jones says the Braemar Charitable Trust gave her her life back, she means it.Andrea been in pain for years, had been on the hospital surgery waiting list for years, and on occasions hospitalised with her pain. That pain was dragging her down, mentally and physically.Andrea, who works as an office manager, had gone from being a very social person to someone who seldom went out – too risky in her condition – and her energy levels plummeted.“I used to think nothing of walking 10 k...

Helping Waikato children one mouth at a time

Paediatric dentist Katie Ayers has been working with Braemar Charitable Trust for more than a decade. She works in specialist private practice in Hamilton, and through the Trust she gives her time and expertise to carry out free dental treatments to children in need – children who for whatever reason cannot readily access the public sector and who require urgent treatment.Braemar Charitable Trust is the 100% owner of Braemar Hospital, one of New Zealand’s largest private hospitals. The Trust...

On a path to addressing health inequities thanks to health scholarship

Saya Karauna is on a mission to improve health outcomes, particularly for Māori. She is studying for a Bachelor of Health at the University of Waikato, majoring in Population Health. Last year Saya successfully applied for a Braemar Charitable Trust Scholarship, awarded to students who are studying either Health or Nursing at the University of Waikato and are planning to stay in the region after graduation.While Saya welcomed the money the scholarship brings, it also allowed her to do a month�...

Surgeon and Trustee works across the sector

Surgeon Jasen Ly spends most of his working days at Waikato Hospital, but he also uses his expertise in the private sector, as a surgeon and as a medical trustee on the Braemar Charitable Trust. Jasen became a trustee in 2022 following a gentle nudge from a former mentor, now colleague.“I didn’t need much persuading because I was already working at Braemar and I admired the work the Trust was doing.  As a trustee it’s not just about deciding what to do with the money – and ther...

Dozens of Waikato people to receive free surgery thanks to Braemar Charitable Trust

The charitable trust that owns Braemar Hospital is providing free surgeries in November under its long-running Community Surgery Programme. Dozens of adults and children needing minor surgeries will have procedures across one of two Saturdays - 9 and 23 November. For the first time, Braemar Hospital will open theatres on Saturdays specifically for these free community surgeries. Hamilton’s Braemar Hospital is 100% owned by the Charitable Trust which undertakes a range of charitable a...

ENT surgery waiting times for Waikato children halved thanks to Braemar Charitable Trust

We fund many charitable activities, including free community surgeries, with the aim of improving overall health in the Waikato region. Many surgeons and anaesthetists who are credentialed to work at Braemar Hospital donate their time, free, and the hospital and trust cover other costs for the surgeries.Recent ear, nose and throat (ENT) surgeries for children organised by Braemar Charitable Trust have halved the waiting time for those Waikato children. Health New Zealand – Te Whatu Ora wants a...

Braemar Charitable Trust a key partner in South Waikato Community Hauora Day

The charity that owns Braemar Hospital, one of the largest private hospitals in New Zealand, has provided free surgical procedures for South Waikato people at a local community hauora (health) day. The Braemar Charitable Trust, the 100% owner of Braemar Hospital, undertakes a range of charitable activities, including community surgeries, to help improve health in the Waikato region. Many surgeons and anaesthetists who are credentialled to work at Braemar Hospital donate their time, free. Br...

Braemar Charitable Trust and Waikato Hospital ENT department collaborate for patient care

The Braemar Charitable Trust Community Surgery Programme is our  flagship charitable activity.This programme involves surgeons and anaesthetists donating their time and expertise pro bono to provide surgeries to eligible patients, at Braemar Hospital. The in-hospital costs are funded by Braemar Charitable Trust.With collaboration between Braemar Hospital, Waikato Hospital and Braemar Charitable Trust a system has been developed whereby children currently on Waikato Hospital’s ENT (Ear, No...

Vicky McLennan Appointed as new Chairperson, Braemar Charitable Trust

The Braemar Charitable Trust is delighted to announce that Vicky McLennan has been appointed as its new Independent Chairperson. Vicky formally took up the position on 1 September and replaces retiring Chair, Victoria Ashplant. Vicky will be known to many of you already, having lived in Hamilton since 2008, when she moved from Christchurch to take on the role of Principal at Waikato Diocesan School for Girls. Upon leaving Dio in 2017 after an extensive period in education, Vicky immediately...

Te Rau Oranga Fund launched

When Orthopaedic Surgeon Dr Ruth Tan approached the Braemar Charitable Trust about her vision of creating a new philanthropic investment fund dedicated to getting more Maaori into the health sector, we put her in touch with Momentum Waikato. Trust Manager Paula Baker said, "We are really pleased that Ruth's vision and that of Dr Stephen Ng, along with their colleagues and families has come to fruition with the creation of the Te Rau Oranga Fund, a fund now open to public donations through Moment...