The Republic of MedRecruit

The Republic of MedRecruit - one place, wherever you are, to make your current dreams your future reality

Sam founded MedRecruit in 2006 with the clear and passionate vision of improving the lives of all doctors in Australasia. Sam graduated from Otago Medical School in 2003. After starting work as a doctor he saw how many of his class mates and colleagues were becoming disillusioned with medicine while some were doing things differently and loved it. Sam decided to go locuming in Australia to join the ones who loved it! After experiencing a number of different recruitment agencies Sam realised that doctors deserved much better; they deserved a partner to assist them to realise their goals, dreams and ambitions, so in 2006 Sam founded MedRecruit. Sam’s passion, energy and enthusiasm for partnering with doctors has seen MedRecruit grow rapidly; MedRecruit was named the fastest growing Business Services Business in the Deloitte Fast 50. Sam continues to be passionate about improving the lives of all doctors in Australasia, about partnering with doctors to let them know it’s OK to dream and to assist them to achieve their dreams. Sam lives in Queenstown with his wife Claire, their daughter Zara and their dog Ernie. Sam is a New Zealand extreme skiing champion and also loves water skiing, surfing and mountain biking.

Claire was instrumental in assisting Sam to start MedRecruit and to launch it across Australasia. Claire has an extensive background in media and communications and graduated from Otago University with a BA then gained her post-graduate diploma in journalism at Massey University in Wellington. Claire left a public relations career in order to assist Sam in bringing what they see as a fantastic opportunity to as many doctors as possible. Claire is also a keen skier and is currently a full-time mother to their baby Zara. She still assists MedRecruit with PR and media relations.

Ernie is the Hazledine’s staffy and likes to think of himself as MedRecruit’s mascot. He’s always up for an office visit to lift the team’s spirits, and to check to rubbish bins for food! Ernie’s passions include going for walks around his kingdom to make sure all is well, helping Sam run MedRecruit and sneaking into bed with Claire and Sam on cold nights.

Phil joined MedRecruit in 2011 as Chief Financial Officer. He has 14 years experience in accounting is a qualified Chartered Accountant. Phil spent 10 years in a commercial environment primarily in a New Zealand software development company exporting worldwide. He is passionate about business strategies and efficiency, and also claims to have some massive spreadsheets in his possession. When at play Phil can often be found climbing the local hills and mountains with Fiancé Leigh and their dog Molly will be scouting around too. And then don't be surprised to find them eating Arrowtown out of food after their scramblings in the outdoors!

Ush joined the MedRecruit team in 2008. She has a BA Hons in Business Management and a background in retail and operations management with a strong focus on people management and control, as well as consistency of systems and processes. It’s only natural then that Ush’s role is Operations/HR Manager at MedRecruit. Her focus in the last 12 months has been to drive the development of MedRecruit’s IT platform to streamline MedRecruit’s premium service to doctors. Ush’s other focus is the MedRecruit team - building an empowered and informed team and creating an environment where people love coming to work (which they do!). Originally from London, Ush arrived in New Zealand in 2003 for a holiday and never left. Although Ush has fallen in love with skiing since living in Queenstown, she will find any excuse to head off to the warmth of our Gold Coast office.

Rachel is MedRecruit’s Communications Manager. Her total ‘reason for being’ is to ensure that a MedRecruit doctor’s experience is remarkable and unrivalled. And she loves it! Rachel graduated from Canterbury University with a BA and had a long career in recruitment and pharmaceutical sales before establishing her own business as a financial advisor in 2006. In that same year, Rachel’s mother Leonie, died from Ovarian Cancer. Rachel and her sister Jackie promised Leonie they would raise awareness of ovarian cancer and went on one year later to found the NZ Gynaecological Cancer Foundation to educate and support NZ women. Although she lives in Queenstown Rachel is not a skier, she prefers to be on her mountain bike or supping on a good strong latte any (warm) day. The three loves of her life are Hemi her husband, and Dotti and Kev her fox terriers!

Originally from the UK, Henry arrived in New Zealand in 2007 and joined MedRecruit soon after, becoming MedRecruit’s first employee.  Henry is based in MedRecruit's Gold Coast office, and worked in our New Zealand office until late 2011. He is responsible for business development and managing the Solutions Specialist teams in both Australia and New Zealand.  He is passionate about helping doctors GO FURTHER in Australasia and providing an exceptional service to the hospitals who need them!  As an avid sportsman, when not at work you will most likely find Henry hitting the ball rather well on the tennis court or trying to find his ball on the golf course!  

Karen joined the MedRecruit Team in 2011. Karen is responsible for overseeing the accounts department for MedRecruit for both NZ and Australia. Karen brings a wealth of experience to her role at MedRecruit from previous management roles in customer service, accounts and office management. Karen is the go-to girl for all things related to accounts – so she’s accustomed to being sweet talked by doctors and the MedRecruit team! Karen’s interest in fashion and interior design is evident in her personal style and the special touches she’s put on the MedRecruit office. Karen hails from Timaru, NZ and is a country girl at heart! Karen and her husband Troy and daughter Louryn left Christchurch, NZ for the sandy beaches of the Gold Coast five years ago. When Karen’s not crunching numbers she enjoys taking advantage of the beautiful beaches of Eastern Australia, she is also a whiz in the kitchen and enjoys whipping up meals and entertaining for the people she loves.

Originally from Ireland, Noelle worked as a Chemistry Laboratory Technician in UCG hospital for two years before completing her specialty in Medical/Pharmaceutical Chemistry in London. She travelled for four years before settling in Queenstown after breaking her leg on a jet ski! Noelle has worked with MedRecruit for three years as a Solutions Specialist. Fortunately for us, she tried to return home to Ireland once but missed Queenstown so much and has settled here for good!

Hayley joined the MedRecruit team in 2009, armed with a BA in Psychology and English Literature and several successful years in technology sales. Hayley genuinely thrives on delivering great service and hunting for that perfect solution as a Solutions Specialist. Hayley is a Kiwi but has been working on her Aussie accent because it is the Australian locum scene that she is passionate about, and expert in. One of her specialties is finding doctors’ positions in beachside locations so they can really live the dream lifestyle! When she isn’t at MedRecruit HQ you’ll find Hayley at large in the great Queenstown outdoors doing something adventurous or at home doing something domestic, like whipping up a batch of cookies.

With a BA Hons in Digital Art and Photography to his name, Paul left University in London in search of a challenge. After two years of successful media sales Paul applied his communication skills to the recruitment industry where he worked for a further two years supplying staffing solutions to the fashion industry. He’s adamant that meeting a kiwi was the best thing that ever happened to him, and he left London and the sandy shores of his home and family in Cornwall to begin a new life in New Zealand. As a keen snowboarder and experienced windsurfer Queenstown offers the perfect setting. Now a family man with two young children, Paul has settled in Queenstown and offers unparalleled service to both his clients and his colleagues at MedRecruit as Solutions Specialist.

Rochelle is a kiwi, hailing from the Catlins in New Zealand’s South Island. She completed a Bachelor of Nursing Degree and then moved across the ditch for five years to explore Australia. Rochelle began her recruitment career whilst in Perth, and later joined MedRecruit in 2009. She has a special knack for listening to doctors and tailoring solutions that deliver everything they want and need. Outside of work Rochelle keeps herself busy spending time with her husband Mike, riding her horse Jaffa and walking her dog Joey on their lifestyle property near Wanaka. She loves the outdoors, especially getting out in the boat on the West Coast or heading up the mountain snowboarding.

Rob has lived on the beautiful Gold Coast all of his life and joined the MedRecruit team in 2011. With his passion for helping people and his desire to work in a fun and supportive work environment, he saw MedRecruit as the perfect match.  He has over 10 years experience in the sales and customer service industry, so when you speak with Rob, you can be assured that he will not only look after you, but do whatever it takes to make sure that you get exactly what you want.  He believes life is for living and keeping the balance in all areas is vitally important for good health, happiness and fulfilment, which is why he does whatever it takes to place doctors in roles and locations that not only pay well, but also give doctors the lifestyle they desire and deserve. When he’s not at work, he’s either home playing with the chickens, walking on the beach or tearing up a dance floor somewhere on the Gold Coast.

Jade joined MedRecruit as a Solutions Specialist in 2011 after relocating from Auckland, New Zealand to the sunny Gold Coast.  Jade and her partner had a goal to ‘live the dream’ and live the relaxed lifestyle on the Sunny Coast, taking a step back from the busy city life.

Jade is very passionate about health and fitness and worked in Auckland as a Personal Trainer helping people reach their health and fitness goals, and prior to that Jade worked as an Account Manager for a print & design and international express freight company, giving her over 6 years’ experience in sales and account management.

Jade is a people person and passionate about helping them whether it be helping them to lose a few kilo’s or tailoring a solution that’s just the right fit for them.  Jade is also known to love a good boogie and let loose every now and again, with a dancing background turn on the music and she’s off! If she’s not dancing she’s at the gym or walking along the beautiful beaches in the Gold Coast.

Jane is a kiwi who headed to Australia after receiving her Travel and Tourism degree. She has spent three years living and working in some amazing locations, including Bondi Beach and the beautiful Whitsundays. After experiencing diverse landscapes and ticking off a few must do activities like diving the great barrier reef, four wheel driving on Fraser Island and visiting Australia Zoo Jane has returned to Queenstown to indulge her passion for snowboarding. Jane specialises in supporting doctors with their Australian placements, ensuring every work related detail is taken care of so they can experience the same locations she enjoyed so much.

Emma joined the MedRecruit team in April 2010 as one of our Placement Coordinators. Prior to this she had been practicing Occupational Therapy in Invercargill for three years. She finds her OT background beneficial in this role and has realised how transferrable her OT skills are to a wide range of different situations. She particularly enjoys getting to know doctors and the hospitals she assists, and is keen to hear what they’ve been doing. Emma loves spending her spare time with family and friends. She also enjoys playing social sport, particularly netball.

Nickky is a 2011 MedRecruit recruit! She is a Placement Coordinator based in our Tweed Heads office. Originally from Christchurch she made the move across the ditch in October 2010. Nickky’s focus is on providing exceptional service and optimum efficiency. She comes from a loyalty and incentive background so really understands what drives us all. When Nickky is not at work you will find her enjoying time with friends and family and utilising all Australia has to offer as a keen lover of water sports and fashion. She has travelled the world extensively, and has settled on the Gold Coast with the MedRecruit team.

Originally from the North Island of NZ, Kirsteen is now a thoroughly converted Southerner - embracing all the South Island has to offer! With a Bachelor Degree (Hons) in Industrial Design, she brings the balance of technical and creativity to the marketing department, and loves the diversity of her role as Communications Coordinator. Kirsteen and her fiance, Ryan, enjoy exploring the untouched areas surrounding Queenstown and usually have a story or two of some hair raising cliff-top adventure.

Gillian arrived in Queenstown 25 years ago for a few weeks and never left. During the winter season she keeps the home fires burning for husband Ed who often has to be the first person up and last down from the Remarkables Ski Field. Gillian is also a very proud Mum to Hamish who recently completed his commercial helicopter licence the week of his 21st birthday. When she is not in the office she can be found on the many tracks around Arrowtown which is home, and Gillian is sure there is still gold in that river yet to be panned by her!

In 2011 Louise relocated to the Gold Coast from England, with her Australian boyfriend who she met in London. His love of surf and sand prompted the move, and although Louise is a city girl, she’s adapting to her new lifestyle well! She has found a passion for the outdoor lifestyle, and enjoys camping on the beach, 4WD adventures, diving and bush walking. Louise graduated with BA (Hons) in Printed Textiles and continues to be creative by enjoying the arts and theatre, making gift cards and drawing/painting. She has previously worked as a buyer in the fashion industry, most recently moved into the medical recruitment industry in London, before joining MedRecruit’s Gold Coast team. Her one weakness? She can’t resist the shop (who could after working as a buyer!).

Michelle joined the MedRecruit team in 2011. Michelle is the human jukebox of the Australian office and always has a smile on her face. Michelle is an administration superstar with a focus on delivering well earned cash to MedRecruit doctors! Michelle is popular with doctors and Solutions Specialists for being super-efficient, pro-active and always having a positive attitude. Michelle is originally from Waihi, NZ , but has jumped the ditch to enjoy all the opportunities Australia has to offer. When she isn’t seamlessly organising doctor’s payments, she can be found under the sea – scuba diving. Michelle also enjoys playing an active role in the lives of her gorgeous niece and nephew.

Bonnie is the bubbly voice you hear on the phone when you call – our amazing behind the scenes organiser, when the team need something done Bonnie is the one to take care of it! As MedRecruit’s Office Assistant, she can turn her hand to anything with her practical mind and ‘can do’ attitude. After spending 6 years travelling Bonnie has settled into the vibe of Queenstown and lapping up all it has to offer. When Bonnie is not at work you will find her spending quality time with her friends and family. She is also a very keen and talented sportswoman dabbling in a number of different sports throughout the week.