After a long and notable career in the US Air Force, Dr Joe Browne found his military journey evolving into a fulfilling life of rural healthcare in Aotearoa New Zealand. With a background steeped in service and adaptability, Dr Browne’s story is a remarkable testament to the power of following one’s passions across borders and industries.
His introduction to Aotearoa came by chance in 1993 when a military hop brought him to Christchurch during his time as an ICBM missile launcher for the Air Force. This brief encounter with New Zealand left a lasting impression on him, sparking a dream to return. “I fell in love with the country,” he reminisces, “and if I followed my dreams of becoming an Air Force doctor, I knew I could come back.” During this time, some of his most cherished memories from his early ventures to New Zealand involved travelling through the rural South Island with a friend, staying in bed and breakfasts and experiencing the local hospitality firsthand.
True to his word, Joe returned in 2010 as a physician and wanted to share his peaceful place, New Zealand, with his family before his deployment to Afghanistan in 2011. After retiring from the United States Air Force in 2013, he returned in 2017 for one year to work on the rugged South Islands, West Coast of New Zealand in Greymouth as a General Practitioner.
Joe embraced a new chapter in his career working on the South Island’s East coast, in rural Oamaru, as a ‘Rural Physician’, mainly in the Emergency Department. He appreciates the slower pace of life in these rural areas, where he can make a meaningful impact on underserved populations while forming strong connections with his colleagues and patients.
Adjusting to rural New Zealand has been smooth for Joe. He finds the healthcare system here much more accessible than in the US, where exorbitant medical costs are often a barrier to care. Growing up in a military family, where socialised medicine was the norm, he appreciates New Zealand’s public healthcare system. “In the US, I had to worry about whether my patients could afford the care they needed,” he explains.
“Here, it might take a while to be seen, but at least the price is affordable.”
One challenge Joe has encountered is the shortage of GPs in rural areas. The triage system means patients sometimes wait hours to be seen, as emergency cases take precedence. Despite these challenges, he finds the slower pace and understanding nature of rural communities refreshing compared to the more demanding environment in the US.
Dr Browne has also made strong connections within the community. One of the most unique aspects of his work in rural New Zealand is the presence of his “Service Dog” and loyal companion Hank, who has become an integral part of his routine at Oamaru Hospital Emergency Department.
He shares how Hank is becoming a welcome addition to both his patients and the rest of his team. Hank’s presence is precious in the often-understaffed rural clinics, where long waiting times can leave patients uneasy.
This simple connection often opens the door for more relaxed and personal conversations during consultations, making Dr Browne’s work easier and more fulfilling.
Hank’s positive influence extends beyond just the patients; the clinic staff also benefit from his calming presence. In a high-pressure environment where back-to-back appointments and emergencies are the norm, Hank provides a sense of calm that helps relieve stress for everyone in the clinic.
As for the future, Joe is considering residency and potentially citizenship in New Zealand, drawn by the lifestyle, the beautiful landscapes, and the genuine gratitude of the people he serves. “There’s no litigiousness here. People are happy and grateful—it’s mutual,” he says.
With the opportunity to stay close to his family and enjoy the slower pace of rural life, Joe highly recommends the experience to other overseas doctors considering locum work in New Zealand.
In his own words: “I love New Zealand, and I love working here.”
