Member Spotlight: Lisa deWolfe

Tēnā koutou kātoa. Ko Lisa Fitzgerald deWolfe, Physician Associate. I completed my training in Boston, MA, before moving to rural Maine, where I pursued my career, volunteered, and raised four children. As a Physician Associate in central Maine, I practised across several medical disciplines, serving towns with populations of approximately 7,000. My foundational experience in emergency medicine, general practice, and urgent care shaped my clinical expertise and solidified my commitment to rural health. Early in my career, I was fortunate to have the opportunity to work at a family medicine residency program, which enhanced my understanding of providing care to patients and their whānau. Subsequently, I dedicated part-time service to underserved populations through free clinics both locally and internationally. The relationships forged with patients and their whānau were instrumental in delivering effective healthcare. Practicing in a small town enabled meaningful engagement with the community. I was fortunate to hold leadership roles within our local health network to steer positive change to support our medical teams in improving care for patients. I worked for many years in a rural clinic with my husband, who was also my colleague, until we both retired early due to concerns about the structure of the US healthcare system. We decided it was time to relocate to Kaitaia, Aotearoa, to continue our work in an area with significant need. At that time, we were unaware that Te Hiku-o-te-ika would become our place of residence. It was both an honour and an adjustment to join a new community and have the opportunity to learn to work in a clinic alongside a dedicated team providing high-quality, whānau-centred care. We had an opportunity to support the health needs of whānau, hapū, Iwi, and communities in the distinctive Far North region, often referred to as the “tail of the fish.” This area of Aotearoa is recognised for its numerous sacred and culturally significant sites, contributing to its unique character. However, the region frequently experiences resource shortages; our continued presence here led to my involvement in fostering the emerging profession of Physician Associates during its developmental stage.

My introduction to Hauora Taiwhenua occurred in 2019 during a meeting with a staff member to discuss ongoing initiatives of the Physician Associate profession and its potential for supporting rural healthcare teams. Recognising the significance of these efforts, the New Zealand Physician Associate Society (NZPAS), under my leadership as president, began monitoring this rural engagement of the network, reflecting our commitment to improving access to high-quality care. My interests on enhancing care accessibility, promoting cultural safety, and upholding best practices aligned with my advocacy and my potential role to increase rural health support. I subsequently became a member to further contribute to and support Hauora Taiwhenua and its rural health advocacy across Aotearoa.

A major challenge in Aotearoa, particularly within rural regions, is ensuring consistent care due to restricted access to healthcare services. Shortages in resources, coupled with geographic isolation and insufficient funding for hospitals and workforce development, contribute to poorer patient outcomes and increased health disparities when compared to areas with more robust access. My current priority is to enhance infrastructure through engagement to help reinforce the multidisciplinary healthcare team. I am committed to advocating for general practice healthcare workers and to speak to the essential role they play, as well as the importance of timely appointments to prevent health issues from escalating to emergency situations. Such delays not only incur higher costs but also result in suboptimal health outcomes. Effective workforce placement and targeted retention strategies for healthcare professionals are vital for success, alongside ensuring funding levels improve for the populations that need it most.

The NZPAS and Physician Associates are committed to helping address some healthcare gaps in rural areas by introducing highly trained and regulated professionals to enhance team capacity and deliver quality care. A significant challenge for Physician Associates in New Zealand is limited awareness within the broader health sector, which can lead to confusion and resistance to change. To address this, ongoing efforts are underway to provide information and engage with communities and the wider health workforce, ensuring clarity regarding the role of physician associates within multidisciplinary teams.

Physician Associates and the NZPAS are pleased to report that the contributions made by the profession have been met with high satisfaction rates among both communities and the workforce. Their expert guidance and diligent efforts were instrumental in establishing a strong case for regulation, leading to the Medical Council of New Zealand being designated as the regulatory authority. This ensures that the public can trust this emerging profession to address healthcare gaps while upholding patient safety.

Te Tūāpapa o He Pikorua. It is essential to engage with others, keep an open-minded approach, and share experiences when joining a community or working within a service-oriented sector. It has been a pleasure and a privilege to work and live in Kaitaia. Listening, observation, and meaningful engagement laid the foundation for my work alongside sharing key information about my role, enabling individuals and their whānau to understand its relevance.

All providers in healthcare need to work together to improve health care delivery and empower patients to seek the care they deserve and need. This is essential for success because we are all on the same team.

For further details about the profession or to seek support concerning any questions about the role Physician Associates play in addressing workforce shortages, please do not hesitate to contact me or the society.

nzpasociety@gmail.com  or lisa@nzpas.org.nz