New appointments for BreastScreen Aotearoa

Chrystal O’Connor, Senior Portfolio Manager
Chrystal has recently returned to New Zealand after five years working in the UK’s National Health Service where her roles included health promotion coordinator for a breast screening service provider, project officer implementing a national cardiovascular risk assessment programme for a primary care trust and public health lead for long-term conditions for a local authority in London. Prior to her time in the UK, Chrystal worked for Public Health South after completing her Master’s in Public Health. Chrystal is based in Auckland and her BSA role is managing relationships and contracts with BSA service providers, including independent service providers targeting priority women.

Adele Knowles, Senior Portfolio Manager
Adele comes to BSA from the Ministry of Health’s Primary Care team, where she worked as a senior advisor. Prior to that she was primary and community care portfolio manager, planning and funding at Southern District Health Board (DHB). She is a former nurse, midwife, nurse director and regional manager in DHB and private laboratory environments. Adele is based in Wellington and, like Chrystal, her BSA role is managing relationships and contracts with BSA service providers, including independent service providers targeting priority women.

Niki Penberthy, Senior Portfolio Manager
Niki is with the BSA team for a short time to complete a review of the BSA audit approach in time for the 2015 provider audits. Niki has worked in the National Health Board operational arm, Sector Services, for a number of years as manager of the contact centre and in various payment and processing teams over the years. With a move to Wellington 18 months ago, Niki joined the Rheumatic Fever Prevention Programme as business and contracts manager. In addition to the BSA audit work, Niki will be building relationships and managing contracts with BSA service providers, including independent service providers targeting priority women.