Ka mua, ka muri
Walking backwards into the future
Braemar hospital is a modern surgical facility offering some of the most advanced and complex procedures you or your whānau might need. Our specialists are among New Zealand’s best. They choose to work with Braemar because our team, technology and culture support them in making life better for every one of their patients.
Braemar Hospital’s tradition of caring extends back almost a century, when the women who founded and grew Braemar set the standards of manaakitanga and professional healthcare that our patients receive every day.
In 1924, Nettie Neilson established Tirohia, a maternity hospital on Tainui Street. Nursing Sister Frances Young changed the hospital’s name to Braemar in 1926 and began offering medical and surgical services. In 1935 Sister Frances retired and passed care of the hospital to Sisters Smith and Barrett.
In the late 1940s, Te Kirihaehae Tu Puea Hērangi (Princess Te Puea), CBE presented a patu to Sister Frances Young in appreciation of the care she received at Braemar Hospital. This taonga remains on display in the hospital foyer today.
In 1970 ownership of the hospital (then owned by three local doctors) was transferred to the Braemar Hospital Charitable Trust, now known as the Braemar Charitable Trust and in 2009 the current hospital was opened.
As the needs of our community change and technology continues to evolve, Braemar will do what it’s always done: partner with New Zealand’s most talented specialists to deliver the best care possible.
Our executive team
Fiona Michel (she/her) MBA, CMInstD GAICD, FCPHR
Chief Executive Officer
Fiona is a seasoned business executive who has worked across a range of large public and private sector organisations, in New Zealand and overseas. She also holds governance roles; as member of the University of Waikato Council, Chair of the NZ Graduate School of Medicine Medical Advisory Board, Independent Director for New Zealand Medical Indemnity Insurance and Chair of the Dress for Success Hamilton charity.
Fiona holds a Master of Business Administration and is an alumnus of Harvard Business School. She is a Chartered and Graduate Member of the New Zealand Institute of Directors and the Australian Institute of Company Directors, and was a finalist in the New Zealand Women of Influence Awards in 2021.
Fiona, her husband David and son Jonathan own a small lifestyle block in Ōhaupō, complete with macadamia and citrus orchards and a small menagerie of animals.
Pru Sheahan (she/her) Registered Nurse DipN,
PGCert Advanced Clinical Assessment
General Manager Clinical Services
Pru is a registered nurse with more than 25 years’ experience across perioperative private and public healthcare sectors in New Zealand. With two decades of tenure at Braemar she has held a number of senior management roles with a focus on developing high performing teams, clinical performance improvement and ensuring health services are delivered to meet the needs of specialists and patients.
Pru completed the Community Enterprise Leadership Foundation programme (CELF) in 2024 and in 2023 completed the Executive and Performance Leadership Certificate through Cornell University in the United States. Pru is an Advisor to the New Zealand Private Surgical Hospitals Association Executive.
Pru is known for her leadership style as being focused, down to earth, approachable and sincere. She is very proud of the services Braemar delivers and believes Braemar has many points of difference which makes the organisation so successful. Pru is accountable for Patient Services, Theatres, Clinical Quality & Risk, Pre-Admission, Clinical Education, Specialist Relationships and Clinical Relationships.
Pru grew up in Cambridge and spends her time away from work with her family enjoying nature and horses.
Marc Scott (he/him) Fellow Chartered Accountant, BMS
Chief Financial Officer
Marc is a senior finance professional and Fellow Chartered Accountant, with experience across Education, Research and Electricity sectors. Marc’s previous role was with the University of Waikato, as Director of Finance and prior to that was Business Manager for St Peter’s School, Cambridge. Marc has a passion for improving the quality and depth of reporting to management and governors to improve decision making and support growth. With significant experience in campus and business development, one the highlights for Marc has been working to fund and build the national cycling velodrome in Cambridge.
Anna King (she/her) BSocSc
General Manager People & Safety
Anna joined Braemar Hospital in 2022 as the General Manager People & Safety. Anna has worked in strategic business partnering and lead employment relations roles across a range of sectors and business models having had exposure to both New Zealand and international employment frameworks. At Braemar Hospital Anna leads our Human Resources, Health & Safety, Payroll, and Communications functional areas having grown the team considerably over recent years to ensure support for our growing workforce.
Anna holds a Bachelor of Social Science with a double major in Industrial Relations and Human Resource Management, and Psychology from the University of Waikato, she has Certificates in Business Management and Adult Education & Training from Wintec and more recently Anna completed and represented the graduating class of 2023 through the Elevate Leadership Programme offered by the Community & Enterprise Leadership Foundation (CELF). Anna and her team work closely with leaders across the organisation to care excellently for our people, so that they can focus on delivering excellent care.
Anna grew up in a small South Island town, Rangiora, and spent time living in various parts of the North Island until she came across the Waikato. Anna and her family are now very well-established in Hamilton city, and proudly call the Waikato home.
Leigh Singers (she/her)
General Manager Commercial Services
Leigh joined Braemar Hospital in 2022 as the General Manager Commercial Services. A registered nurse by profession, Leigh is a dynamic, respected health manager with extensive experience in nursing and business management roles in the public health sector, complemented by skills gained with a private sector healthcare capacity planning software vendor. Over her career Leigh has held a number of Service Manager roles at Waikato District Health Board including in Surgery, Integrated Operation and Planned Care, and has delivered a range of projects that have delivered sustained value to the DHB.
Leigh is accountable for campus planning and development, commercial contract negotiations and new commercial opportunities, procurement and stores, property and facilities, hospital services (non-clinical), market intelligence and partner relationships.
Leigh has a Graduate Diploma in Management Studies from the University of Waikato, and has a Diploma in Comprehensive Nursing. When not at work Leigh enjoys swimming for fitness (and the odd event), gardening, and spending time at the beach with her husband Andrew and two adult sons.
Our board
Graeme Milne ONZM
Chair
Graeme Milne has been Chair of Braemar Hospital since his appointment in October 2020.
Graeme is a qualified biochemical engineer and worked initially in the pharmaceutical and brewing industries before holding several senior executive roles in New Zealand and overseas, including CEO of Bay Milk Products, CEO of New Zealand Dairy Group, CEO of Bonlac in Australia and CEO of Richmond Ltd.
He has extensive governance experience as a professional director and chair. He has been a past director of Genesis Energy and chair of the Waikato DHB and is currently a Ministerial appointee to the University of Waikato’s Council, a role he has held since 2017.
In 2013 Mr Milne was made an Officer of the New Zealand Order of Merit in the Queen’s Birthday honours for services to health and the dairy industry.
Renae Smart
Independent Director
Renae Smart is the co-founder and Executive Director of Hamilton infrastructure construction company Civtec.
With more than 20 years of global experience in technology and business management, Renae has worked across multiple industries in software consulting, programme and supply chain management.
A Chartered Director, Renae holds several governance positions in the infrastructure and healthcare sectors, including Director of Hamilton Airport. She was previously an independent trustee for Braemar Charitable Trust, Braemar Hospital’s 100% shareholder.
Bella Takiari-Brame
Independent Director
Bella is Ngāti Maniapoto and Waikato-Tainui. She is a Professional Director, Fellow Chartered Accountant and Chartered Member of the Institute of Directors. Bella has global experience in oil and gas and utility industries and is the former GM Finance for WEL Networks.
She is the Deputy Chair of Te Nehenehenui Trust, a Board member of ACC, Director on Te Ohu Kai Moana and Moana Fisheries, and is an Independent Director on Accordant Group, NZ Health Investments Limited, and Braemar Hospital.
Bella was born in Te Kūiti and raised in Māhoenui and attended secondary school in Piopio.
Ian Dingwall
Independent Director
Ian Dingwall is a retired orthopaedic surgeon and was appointed to the Braemar Hospital board in May 2026. Following a career of more than 30 years, Ian retired from his Hamilton-based surgery practice in 2025 and was granted Medical Associate Alumni status.
Ian previously served eight years as a Medical Trustee on the Braemar Charitable Trust board until 2020, where he was instrumental in helping guide new policies and protocols for the Trust.
Tim Starkie BMedSci, BMBS, FRCA, FANZCA, MClinEd
Director
Trained in the UK, Tim Starkie moved to New Zealand in 2013 where he worked as a specialist anaesthetist in both public and private health systems across a diverse range of clinical practice.
He has wider interests in quality improvement and training and has contributed to several academic publications.
A supporter of community health, Tim has also provided his services pro-bono for surgeries with Braemar Charitable Trust’s Community Surgery Programme.
Katie Ayers BDS, MDS, PhD, PGDip
Director
Katie Ayers is a Specialist Paediatric Dentist with a passion for optimal dental health and quality dentistry for children. She currently works in private practice at the Anglesea Medical Precinct and has been a Medical Associate at Braemar Hospital since 2004.
Her governance experience includes serving as a Trustee and Director of Medical Assurance Society and on the New Zealand Dental Association Board, including as President. Katie has a Postgraduate Diploma in Management (Governance) and is a chartered member of the Institute of Directors.
She is a member of the New Zealand Dental Association, the Australasian Academy of Paediatric Dentistry, and the Australasian Society of Paediatric Dentistry.
Katie is also a Medical Trustee on the Braemar Charitable Trust board and has provided many pro-bono surgeries for children in need of urgent dental treatment.
Glen Devcich MB ChB 1993 Otago; FRACS (Urol) 2004
Director
Glen Devcich is an experienced urologist working privately at Hamilton Urology and as a consultant urologist at Waikato Hospital.
He is committed to the improvement of urological outcomes in public and private healthcare and has a wide specialty range, including prostate cancer management, urological oncology, endoscopic laser treatment and lithotripsy, and general urology.
He has been a Fellow of the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons (Urology) – New Zealand since 2004.
Our owner and 100% shareholder
Braemar Charitable Trust owns Braemar Hospital as its major asset. The Trust, which celebrated 50 years in 2021, exists to improve health outcomes in the Waikato region. It does this via charitable activities, including free community surgeries, scholarships and more to boost health equity. Fees received by the Hospital are spent on maintaining our services and providing dividends to the Trust to make a difference in our communities