Our team

Dr Elliott Brenman

BMedSci, BMBS, MRCP (UK), FRACP

Specialties: Genitourinary, Gynaecological, Lung, Melanoma

Dr Elliott Brenman is a general Medical Oncologist with a special interest in genitourinary, gynaecological and lung cancers.

Elliott graduated from Nottingham Medical School (UK) in 2006 and spent 4 years working in hospitals in the UK. During that time he gained full membership to the Royal College of Physicians (UK). In 2010 he moved to New Zealand and decided to settle permanently. Elliott conducted his oncology specialist training at Waikato and Auckland Hospitals. Elliott has a passion for teaching and education. He was the first ever trainee to sit on the Royal Collage advisory board for Oncology Training in New Zealand. He regularly teaches students at all levels from medical school through to doctors advanced training in Oncology.

During his career Elliott has been heavily involved in cancer research. He has been an investigator in numerous phase I, II, and III clinical trials. In 2014 he was granted a fellowship to attend the ACORD workshop where he wrote a research protocol for an international cancer trial conducted throughout Australia and New Zealand. In 2014 the New Zealand Society for Oncology awarded him the prize for clinical research in recognition of his study into the outcomes from ovarian cancer in New Zealand women.

Elliott completed his specialist training in 2015. He spent a year working as a consultant in both public and private hospitals in Auckland. At this time he also conducted a clinical research fellowship through the University of Auckland. In 2016 Elliott moved to the Bay of Plenty to take up a permanent Medical Oncology position in Tauranga Hospital.

Elliott prides himself on clear communication and his patient-centered approach; tailoring cancer treatment to suit each patient’s individual needs.

Dr Michelle Head

BHB, MBChB, FRACP

Specialties: Breast, Head & Neck, Gastrointestinal, Lymphoma, Lung, Melanoma

Dr Michelle Head is trained as a general oncologist, with a special interest in a number of tumour types, including breast, head & neck, lung and gastrointestinal cancers. She also has an active interest and welcomes referrals for patients with melanoma and lymphoma.

Dr Head was raised in the Waikato/Bay of Plenty region and attended Katikati College. She graduated from Auckland University in 2002 and completed Medical Oncology training in 2011, having worked in a number of New Zealand centres.

Dr Head has been an investigator on more than 20 clinical trials, and has published in peer reviewed journals. She also works at the Bay of Plenty District Health Board, where she has assisted in protocol development in the Medical Oncology Unit. She is a Clinical Teaching Supervisor for senior nursing staff and involved in teaching of junior doctors and medical students.

Dr Head has a strong interest in the psychosocial and survivorship aspects of oncology, and was a founding member of the Waikato/Bay of Plenty Psycho-Oncology Forum.

Outside of work, Dr Head can often be found running with her border collies.

Dr Joanna Jones

BHB, MBChB, Clin Dip Pall Med, FRACP

Specialties: Breast, Gynaecological

Dr Joanna Jones is a Medical Oncologist with a special interest in Breast and Gynaecological cancers.

Joanna graduated from the University of Auckland Medical School in 2005. In 2009 she completed a Clinical Diploma of Palliative Medicine and became a Fellow of the Royal Australasian College of Physicians in 2013.

After graduation Joanna worked in Auckland before moving to Australia to complete her specialist training in medical oncology. She trained at many of the large tertiary and regional centres in South East Queensland including Royal Brisbane Hospital, Princess Alexandra Hospital and Mater Adult Hospital. In 2012 she was awarded a fellowship to attend the ACORD protocol development workshop. Her research focussed on symptom management for advanced gynaecological cancers.

In 2014, Joanna returned to New Zealand with her husband and young family to take up a position as Medical Oncologist at Tauranga Hospital.

Joanna combines clear communication and a patient focussed approach to care. Compassion, empathy and attention to symptom management are all integral parts of Joanna’s approach.

Dr Richard North

BHB, MBChB, FRACP

Specialties: Genitourinary, Gastrointestinal, Head & Neck, Lung, Lymphoma, Melanoma

Richard North trained as a general medical oncologist but maintains specific interests in gastro-intestinal and lung cancers along with melanoma.

He trained in Auckland and Waikato before moving to Newcastle in Australia to complete his fellowship training. Newcastle boasts a large cancer centre and includes the ANZ Breast Cancer Trials Unit and the Newcastle Melanoma Unit.

Richard came to Tauranga in 2008 and was the first medical oncologist based in Tauranga & Whakatane. He has been instrumental in building and expanding the service over the years. He has a passion for the people in the Bay of Plenty and his goal is to provide the optimal oncology experience for patients from the region.

Richard is, and has been the principal investigator in a large number of phase III multinational trials in oncology since moving to Tauranga in 2008.

At a National level Richard has been a member of Cancer Control New Zealand and is currently the chair of the Medical Oncology Work Group, a ministry of health committee dedicated to improving Medical Oncology services throughout the country.

Richard has a passion for medical education and has a academic position with the University of Auckland School of Medicine to teach both 4 th year and final year medical students based in the BOP. He is an examiner for the Royal Australasian College of Physicians.

Richard’s primary focus in oncology is to provide the best advice, care and support possible for patients with this terrible illness. This involves drug treatments but also excellent liaison with other services such as radiation oncology, surgery and palliative care when appropriate.

Outside of work Richard has a wife and 2 children. He is a devoted Christian with a strong faith. He sometimes goes running, but usually regrets it.