Braemar Hospital

🏆 Celebrating Exceptional Leadership Congratulations to our CEO, Fiona Michel, on being named CEO of the Year at the 2025 Waikato Chamber of Commerce Business Awards, proudly sponsored by the University of Waikato. This award recognises Chief Executives and Managing Directors who demonstrate exemplary leadership - evaluated on company performance, personal contribution, leadership qualities, and the esteem in which they are held by peers. Fiona embodies a style of leadership that's becoming increasingly rare and increasingly vital: humble, people-first, and focused on enabling others to succeed. She doesn't seek the spotlight — she shines it on her team. As Braemar Hospital prepares to celebrate our 100th year in 2026, this recognition is a wonderful reflection of the values and leadership that will carry us into our next century. Congratulations, Fiona, this recognition is so well deserved! 👏 Also well done Braemar Charitable Trust for winning the For Purpose Category. Great work from the Braemar family. @waikatochamber #Leadership #CEOoftheYear #WaikatoBusinessAwards #BusinessExcellence #BraemarHospital #ServantLeadership #100Years

After 99 years of caring for the Waikato community, we've just made history. 🤖 Last week, Braemar Hospital successfully completed the region's first robotic surgery using the da Vinci surgical system. Dr Tarek Saleh performed a robotic hysterectomy on Samantha Akhtar, who had endured 18 months of severe pain. For Samantha, this wasn't just a regional first – it was life-changing. "This surgery has given me the freedom to be me again," she shared. What made this milestone truly special? The people. Charge nurse Sonia, anaesthetist Rob, and Dr Saleh created an environment where cutting-edge technology met genuine, compassionate care. That's the Braemar Way. The benefits of robotic surgery are significant: quicker recovery, reduced pain, smaller incisions, and lower complication risks. Dr Saleh reflects: "I feel really lucky being the first surgeon to do robotics in the Waikato. It will be wonderful to see many more surgeons follow, and the Waikato will finally be a robotic surgery region.” What's Next? 🤖Robotic theatre four days per week 🩺 Expansion across gynaecology, urology, and general surgery 🏥 Ongoing team training and development As we approach our 100th year in 2026, this milestone reminds us why we're here: to bring world-class care to our community, delivered with the heart and expertise that defines who we are. Read Samantha's full story on our website. https://lnkd.in/gDghWkfr #RoboticSurgery #HealthcareInnovation #WaikatoHealthcare #PatientCare #SurgicalExcellence #BraemarHospital

Braemar Hospital is proud to announce a significant milestone in New Zealand's private healthcare sector. We're now the first private hospital in the country to offer endoscopic vein harvesting (EVH) technology for coronary artery bypass grafting surgery. This minimally invasive technique replaces traditional large incisions (up to 80cm) with just three small incisions, delivering substantial benefits: ❤️🩹Dramatically reduced scarring ❤️🩹Significantly less post-operative pain ❤️🩹Faster patient mobility and recovery ❤️🩹Lower infection risk Through a collaborative team approach, our cardiothoracic surgeons and Registered Nurse First Surgical Assistants work in parallel to optimise surgical efficiency and patient outcomes. Since the start of the year, we've successfully performed this procedure with excellent results. This advancement represents our ongoing commitment to bringing world-class cardiac care to New Zealand patients. Learn more about this groundbreaking technique ➡️ https://lnkd.in/ePt-Qzxn #Healthcare #CardiacSurgery #Innovation #PatientCare #NewZealandHealthcare

🚀 PRACTICE MAKES PERFECT   Our Braemar Hospital surgical robotic team is in full swing with training, getting ready for the milestone of our first da Vinci procedure in the Waikato in October. Simulation training in the theatre environment is an essential part of training. The “dry run” simulations held recently saw our staff demonstrate the Braemar Way with focus and a passion to embrace a new era of surgery and patient care. Every step of this journey has been carefully planned: ✅ Robot installed and tested ✅ Surgeons trained and credentialed ✅ Staff prepared and protocols established ✅ Patient safety measures verified. The future of surgery in the Waikato is almost here. We're proud to be leading this transformation in healthcare technology in our region.  Our da Vinci robot enables surgeons to perform complex procedures through tiny incisions, meaning: • Less pain for you • Smaller scars • Quicker recovery • Earlier return to normal activities. This is what innovation looks like when it's focused on making lives better.    #MilestoneMoment #SurgicalInnovation #ReadyToLaunch 

The Braemar Way is proudly making its way into the newly established New Zealand Graduate School of Medicine. Our Braemar Hosptial chief executive Fiona Michel, recently appointed to the University of Waikato Council, has been named as Chair of the expert advisory board to guide the establishment of the University of Waikato’s New Zealand Graduate School of Medicine. https://lnkd.in/grjJHAMg The Medical Advisory Board includes leaders with diverse knowledge and experience from across the country’s health sector. And Braemar cardiothoracic surgeon David McCormack has been appointed Professor of Health and Interim Dean of Medicine at the University of Waikato. He will be taking on a key leadership role within the newly established school, which is scheduled to open in 2028. https://lnkd.in/gF-UzFvh It’s great to see Braemar staff playing a key role in helping address the country’s workforce shortages in primary care and rural communities, along with building on vital connections through the many stakeholders which support the medical school. Well done. 👏❤️🩹

🎮 PRECISION CONTROL: How to Master the da Vinci Here’s a cool work story! This week our Braemar Hospital staff from all areas and departments got hands-on experience with our new surgical robot – the da Vinci! Thanks Jonathan Cheng from Device Technologies, for running the demonstrations to get staff up close and personal with the robot and experiencing its precision control (albeit cutting and peeling cherry tomatoes!)   It’s the only surgical robot in the Waikato and it now resides permanently in Braemar Hospital’s theatres. Intensive training for surgeons and the support team is under way, with the first surgical robot cases due to occur next month.   Here's how it works: The surgeon sits at a console right next to the patient, using natural hand movements to control tiny, wristed instruments. The system provides a magnified 3D HD view of the surgical area, allowing for incredible precision and control.   It's like having superpowers - enhanced vision, steady hands, and the ability to operate through spaces smaller than a keyhole! #SurgicalTechnology #StaffEngagement #Precision

🎓 🤖SURGICAL MASTERY: Training for Excellence  Right now, our selected surgeons are getting intensive da Vinci surgical robot training at Braemar! This comprehensive programme ensures our surgical team master’s every aspect of robotic surgery before performing their first procedures.    The training covers: • System operation and safety protocols • Advanced surgical techniques • Patient selection and care pathways • Quality assurance measures.    Meet Dr Tarek Saleh, our experienced gynaecological surgeon, with a passion for advancing women’s health. He is pioneering the future of robotic surgery in the Waikato region as he currently undergoes his training at Braemar Hospital. His vision is for robotic surgery to become his “new norm.” Read his inspiring story here 👉https://lnkd.in/gsRdhiN7 #SurgicalTraining #ContinuousLearning #NewNorm

Sustainable Healthcare in Action: Growing Impact One Harvest at a Time 🌱 Brendon Rose is proud of his latest winter crop (featured)- and for good reason! For two years, he's been transforming unused space behind Braemar Hospital into a thriving organic kitchen garden that's delivering both sustainability wins and exceptional patient nutrition. The impact: ✅Zero food miles, reduced packaging waste, chemical-free growing practices, and fresh nutrients from garden to kitchen. Brendon's journey to secure this dream role wasn't easy, but with support from Selwyn Cook, Enrich Group NZ, and our hospital team, his passion has flourished into measurable environmental and health outcomes. This proves that when healthcare organisations invest in local talent and sustainable practices, everyone benefits - patients, community, and planet. What sustainable initiatives is your organisation championing? Read more about Brendon's inspiring story: https://lnkd.in/gmCAewxc #SustainableHealthcare #LocalImpact #OrganicGardening #HealthcareInnovation

💰 UNDERSTANDING ROBOTIC SURGERY COSTS      Coverage varies between providers and policies, so we encourage patients to discuss options with their insurer and specialist. While robotic procedures may have a 5-20% cost difference due to specialised consumables, this can often be offset by shorter hospital stays and faster recovery.     Our specialists in general, urological and gynaecological surgery are currently mastering innovative technology with our da Vinci Xi surgical robot at Braemar Hospital – the first of its kind in the Waikato region.      We encourage you to have conversations with your specialist on this to ensure you have all the information needed to make the best decision for your circumstances.     #HealthInsurance #PatientSupport #TransparentCare   

🔬 THE PATIENT ADVANTAGE: Why Robotic Surgery Matters Minimally invasive robotic surgery offers significant benefits: ✅ Smaller incisions = less scarring ✅ Reduced pain and discomfort ✅ Faster recovery times ✅ Shorter hospital stays ✅ Greater surgical precision with 3D HD visualization At Braemar, we're committed to making lives better through innovative technology that puts patient outcomes first. This innovation gives patients more choice at Braemar.  It doesn’t replace the quality conventional surgery we currently provide; we’ll just be giving you more choices for some procedures in the near future. #PatientCare #MinimallyInvasive #RecoveryFirst