Staff from our different locations can be found below. Please feel free to expand their information to find out more about each staff member.
Our People
Max Cavit is the founder of ABI Rehabilitation New Zealand. Max’s academic background is in philosophy, psychology and theology. He entered the health field in 1982 as the general manager of Mary Potter Hospice in Wellington and became convinced of the importance of bringing holistic clinical skill and caring together in order to enable people with a disability to ‘make the most of life’. Max remains actively involved as managing director, supporting the clinical teams and working wherever he can to build the field of brain injury rehabilitation in New Zealand. He has a strong belief in collaboration; at the individual level with clients and whānau and at the macro level with government and DHBs to improve access to services for people needing rehabilitation.
Stephanie has worked in the health sector for 30 years. As a Registered Nurse, Stephanie initially worked in neurosurgical and neurology wards both in New Zealand and the UK. Following this Stephanie gained nursing experience in general medicine, gastroenterology and clinical research. In 2003 Stephanie moved into a management role for the Health Foundation of New Zealand. Stephanie assisted with the development of a community based cardiac rehabilitation programme. Between 2007 and February 2015 Stephanie worked for two District Health Boards in their Planning and Funding Teams. The focus of this work was on long term condition services in General Practice, palliative care and cancer control. Stephanie is the Quality Risk and Compliance Manager at ABI. Stephanie is based in Auckland but works across all ABI services. Stephanie is focused on improving the overall quality of ABI service, reducing the risks that can occur to clients and staff, and complying with national and international standards for the delivery of health care services.
The position of General Manager – Business and Resources is challenging and rewarding which gives Sue the overall responsibility for business services across the organisation including Finance, Human Resources, Quality , IT and Administration. With a Post Graduate degree in Business and a background in Human Resources and Business Administration, Sue brings many years of knowledge, skills and experience to this position. Sue’s personal philosophy is that we are only limited by the limits we place on ourselves. To that end , she sees her role as helping to create an environment within ABI Rehabilitation that ensures the provision of consistently high quality services through sustainable practice and professional and committed teams.
Nina holds a Master of Commerce in Information Systems from the University of Auckland and a Bachelor of Science (Computer Science). Her practical experience as an analyst and consultant working in Business Intelligence projects for corporates in Germany comes from a wide variety of industries but primarily for Marketing and Sales departments with tasks ranging from requirement gathering, analysis and reporting to training users. Since joining ABI in 2013, Nina has continuously improved the software development processes and architecture of the company’s own innovative client management system which has led to greater reliability as well as enhanced data and reporting quality.
Rachelle worked in inpatient and community rehabilitation since 1996 and brain injury rehabilitation in residential and community settings since 2000. Rachelle has had many roles within ABI Rehabilitation since 2008, including rehab coordinator, community occupational therapist and Team Leader for ABI Rehabilitation’s concussion services. For the past year Rachelle has been employed as the community services manager. Rachelle manages the community team in Auckland as well as carries a clinical caseload. Working in the community and helping clients achieve their goals is a rewarding part of her role. Rachelle is focused on growing the community team and building excellence and skill amongst ABI’s clinicians. Rachelle has implemented strategies over the past 12 months that have improved ABI’s services.
Amado joined the ABI Rehabilitation-Wellington team in 2006 as a Speech and Language Therapist after moving from the USA to New Zealand. He brings over 28 years of experience to ABI. During the following twelve years, Amado has also filled the role of Therapy Team Leader and most recently has become the Director of Rehabilitation in Wellington. Amado has a Bachelor of Science (Honors) degree majoring in Speech Pathology, Master of Arts (coursework) – specializing in Speech and Language Pathology, and a Master of Education specializing in Special Education. Before moving to Wellington, Amado has worked in the Philippines and the USA. Amado has a creative approach to rehabilitation and is all about getting the best possible outcomes for the clients and their families.
Hailing from the US, Dr. Tanya S. Harris received her medical diploma from Philadelphia’s Temple University School of Medicine in 2002. She went on to graduate at the top of her residency at the University of Kentucky before starting her own rehabilitation practice. Drawn to neurorehabilitation, she went on to earn subspecialty board certifications in Brain Injury Medicine and Electrodiagnostic Medicine. She has had the pleasure of serving as the TBI/Polytrauma Director for Bay Pines Veterans’ Hospital where she helped bolster function and quality of life among combat veterans. She enjoys teaching at local medical schools and volunteering as a medical board examiner in her free time. She is now excited to contribute to brain injury care in New Zealand under the auspices of ABI, Auckland.
Pauline believes in a person-centred rehab approach that empowers individuals to achieve relevant, functional outcomes. This is supported by having a skilled team of rehab professionals working collaboratively with clients and families, and underpinned by organisational processes that optimise consistent quality and best practice.
Pauline graduated as a Physiotherapist in 1991, and gained a Masters of Health Science in 2007 followed by a PHD in 2014.
Pauline has over 25 years clinical experience as a physiotherapist, working in a wide variety of public and private settings, with clients from all age groups. As an executive, Pauline has held management positions in several organisations and is currently on the executive board of the Northern Rehabilitation Providers Group, and the Foster Hope charity board.
As Chief Executive of ABI Rehabilitation, Christine is responsible for the overall leadership of the company together with the Managing Director, driving the company’s strategy and growth.
Christine looks after all aspects of the company’s business and professional responsibilities working with the executive leadership team. Christine has extensive leadership experience and an in-depth understanding of the health and disability sector. She is enthusiastic about creating opportunities to achieve good outcomes for ABI Rehabilitation clients, their families and whānau.
Christine has a special interest in traumatic brain injuries, spinal cord impairment and service integration. Prior to joining ABI Rehabilitation, Christine built a successful career in the health and disability sector having led significant projects including the development of national strategies and action plans.
Graham has over 20 years’ experience in operational financial management, specializing in establishing and streamlining systems. A resourceful and innovative problem solver, he holds the firm belief that robust processes and procedures are an integral part of sound commercial management in any sector of the economy. Graham enjoys the challenge of working as part of a multidisciplinary team to ensure the highest quality service standards are delivered, to ensure positive outcomes for clients, their families and wider communities. A qualified Chartered Accountant, Graham is a member of the New Zealand Institute of Chartered Accountants and holds a commerce degree from the University of Auckland majoring in accounting.
Dr Richard Seemann is a graduate of Otago Medical School and a specialist in rehabilitation medicine who has previously worked in neurology and elder health services. He has worked for ABI Rehabilitation for 15 years, the last six as full-time director of medical services for the company. He is very enthusiastic about providing world-class rehabilitation for his patients with traumatic brain injury and other serious neurological disorders, backed up by a significant research programme, and benchmarking with similar services in Australia and the USA. He also believes in providing services specifically targeted to the needs of Maori and the varied ethnic groups that make up the population of Aotearoa/New Zealand.
Angela has worked as an RN for over 20 years. She was charge nurse at Auckland Hospital’s neurology/TBI ward for five years before moving to ABI Rehabilitation initially as nurse manager. Angela now works with admissions team and liaises with DHBs within the North Island. Following graduation, Angela completed a BHSc (Nursing) through Charles Sturt University and a MHSc (Nursing) through Auckland University. She is currently working on her clinical doctorate looking at the contribution of nursing within rehabilitation.
Allison received a dual PhD in neuroscience and psychology from Indiana University in 2004. She has developed multiple clinical research programmes and is extensively published in medical journals. Allison joined ABI Rehabilitation in 2009 to support the rehabilitation model with a focus on evidence-based outcomes and quantitative measurement. Since that time, ABI Rehabilitation has become a leader in the field by establishing a collaborative academic research network, maintaining a considerable presence at domestic and international conferences and workshops, and working in partnership with funding/legislative bodies to develop new strategic initiatives to improve the quality of clinical services across New Zealand.
Kristen graduated from the CIT in Wellington as an Occupational Therapist before working in many areas of mental health in both New Zealand and England. On her return to NZ in 1996 she worked to develop the Mental Health Service Coordination role in the Wellington Region. After a break to have children, she began working in the field of Serious TBI before moving to Vocational Rehabilitation and ACC contract work. Kristen then worked as a contractor for ABI as well as a private practitioner in Vocational Rehabilitation. In 2016 she completed a Postgraduate Diploma in Rehabilitation at Otago University. She began her role as Community Service Manager at ABI Wellington in October 2015 and is enjoying the experience of service development and consolidation at ABI Wellington.
Paul is a qualified, registered Social Worker with over 25 years’ experience in working with children, young people and their families, both in the UK and the last 13 years here in New Zealand. Paul has worked in the residential setting as a youth worker and shift leader in the UK. Paul and his family moved to New Zealand in 2004, and Paul has worked for Child Youth and Family as a supervisor for 5 years before joining Barnardos to manage their Residential and Foster Care Service across Auckland. Before joining ABI Residential Services, Paul worked as a case manager with ACC supporting long term clients. Paul has a holistic approach and keeps the clients at the centre of all decision making, and works alongside the Rehab Teams within the Service to achieve best outcomes and rehabilitation for our clients.
Deborah is a graduate of the Auckland Physiotherapy School. She specialised in Paediatrics with a particular focus in the area of Neurodevelopmental rehabilitation. In 1997 she established PRS, a community based multidisciplinary team contracting to Accident Compensation Corporation (ACC) to provide therapy services for children with complex injuries. As the service grew the scope of services expanded to include national Assessment services for Adults and Children. In 2015 PRS gained the highly regarded CARF accreditation including Specialty programmes for Traumatic Brain Injury, Paediatrics and Independent Evaluation Services. With ABI’s purchase of PRS in 2018 Deborah assumed the role of General Manager of Community Services. Her belief is that the provision of a quality service on every level of an organisation is fundamental to clients achieving meaningful outcomes. It is her intention that every person who interacts with the Community Service will have a quality experience.
Tony is a graduate of Auckland Physiotherapy School and worked at Waikato Hospital prior to moving to London. During his time in London he continued to work in the field of brain injury rehabilitation. On returning to New Zealand in 2002 he worked at ABI Rehabilitation as a physiotherapist while completing a post-graduate diploma in Rehabilitation. In 2016, Tony completed a post-graduate diploma in business studies specialising in Health Management through the Auckland Business School and has since taken on the role of General Manager – Rehabilitation Services. Through an interdisciplinary approach, including involvement from the client and their family, his key philosophy of rehabilitation is to support the client to obtain the skills required to maximise their participation in meaningful activities.
Dr Robin Sekerak has been our Wellington consultant since she joined ABI in 2012. Robin trained as a Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation (PM&R) physician at the University of Texas and Baylor College of Medicine in The Texas Medical Centre. Robin is a Fellow of The Australasian Faculty of Rehabilitation Medicine. Robin is a specialist in Acquired Brain Injury; her training included the cutting edge acute neurotrauma and acute stroke units at Memorial-Hermann hospital to the outpatient setting. She is passionate about a person and family centered approach; incorporating her training from brain science to that of individuals, families, an society in a holistic model to empower the individual and family in self-management, self-determination and self-advocation. She loves working with professionals, families and individuals on brain injury and stroke knowledge; from prevention to rehabilitation, and adjustment.
As Specialist Key Worker, Cath liaises between clients, family/ whānau and funding agencies to facilitate the best outcome for each individual coming through the ABI service. Cath has experience in health care services from both a consumer and provider point of view. She values the opportunity to support people in enhancing their quality of life and achieving their goals. Cath is a down to earth person with over 25 years experience working with people in the disability sector.
Fiona qualified as a registered nurse in 1997, her background is in Medical Nursing in Wellington CCDHB. Fiona has spent the previous four and a half years working in the Kenepuru Specialist Rehabilitation unit, where she had experience with rehabilitation clients with mainly stroke, but also various needs. Fiona will finish her Post Graduate Diploma in Clinical Rehabilitation through Otago University in July 2018, which has been a great learning experience for her. In December 2017 Fiona joined ABI as the Nursing Services Manager. Fiona is passionate about rehabilitation and the amazing achievements seen. She enjoys getting to know the clients and their families, and working towards the common goal of rehabilitation. She is looking forward to this new challenge and what she can bring to the role as a Nursing Leader.
Meghna has worked in IT Industry since 2007 in Technical and Service Delivery roles and specialized in Microsoft Server Infrastructure and Data Centre operations.Meghna is passionate about how Technology helps in Contributing in Business Success.
Meghna joined ABI in 2015, her role includes – making sure Business Infrastructure and network runs efficiently, and constantly working on implementing new technologies. Meghna makes sure that ABI network and systems are always available and secure against threats.
Sue graduated from the University of New South Wales, Sydney and started her rehabilitation training in Australia. She moved to NZ in 2014 and obtained her fellowship as a specialist in rehabilitation of medicine from The Australasian Faculty of Rehabilitation Medicine in 2018