OUR
SPEAKERS
SPEAKERS
The organising committee are currently developing an amazing 2026 Conference programme.
Further speakers to be announced soon.
Professor Phil Fischer
Professor Phil Fischer completed pediatric training in the US, studied tropical medicine in England, practiced in central Africa, and has been with the Mayo Clinic since 1992. A Professor of Pediatrics, Phil has cared for thousands of patients with postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome and other functional disorders, co-authored over 200 PubMed-indexed articles, and written books including Tired Teens and Adolescent Medicine in the Middle East. Medical teaching and travels have taken Phil to 84 different countries - highlighted by participation in the PSNZ conferences in 2014 and 2016.
PLENARY AND CONCURRENT SESSION SPEAKER
A/Prof Paula Toko King (ia)
(Te Aupōuri, Te Rarawa, Ngāpuhi, Ngāti Whātua, Waikato Tainui, Ngāti Maniapoto)
Paula Toko King is a Public Health Physician and Associate Professor at the University of Otago. Her work involves upholding tamariki rights to health and is situated at the intersection of racism, ableism/disablism, state care, youth justice, and prisons.
KEYNOTE SUBJECT: Leo Buchanan Memorial Lecture
Dr Ashwin Bhana
Ashwin is a Paediatric Gastroenterologist based at Te Wao Nui – Child Health Service in Wellington. He oversees the care of Children in the Lower North Island. Ashwin completed his Paediatrics and Gastroenterology training at the Children’s Hospital at Westmead in Sydney. He has given presentations in NZ, Australia and further overseas covering topics including Inflammatory Bowel Disease, Liver Transplantation and Recurrent Abdominal pain in Children.
PLENARY SPEAKER
Dr Kuang Hsiao
Dr Kuang Hsiao is an Auckland-based paediatric allergist and immunologist specialising in rare immunodeficiency disorders and emerging therapeutic approaches. Working within Aotearoa’s clinical and research networks, he leads multidisciplinary efforts to enhance diagnosis and precision management for children with allergic and complex immune conditions. His translational research and national collaborations aim to advance equitable, evidence driven care across paediatric services.
PLENARY AND CONCURRENT SESSION SPEAKER
Dr Meghan Sandle
Dr Meghan Sandle is a developmental paediatrician at the child development service in Wellington and a senior clinical lecture at department of Paediatrics and Child Health, University of Otago, Wellington.
Meghan has a clinical and research interest in cerebral palsy and early detection. I am part of a General Movements scoring group for the wellington region and involved in the implementation of the tool in routine practice. Meghan's research has included neurodevelopmental outcomes for extremely preterm infants and the relationship between MOS-R and later developmental outcomes.
CONCURRENT SESSION SPEAKER