Health Practitioners
Dr Gayle O'Duffy
General Practitoner
Hailing from Queensland, where I studied Medicine, I came skiing at Mt Hutt in 1982 and never went home.
I have been part of the Medical Team in Methven since 1983. I have interests in rural medicine, gynaecology, musculoskeletal medicine and long term pain management.
In the last 15 years I have been involved in medical planning and service delivery for all of Canterbury.
After many years of skiing I took up golf, so when I’m not at the Medical Centre, you find me on the golf course or in my jewellery workshop.
Dr Laura Pfeifer
General Practitoner
I worked at the Christchurch Public Hospital and in Nelson before joining the Methven medical centre team in 2021. I am hugely passionate about Lifestyle Medicine, particularly the prevention and treatment/reversal of chronic medical conditions through nourishment of the body and mind. I am a member of the Australasian College of Lifestyle Medicine and have completed a fellowship in Lifestyle Medicine as well as hold a post graduate diploma in obstetrics and medical gynaecology. Outside of work I enjoy being active and became an age-group world champion triathlete in 2023.
Dr Etienne Foisset
General Practitoner
I was born and raised in the Ardennes (Northern France) and finished my medical studies in Brittany, on the French West Coast (the same kind of weather as New Zealand's West Coast).
I then spent 10 years practicing medicine in a clinic in the Pyrenees Mountains before moving to French Polynesia for 2 years to work in remote islands' dispensaries. Rural medicine is, therefore, the kind of medical practice I enjoy most.
I moved to New Zealand with my wife and 3 daughters in 2023. We are very happy to be part of the Methven community. We have enjoyed our days tramping and exploring the areas in and around the South Island and hope to see more of Aotearoa in the future.
Dr Howard Wilson
Locum General Practitoner
Born and raised in Surrey, England, initially studying Pharmacology at University of London gaining a PhD, before qualifying in Medicine.
Howard’s career has spanned many regions in New Zealand, as well as Australia, Rarotonga, Antarctica and the Arctic. He has worked in cardiorespiratory, general practice, PHARMAC, Canterbury Initiative and the New Zealand Formulary, as well as several other boards and committees within the Canterbury region.
In 2012, after 20 years, Howard “retired” from the Akaroa practice and undertook locum work at Methven Medical, among other rural practices, ever since.
Howard has been married to Sue for 33 years and has one son, Alasdair living in Taranaki. He also has a very cute cavoodle called Lily. When not working Howard can be found in his vegetable garden or yacht racing on Akaroa Harbour. Howard is passionate about rural health and is a strong advocate for optimum and equitable health care for rural areas.
.jpeg)
Kathryn Hellyer
Nurse Practitioner
I have worked at the Methven Medical Centre for the past 17 years which I love as I was born and bred in rural NZ..
After doing my hospital time, I became a practice nurse and then decided to undertake my Nurse Practitioner training. I have been a qualified Nurse Practitioner since 2015 and thoroughly enjoy this role. My special interest is women’s health across the generations.
Outside of work, I enjoy spending time with my family. I also love to keep active and teach gym classes in Ashburton
Chelsea Flynn
Practice Pharmacist and Health Coach
Born in South Africa, raised in North Canterbury, I studied my Bachelor of Pharmacy in Dunedin before working in community pharmacy in both NZ and Ireland and eventually moving back to little old Mid Canterbury with my dairy farming husband.
I have been lucky enough to be at Methven Medical for the last year in my role as Health Coach and even luckier now to be part of the team as Practice Pharmacist and Health Coach so you may see my face around more as I get to know the community.
When I am not at work, you’ll find me up at Mt Hutt Bike Park, exploring one of the many walks around, on the farm or at home with my dog, Bailey.