NZMSA LEADERSHIP
Executives July 2024 - June 2026
NZMSA is governed by a Council of 10 Area Representatives and an Executive elected from the Council.
PRESIDENT: DR. THERESA WATSON
Dr Theresa Watson is a rural generalist in Bonnyville with Obstetric surgical skills. She is passionate about women’s health and rural medicine. She would love to see improved access to services in rural areas to keep patient care local. This not only improves the patient experience but also decreases the burden on urban centres. The broad scope that rural affords keeps medicine interesting and exciting and helping teach ICC students and seeing their growth in knowledge and skills over the course of 9 months is incredibly rewarding.
Dr Watson is also on the Section of Rural medicine executive committee where she has learnt much from other passionate individuals who live the rural life.
Outside of medicine Dr Watson enjoys spending time with her husband and 2 young boys. Is currently learning to play pickle ball and enjoys running and the great outdoors. Friends, a fire and a glass of wine keep her happy in the winter.
VICE-PRESIDENT: DR. GENE VITUG
Dr. Vitug is an experienced clinician, healthcare leader and entrepreneur who finished his pre-medicine at the University of California, Irvine, and his medical degree at the University of Alberta. He completed his residency at the University of British Columbia (Victoria).
Dr. Vitug was recognized for his exemplary performance in healthcare leadership in 2016, when he was awarded the Canadian Certified Physician Executive (CCPE) designation (one of only nine in Canada). He has created remote healthcare programs including utilizing telemedicine and innovation to assist rural emergency departments and communities in crisis. He has been involved in disaster medicine as a consultant for the Department of National Defence. As Facility Medical Director (Chief of Staff) for NLRHC, and acting Surgical Services Chief, he was instrumental in the reorganizing of the surgery department and operating room theatre to bringing in cutting edge technology. He lead the harrowing evacuation of the Fort McMurray Hospital during the Wild Fires of 2016 and the subsequent rebuild of the city including setting up MASH units with mobile CT scanning and Operating Theatre capability.
Dr Vitug’s interests include executive health, men’s health, physician health, and preventative care. He has rich clinical experience in emergency medicine, hospital medicine occupational medicine and sports medicine. He is an associate of the Canadian Board of Occupational Medicine (ACBOM), American Board of Certified Independent Medical Examiners (CIME), and obtained his board certification in Sport and Exercise Medicine (CAESM). He has been a leader in Executive Health and consulted for a number of Oil & Energy companies and serves as their Chief Medical Officer. Dr. Vitug’s entrepreneurial experience includes his role as the co-founder and CEO of Integrated Health Logistics and Corporate Medical Group which provides integrated occupational, primary and emergency medical services in the oil and energy sector. This includes the largest Oil Sands projects built in a single phase in the world. He was also the Chief Medical Officer for BHP - Jansen Mine , one of the largest pots mines in the world.
In his spare time, Dr. Vitug enjoys golf, hockey, fitness and spending time with his family.
Secretary-Treasurer: Vacant
Council
AREA 1
AREA 2
AREA 3
AREA 4
AREA 5
AREA 6
AREA 7
AREA 8
AREA 9
AREA 10
VACANT
VACANT
DR. MARELI POWELL
DR. LEIGH BEAMISH
DR. JAMES KEAY
VACANT
VACANT
DR. JULIA KUZYK
DR. MARC SHAW
DR. GENE VITUG