Our Team
Doctors
Dr. Christina Bocock
I have been a GP for 10 years and am also a forensic clinician for the local sexual assault assessment and treatment service. I am very passionate about this work and engaged with medsac, a national organisation for clinicians in this area. I have two son’s and attend Playcentre where I love the family run, child led structure, messy play and outdoor exploration.
Dr. Alice Deng
Kia ora, my name is Alice and I am a GP registrar at Willow Medical Centre. I had my medical schooling in China and worked in Beijing for 1 year before I came to New Zealand. I have worked as a junior doctor in Waikato Hospital then in Kew Hospital before my GP training. I am really enjoying working as a member of this great team and will try my best to support you with your primary healthcare needs.
Dr. Dianne Denholm
I have worked at Catherine Street Medical Centre and Family Planning since 1998. Over this time I have been bringing up 3 children, looking after a large garden, and painting enough paintings to fill up most of the walls of my house. My paintings now are mostly portraits of my own family -portraits with interesting light, anything that makes good visual poetry. My partner and I bike and ski for exercise and enjoy walking around Riverton on the weekends. I find a real privilege to see patients that I have known for years and hope to continue working for as long as possible. My special interests are Women's Health and Cardiovascular Prevention.
Dr. Kim Nester
It’s a long time ago that I moved from Napier to go to Medical School in Dunedin, and nearly 30 years since I started working as a General Practitioner in Invercargill. It’s a career I still enjoy immensely. Being able to set up Willow Medical Centre with my colleagues, who share the same passion for providing safe, high-quality care for our patients and supporting our staff and students to be the best they can, has been very rewarding. More recently, I have also helped set up Te Rākau Āwhina – The Helping Tree, a charity that helps people get the medical tests and treatment they need but might otherwise miss out on. Outside of work, you’ll usually find me at home on our lifestyle block, keeping up with the sheep, chickens, and two energetic dogs. When commitments allow, I love to travel - even getting to a “high-point” of Mt Everest base camp!
Dr. Kate Wheeler
I am a Mum of 5 children aged 14 to 21, married for 25 years to Joe, a local podiatrist, and have been practising as a GP for 24 years, 21 of which have been in Invercargill. Joe and I are originally from Australia but I grew up in the Solomon Islands and Swaziland (now Eswatini) and studied Medicine in Newcastle, Australia. We made Invercargill our home before our first child was born and are here to stay! I enjoy spending time with the family, especially at the beach in summer and am an avid reader. I particularly enjoy working with children and young people and work one session a week at Number 10 Youth One Stop Shop as well as at Willow.
Dr. Jacqui Walker
Kia Ora, I’m Jacqui, one of the doctors here at Willow Medical. I love working alongside people to optimise their health. I have a particular interest in women’s health- and I am one of the practices IUD inserters. When I am not at work, I love to be outside with my family- tramping, camping, skiing and cycling.
Nurses
Leigh Elder
I have been a Practice Nurse here for 10+ years, I am passionate about Primary Health Care and embrace the continuity of care we can provide for the whole family across all ages. I am a Registered Nurse Prescriber in Community Health. This broadens my scope of practice, as I am able to carry out nursing assessments and prescribe medications for minor common conditions.
Registered Nurse Prescriber
Liz
I have been nursing for over 45 years, 28 of which has been in general practice. My past experiences include paediatrics and palliative care. I really enjoy working in general practice, with the ongoing involvement with our patients.
Kym
Kia Ora my name is Kym and I am one of the nurse. My family and I moved from Christchurch 3 and a half years ago. I have had a varied nursing career and enjoy working in primary health care to support people optimise their health. I enjoy spending time with my family and being outdoors.
Leigh McKay
Kia Ora Koutou, my name is Leigh, and I am a nurse at Willow Medical Centre. I joined the team in Oct 2024, working alongside a great team of fellow nurses, Dr’s and reception staff. My nursing background before joining Willow was Practice Nurse at Otautau Medical centre and the Surgical Ward Southland hospital. I look forward to meeting the patients of Willow Medical centre, and helping any way I can with your Primary Health Care needs. I am married to Alan and have four teenage/young adult children. Fun fact- if I’m ten minutes early for an appt I’m running late.
Management
Jane Kent
Hi. I started working at Catherine St Medical in 2014 as a receptionist then in 2022 I became the Practice Manager/Director with our change of ownership along with four doctors. I am married with a very spoiled dog Bella and have 2 adult sons and 2 grandchildren. I love spending time with my family, walking the dog, playing Frisbee golf and holidaying in Australia to catch up with family members.
Practice ManagerReception
Joann
My name is Joann (Jo), I am married with 6 children and 9 grandchildren. I love cooking/baking, reading, gardening and travelling to different places around the world. I live on a life style block and I own 7 pedigree cats and 2 dogs. I enjoy meeting and greeting the wide variety of diverse patients and I have an amazing team to work with.
Lorraine
My name is Lorraine, as the newest member of the welcoming committee at Willow Medical Centre. I look forward to building a relationship with patients and staff of our community here. I joined the team at the end of September 2024, after previously being employed at another GP practice and Southland Hospital for a number of years in ED, Women’s health and Children’s ward. When I’m not working, I enjoy being outdoors walking or creating food for family and friends in the kitchen. Fact about me – I value my privacy and I will value yours too.
Marcia
Hello everyone, My Name is Marcia. I am a receptionist and have been here for 2.5 years. I am married to Tony, have 2 grown boys and I am the proud grandmother of my 3 grandsons and 1 grandaughter. I spend as much time with them as I can. My other passion is Rock N Roll dancing of which I hold several National titles. Unfortunately getting back on the dance floor has been put on hold.
Raeta
Kia Ora- Ko Raeta taku ingoa. My name is Raeta. My role at Willow medical centre is I am a medical receptionist. I have previously worked in Pharmacies the last 20 years. I enjoy the interaction with patients and having great co-workers.