BAIL'S TALES : April

Thank you to those of you who attended our mini symposium last week on living and aging with spinal cord impairment. We hope you enjoyed the presentations. If you were unable to make it a video is available of the presentations [contact Hans.Wouters@burwood.org.nz for more details].

This month we want to show case and thank our Board of Trustees for their support of BAIL and we especially welcome two new faces to the BAIL Board room.
Julian Verkaaik Board Chair: Julian has been involved with BAIL from its inception, having been the inaugural BAIL Manager and then Trustee. He took up the reins in 2013 after George Scrimshaw stepped aside.
Dr Rick Acland Deputy Board Chair: Rick brings his expertise and knowledge of the health system from his years of working with people who live with impairments and disability. In February this year we corralled him into the 2IC position so thank you Rick!
Professor Gary Hooper: Gary is an orthopaedic surgeon and HOD of the Department of Orthopaedic Surgery and Musculoskeletal Medicine at the University of Otago Christchurch. We are very fortunate to have Gary’s support particularly ensuring we retain strong academic rigour in the things we do and support.
Arron Perriam: Arron joined the Board in 2013. We are lucky to have his clear strategic vision for BAIL, and his networking and industry support as he brings financial oversight to the BAIL Board room.
John Luhrs: John joined the Board in 2012 and brings his experience from within the business and health sectors. He supports Arron with the responsibility of maintaining oversight of the BAIL books.
Ian Dunn: Ian brings his expertise from the business sector and we especially value his experience with fund raising and networking through the Rotary Club of Christchurch, ensuring the work of BAIL is widely disseminated.
Richard Smaill: Richard has a long association with BAIL and his role as Chair of the NZ Spinal Trust ensures we never forget our roots and that we enjoy a close and supportive relationship with our parent organisation.
Dr Rick Fright: Rick is an Executive Director and co-founder of ARANZ Geo Limited and brings a perspective, along with Richard, from both his lived experience of spinal cord impairment and from his academic and professional work. Rick joined the Board in February 2014.
Associate Professor Pauline Barnett: Pauline also joined us in February 2014 and comes from the School of Health Sciences at the University of Canterbury. With Pauline’s contribution to the Board we forge a stronger relationship with the University of Canterbury.

All our Board members give their time voluntarily and we thank them for their wisdom and generosity. This collective expertise and support of the BAIL vision is a great example of the whole being greater than the sum of its parts.

Hans Wouters – Project Manager Burwood Academy Of Independent Living.