As announced at the 2023 PNZ Annual General Meeting on 10 November, congratulations to Sarah Candy on receiving PNZ Life Membership for her contribution to PNZ, the physiotherapy profession and/or public health.
Over the last 20 years Sarah has worked in the field of cardio-respiratory physiotherapy, with an additional focus on pulmonary rehabilitation in recent years.
Sarah meets all the requirements of a senior and highly experienced clinical staff member, but it is her additional work and commitment that warrants further recognition.
Sarah has extended the pulmonary rehabilitation programme from hospital-based to four community-based programmes, each located in the heart of communities and co-designed to meet the unique needs of the community.
She has advocated and marketed pulmonary rehabilitation to stakeholders, promoting equity and access to what has been established as gold standard treatment for people with chronic obstructive lung disease and other respiratory diseases.
Beyond providing traditional physiotherapy, this programme’s philosophy addresses the multi-dimensional needs of individuals and communities, reducing access barriers and empowering individuals and whānau to improve their wellbeing.
Contributing to the Australian and New Zealand Pulmonary Rehabilitation Guidelines, Sarah has ensured the representation of New Zealand and physiotherapy community, as well as Māori and diverse population groups.
She is generous with her time and an approachable and valued resource to those who seek advice, support, and guidance. Through COVID-19 Sarah has also been a national resource for tele-medicine, with aspects of this a focus of her doctoral studies.
She is active in the respiratory research community; has published in the field of pulmonary rehabilitation; and presented locally, nationally, and internationally.
Her commitment to the profession, as well as health and wellbeing of people with respiratory health issues, is evident in her continued enthusiasm, research and sharing of knowledge.
Congratulations again to Sarah on becoming a Life Member of PNZ and thank you for all your work.
Page updated November 2023