There’s been a huge void left at the Mt Wellington Integrated Healthcare Clinic since the passing of its medical director and founder, Dr Joseph Williams, MBChB, MPH, QSO, QSM, in September.
The former Prime Minister for the Cook Islands, medical leader and patron of the Pasifika Medical Association (PMA) established the Auckland medical clinic more than twenty years ago. His staff have been left with the huge responsibility of caring for the community with the high standard of service that he exemplified.
“He’s the best leader I’ve worked for in my entire career,” says John Kiria, who is a health navigator at the clinic and has worked with Dr Williams for six years. “He was very helpful, wise and was dedicated to his staff and his patients.”
The most memorable work stories that John has of his old boss are of the many times he would go that extra mile for his patients, especially those who were the most vulnerable.
“If his patients were struggling financially, he still managed to make sure they had their medicine and the best health care. He would go out of his way to make it happen for these families.”
His passion for service was an attribute he encouraged his colleagues to maintain.
“He mentored many of us, so we had the skills to lead the clinic, and that’s what we’ve been doing. We are moving forward and continuing to provide the quality service to our community, even when he is no longer with us.
He would always tell me that family is very important. Your family keeps you grounded and connected.”
Today, the staff at the clinic will farewell Dr Williams by attending his public memorial service at the Vodafone Events Centre in Auckland.
“This will give us closure as he was a huge part of our lives. We will have the opportunity to celebrate his life.”
The public memorial service will be held today at the Vodafone Events Centre, Manukau, Auckland. The service will start at 2pm and full programme details including RSVP can be found by clicking here.
Facebook event link can be found here.
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Date: Thursday 29 October 2020