Hospital welcomes Dr Shah

There’s a buzz around Gisborne Hospital with the arrival of Dr Vipul Shah — an experienced Critical Care Physician (intensivist).

An intensivist is specialised in critical care medicine and cares for patients in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU).

Tairāwhiti has not had an intensivist in about 20 years.

Dr Shah has come directly from Birmingham, Alabama in the United States and intends to spend at least 12 months in Tairāwhiti.

He has previously held roles as clinical and medical director in places such as Washington, DC.

“I chose Tairāwhiti because I was looking for a small critical care unit where I could share my knowledge and make a difference in a region that needs it,” he said.

“Equity of care is an area of interest for me and I’m keen to learn about the challenges in critical care here and how I can help.

“If I can support the team to build capacity and keep more critical patients here closer to whānau rather than transferring them to larger hospitals, then I’ll be achieving my goal.”

Anne Aitcheson, Te Whatu Ora Tairāwhiti interim lead for hospital and specialist services, said the team is excited by the learning opportunities provided by having

Dr Shah here.

“This is an opportunity for our excellent nursing and medical staff to learn new skills from someone at the top of their scope,” she said.

Dr Shah was born in Florida and grew up a short drive from surfer Kelly Slater’s childhood home.

Although he did not know the multiple world champion surfer personally, it was not unusual to

be at social occasions and surfing with other renown professional surfers such as Damian and CJ Hobgood.

“Being somewhere near the surf was definitely an aim for me and I’m keen to get out there whenever possible.”