New Medical Director For Asthma And Respiratory Foundation

The Asthma and Respiratory Foundation New Zealand is
pleased to announce the appointment of Professor Bob Hancox
as Medical Director.

Professor Hancox is a respiratory
specialist who combines epidemiological and clinical
research to investigate why people develop diseases such as
asthma, allergies, and chronic lung disease, then seeks
better ways to assess and treat these disorders.

He is
a professor of Preventive & Social Medicine at the
Dunedin School of Medicine in the University of Otago and a
respiratory physician at Waikato Hospital.

Much of
Professor Hancox’s research is based on the long-running
Dunedin Multidisciplinary Health and Development Study,
which has followed 1,037 children since their birth in
Dunedin in the early 1970s into adult life. Important
findings from this research reveal how childhood experiences
and lifestyle affect lung health in
adulthood.

Professor Hancox has been a member of the
Foundation’s Scientific Advisory Board for many years and
was previously Medical Director from 2009 to 2012. As part
of his role, he will also become Board Chair.

The
Medical Director and Scientific Advisory Board work closely
with the Foundation to ensure that it delivers sound,
evidence-based respiratory health knowledge. The Board
comprises some of New Zealand’s leading experts in
respiratory health service delivery and research and brings
quality assurance and strong credibility to the work of the
Foundation.

Professor Hancox says it is an honour to
step into the role of Medical Director, once again, for such
an important organisation.

“It is an important time
for respiratory health.

“Respiratory disease is one of
the leading causes of ill health but has sometimes been seen
as a lower priority.

“The devastating effects of the
COVID-19 pandemic have highlighted how important it is to
look after our lungs.

“In this role, I will continue
to support the Foundation’s vital work to empower New
Zealanders – both young and old – with the knowledge they
need to manage their respiratory conditions
effectively.”

Foundation Chief Executive Ms Letitia
Harding says Professor Hancox brings a wealth of knowledge
to the Medical Director role, a role he has held in the
past.

“His expertise will undoubtedly drive us forward
on our mission to help 700,000 Kiwis living with respiratory
conditions.”

Professor Hancox takes over the Medical
Director role from Wellington-based respiratory physician Dr
James Fingleton, who held the role for three
years.

During this time, Dr Fingleton’s achievements
included co-authoring the NZ Adolescent and Adult Asthma
Guidelines and the NZ COPD Guidelines, providing educational
talks and webinars on asthma and COPD, and contributing to
numerous resources used by health professionals and patients
nationwide.

“Dr Fingleton’s tenure as Medical Director
has been marked by his invaluable contributions to our
guidelines and the flow-on effect to our communities,” Ms
Harding says.

“We are immensely grateful for his
leadership and commitment to improving respiratory health
outcomes for all.”

While Dr Fingleton is stepping down
from the Medical Director role, he will continue to be a
valued member of the Foundation’s Scientific Advisory
Board, Ms Harding says.

Professor Hancox’s role as
the Foundation’s Medical Director begins today (Wednesday
1
May).

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