Eamonn Smythe A third high-level staffer has resigned from the NZ AIDS Foundation, with Eamonn Smythe leaving "to pursue career opportunities." Smythe, the NZAF's Director Health Services, joined the Foundation in February 2005 and has led the its health services for people living with HIV and at risk of contracting HIV. The Foundation says he has "left a legacy of professional, high-quality and caring services that include counselling, psychotherapy, social work, advocacy, support and testing. During his time at the NZAF he developed the NZAF regional sites into professional centres with qualified and highly competent staff. He pioneered the introduction of rapid testing for HIV to New Zealand in 2007, a move that other developed countries are still trying to catch up with." Smythe "worked tirelessly with a number of organisations to get new and lifesaving ARVs through the Medsafe process and onto the PHARMAC in acceptable times, thus making a huge difference to the lives of people living with HIV in New Zealand," the Foundation says. “Over almost seven years Eamonn has made a tremendous contribution to the NZAF. He has grown NZAF Health Services from a largely voluntary base to a highly professional service that is respected within the clinical, NGO and wider communities. Rapid testing increased NZAF HIV testing rates by 600% - a remarkable achievement and along with everyone at the NZAF, I wish him all the best in the next phase of his career,” says Shaun Robinson, NZAF's Executive Director. In an email to colleagues, Smythe announced “After seven years of service to the NZAF, it is time to move on and widen my horizons in my profession." He finishes working at the NZAF at the end of this week. Other recent high-level resignations include Burnett Centre manager Wayne Otter, who was formally farewelled this afternoon, and the Foundation's Director HIV Prevention and International, Simon Harger-Forde, who departs at the end of January.
Credit: GayNZ.com Daily News staff
First published: Wednesday, 14th December 2011 - 7:34pm