Meet Our Specialists

On the ground, in theatres, where you need us

When it comes to calm and successful surgeries, our people are the difference. From training your nursing team, to coordinating with sterilisation services and admin, our entire team is here to support your entire team. 

 

Benjamin Willis

Founder & CEO

Ben completed a BHSc in Physiotherapy from Auckland University of Technology, after which he played professional rugby for many years in Europe. While there, Ben completed a PGDip in sports medicine from Otago University.

A brief stint practising as a physiotherapist preceded entry to the orthopaedic industry, where he immediately loved the challenge, transformative aspects, and  contribution in an industry he is passionate about.

Having an entrepreneurial spirit, Ben then set up ORB Medical which continues to develop the relationship between industry, suppliers, hospitals and doctors – all with the final well-being and successful outcome of the patient at the heart of the business.

He is very proud of and grateful for the ORB team

Outside of work, Ben loves to spend time with his family, wife Clara, and their 5 beautiful daughters.

Sarah Handley

Director of Business Operations

Sarah completed her double degree in Commerce and Physical Education at Otago University.

She has worked in the NZ health and fitness industry, and finance in the UK, before returning to NZ and discovering the medical industry. Sarah has enjoyed working in many areas within this industry including: management, coaching, sales, and marketing for over 15 years. She is stimulated by the fact ORB Medical can source cutting edge technology and devices from anywhere in the world, bring them to the NZ orthopaedic industry and ultimately benefit the NZ public.

Lily Ashby

Clinical Specialist

Lily completed her bachelor of nursing at Massey University Wellington. She worked at Starship Hospital in the operating rooms for four years, in the spine and orthopaedic team.

Lily then spent two years working for a medical device company in the spine division, before departing on an overseas experience through Europe in a camper van and living in Vancouver Canada.

In 2018 Lily returned to Auckland and gained a clinical support specialist and sales position at ORB medical focusing on Orthopaedic Paediatric deformities and trauma.

Kath Parr

Clinical Support Specialtist

After completing her nursing training, Kath worked at Middlemore Hospital gaining theatre experience in multiple areas before embarking on overseas travel.

After several years in the UK, and indulging her passion of travel, she returned home once again to Middlemore, specialising in both elective and acute orthopeadics.  After ten years at Middlemore, Kath moved to the private setting of MercyAscot Hospital, to become an orthopeadic charge nurse.  

Twenty years later, having had two children and continuing to work part time, Kath finally moved out of the hospital setting and took up a position with Orb Medical as a clinical specialist.

Tegan Nichols

Clinical Support Specialist

Tegan completed her Bachelor of Nursing degree in Northland and worked and lived throughout New Zealand before settling in Auckland specialising in surgical orthopaedics. 

She is passionate about joint replacement surgery and innovative new technologies that make recovery times for patients quicker and easier.

She enjoys travelling for work in Northland with smaller hospitals and where her family still all live. Auckland living has allowed Tegan the flexibility and challenge that was missing in her nursing career and working alongside the experienced and enthusiastic ORB Medical team members has been invaluable to her learning in her clinical support role.

Tammy Johns

National Extremities Specialist

Tammy completed a Sport Science Degree in Sunny South Africa.

She has worked in the Pharmaceuticals Industry in many functions for over 10years. She has also worked in the Surgical Industry for roughly the same about of years. She has an in-depth knowledge about Sales, Extremities, Business and understanding customer needs.

Tammy’s passion is PEOPLE. She loves working at ORB Medical as the company provides diversity and being able to offer many solutions for all Surgeons.

In her spare time, Tammy loves to coach hockey, run and spend time with her family.

Matt Merrick

National Spine Specialist

Matt has an extensive physiotherapy background spanning nearly two decades working in private practice, professional sport and academia both abroad and here in New Zealand.

Since leaving the physio world in search of a new challenge,  Matt has discovered a passion for the medical device industry. After working at another medical device company focusing on extremities Matt has found his home at ORB Medical specialising in all things Spine.

Matt’s passion for innovation and commitment to achieving optimal outcomes for both surgeons and patients is what motivates him and drives his work. Matt feels very fortunate to be part of such a dedicated and committed ORB team reconnecting Kiwis to their happy place.

Amanda Rutherford

Accounts Manager

After a 15 year hiatus from the workforce raising children and moving countries Amanda has joined us to help run the financial side of the business.

Amanda graduated from University with a Commerce and Science degree out of Canterbury and is a wealth of knowledge when it comes to numbers having spent the next 15 years building a career starting at KPMG, moving into Investment Banking at Merrill Lynch, then Deutsche Bank as an Equities Analyst in the Economics & Strategy team.

We are looking forward to having Amanda on board and she is looking forward to working with such a dynamic group of people marketing such an innovative and progressive range of products.

Outside of work Amanda runs a busy family of four boys and tries to keep herself fit enough to keep up with them!

John Kidd

Customer Service Manager

John has been around supporting orthopaedics for a long time. His aim is work with our suppliers to have what is needed when it is needed.

The aim of Orb Medical is to connect kiwis to their happy place and for John it is to make sure the surgical team and clinical specialists have what they require for that to happen/

Rolly Rivera Jr.

Logistics Manager

Rolly joined ORB in 2023 bringing with him experience and knowledge in logistics, previously working at a Southern Cross hospital as a logistics coordinator at for the last 5 years. He has a Bachelor in computer science, and in his free time loves going to the gym.

August 2022 - APOS Scientific Meeting

29 August 2022 | 0 min read
After several years of digital meetings, it was a breath of fresh air to be back together for the Australian Paediatric Orthopaedic Society’s Annual Scientific Meeting and Instructional Course Lectures in Noosa, Queensland on August 25 – 28th.