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Council Members

The Council is comprised of eight members: five members are registered health practitioners and three members are lay persons. 

Members are appointed by the Minister of Health for a term of up to three years.  A member can be re-appointed for a further three-year term up to a maximum of three consecutive terms (ie nine years).

Ruth Beeston

Chair - Medical Laboratory Scientist (MLS)

Ruth was appointed to the Medical Sciences Council in June 2019. She was Deputy Chair from February 2024 to February 2025, and elected as Chair in February 2025.

Ruth has over 30 years' experience in the medical laboratory field - working in both specialist and routine biochemistry laboratories. She is currently working in Wellington Hospital for Awanui Labs as a point-of-care coordinator.

Ruth is also a technical assessor for IANZ and has a postgraduate diploma in public health.

Dr Nicola Swain

Deputy Chair - Lay person

Nicola was appointed to the Council as a lay person in late 2018, and Deputy Chair in February 2025. She has previously served as Chair of the Examination Committee, and was on the appointment committiee for the new Chief Executive.

Nicola is an Associate Professor in the School of Physiotherapy, University of Otago, where she does health research. She holds several governance roles (including ADL mental health provider) and is currently a member of the Human Rights Review Tribunal, and the Health & Disability Ethics Committee.

Nicola has published over 70 peer-reviewed journal articles. She also teaches and supervises in well-being programmes at Te Pukenga.

Brett Besley

Anaesthetic Technician (AT)

Brett is an anaesthetic technician and was appointed to the Council in June 2019, serving as the Chair from 2020 to 2024.

Brett has over 20 years' experience in healthcare, working in both the public and private sector since qualifying in 2004, mostly in the Counties Manukau Region, and is currently working for Te Whatu Ora - Hauora a Toi (Bay of Plenty).

Born in Papakura, and growing up in South Auckland, Brett has spent extensive time in both the Manawatū and Canterbury regions. He has affiliations to Ngāti Kahungungu and Ngāti Tūwharetoa.

Throughout his career Brett has specialised in clinical education and development, contributing to both the former AUT Applied Science diploma, MSC CPD audit process, and the online registration examination. 

Jujhar Singh Randhawa

Lay person

Jujhar was appointed to the Council as a lay person in July 2024. He is a community leader and entrepreneur based in Hamilton.

Since arriving in Aotearoa New Zealand in 1998, Jujhar founded JSR Refrigeration and Air Conditioning in 2000. He serves as the CEO and Managing Director of Zephyr Pure Air Ventilation, JSR Management, and Hillcrest Spinal Centre.

In November 2024, Jujhar was appointed the inaugural Chairman of NZ Business Connect.

He holds numerous leadership roles, including Vice President and Head of Events for the Indian Cultural Society Waikato Inc., is co-founder and Chairman of the IAMHE(R) Charitable Trust, and a member of the Multicultural Advisory Board for NZ Police in Waikato.

Jujhar is a Justice of the Peace and an entrepreneurship coach.

Mark Tumai

Anaesthetic Technician (AT)

Ko Tainui te waka,
Ko Waikato te awa,
Ko Taupiri te maunga,
Ko Ngāti Mahuta, Ngāti Pou ngā iwi
Ko Mark Tumai e tu nei.

Mark was appointed to the Council in July 2024, having dedicated his career to various capacities in the health sector for over two decades.

He has worked in both public and private hospitals, in non-government organisations, and with Māori Healthcare providers as a project manager throughout the Waikato region.

Mark’s commitment extends beyond the professional sphere, as he sits on various church boards and previously on Marae Trusts. He also actively volunteers in the Miramar community.

Mark works as an anaesthetic technician in various locations around the motu, where he continues to bring his expertise and passion for service.

He's also the Council's representative on Te Ama Tōtika (the Council's Māori Practitioner Advisory Committee).

Marike Rossouw

Medical Laboratory Pre-Analytical Technician (MLPAT) Phlebotomy

Marike was appointed to the Council in September 2025. She works at the New Zealand Institute of Medical Laboratory Science (NZIMLS) and is currently the Patient Services Manager for Awanui Labs in Auckland, where she oversees nearly 300 pre-analytical staff across the region.

Grandy Li

Medical Laboratory Scientist (MLS)

Grandy was appointed to the Council in September 2025. She has over 15 years' experience as a medical laboratory scientist and is currently the Head of Department in the Specimen Reception for Awanui Labs – Dunedin.

She leads a team of over 20 professionals and actively participates in Continuing Professional Development (CPD) as a member of the Awanui CPD moderation group.

Dr David Cumin

Lay member

David was appointed to the Council in September 2025. He has over a decade of governance experience and is a Senior Lecturer in the department of Anaesthesiology at the University of Auckland, with responsibilities at the Simulation Centre for Patient Safety.

Before that he completed a Bachelor of Engineering (hons) in Biomedical Engineering, before pursuing a PhD. He’s also worked as a Senior Research Scientist (Healthcare).

He currently holds roles on the University of Auckland School of Medicine Postgraduate Board of Studies Committee and the Auckland Health Research Ethics Committee and the School of Medicine Research Committee.