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The Dr. Ernest Willoughby Fellowship

The NZ Multiple Sclerosis Research Trust (NZMSRT) is proud to introduce The Dr. Ernest Willoughby Fellowship.

The Trust is establishing this fellowship to recognise the very substantial contribution Dr Willoughby has made both in NZ and internationally to research into the cause and treatment of Multiple Sclerosis (MS) over 50 years, as well as his compassionate care of persons with MS.

Dr Willoughby has been a consultant neurologist at Auckland City Hospital since 1979 and a clinical associate professor at the Auckland University School of Medicine. He has also been a long-time supporter of MS Auckland, serving as their medical adviser and as patron.

He is a trustee of NZMSRT and has been a frequent speaker at meetings, providing updates on the diagnosis and treatment of MS.

The Fellowship will provide funded opportunities for early- and mid-career neurologists, and clinical researchers to gain advanced training in MS diagnosis, treatment, and multidisciplinary care. Recipients will spend dedicated time in leading MS clinics and research centres, overseas and here in New Zealand, with the opportunity to undertake research projects, especially those that address issues of relevance to practice in NZ. There will also be the opportunity to attend specialised workshops concentrating on updating of skills relating to MS clinical management or research.

It is expected that recipients of the Fellowship will return to NZ to practice and apply their skills, as well as to help local dissemination of new knowledge among colleagues and persons with MS.

The Fellowship is an initiative aimed at tackling the persistent shortage of neurologists, particularly those specialising in multiple sclerosis (MS). It represents a commitment to strengthening the healthcare workforce and improving health outcomes for New Zealanders facing neurological disease.

As we approach 2030, neurological diseases are projected to surpass cancer and cardiac disease as the leading cause of death in NZ. This underscores the urgent need for specialised care and expertise in this field. It is expected that the first fellowship grant will be made in 2027.

The fellowship was announced at a lunch held in Auckland on Sunday, 1 March 2026, at which the guest speaker was Professor Graeme Bydder, the NZ-trained world-renowned expert on MRI.

Further donations to help fund the fellowship may be made to the bank account of the Trust:
Name of account: New Zealand Multiple Sclerosis Research Trust
Account number: 02-0214-0186752-00
Reference: FELLOWSHIP (YOUR FULL NAME)

The Trust is a registered charity for tax purposes. Please email info@msresearch.org.nz with the details so that the Trust can issue a tax receipt.

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Louise Reed

Trustee

I am a person with MS. I am also a barrister practising in Auckland exclusively in family law and have particular interests in the following areas:

  • Proceedings concerning children’s issues (including adoptions)
  • Proceedings under the Protection of Personal and Property Rights Act 1988 (in relation to powers of attorney, property managers and welfare guardians)
  • Relationship property
  • Spousal maintenance
  • Family violence

In my spare time I enjoy travelling (when I can!), keeping fit and socialising with friends and family. 

Louise

Andrew Cushen

Trustee

Andrew is an independent corporate affairs and strategy consultant, working and living in Auckland. He has previously held senior positions in a number of corporate and not-for-profit entities in New Zealand.

Across his career, Andrew has worked as a funder of research projects (albeit in different areas than medicine and health), served in a number of not-for-profit governance roles, and been successful in developing and implementing collaborative funding models to extend investment in research and community programmes.

Andrew’s interest in Multiple Sclerosis stems from his father’s diagnosis with progressive MS in the early 2000s, and he is keenly interested in research, treatment and management approaches that may lessen the impact of MS on those diagnosed and their families.

Julia Howell

Trustee

Julia is a qualified nurse and midwife, with a varied career including specialising in eating disorders, primary healthcare, and management.    

Julia, in partnership with a GP, set up an outpatient clinical trials unit (Southern Clinical Trials). Under her leadership this grew into a network of 6 sites across NZ. This network merged with another one in 2021 to form PCRN, NZ’s largest clinical trials network. Julia is currently working as joint COO for PCRN.

Julia’s daughter was diagnosed with MS aged 14 and she has been intimately involved with her management over the years.

 

Jan Campbell

Trustee

Born in Ōtautahi Jan trained as a nurse in Christchurch, as a midwife in Winchester, UK and has a degree in philosophy with particular interest in healthcare and business ethics.

After working in the public health system in the UK and NZ, Jan joined Roche Pharmaceuticals based in Auckland in 1999. As a respected senior leader and Medical Director, she established a medical division over the ensuing 20 years responsible for significant investment in clinical trials in NZ, developing a top-class global medicine information service, compassionate medicine supply for kiwis in need, pharmacovigilance oversight and a team working closely with patients, specialists, MEDSAFE and PHARMAC to support the safe and appropriate use of Roche medicines.

As a retiree Jan has volunteered for Mercy Hospice in Auckland and the WBoP Museum in Katikati. Now living in Ōtepoti, Jan sits on both the MS Research Trust and MSNZ executive committees with a keen interest to ensure people with MS get a fair go in NZ.

Dr Elza Cloete

Trustee

Elza is a Neonatal Paediatrician at Christchurch Women’s Hospital. Originally from South Africa, she moved to New Zealand in 2006 and completed her specialist training in Auckland.

Subsequent to that she embarked on doctoral studies at the University of Auckland’s Liggins Institute and obtained a PhD investigating congenital heart disease in new-born babies.

Elza received the Vice-Chancellor’s award for best doctoral thesis for her research and is the author of several research publications. She moved to Christchurch in 2020 for a work opportunity in clinical practice.

Elza was diagnosed with MS in 2012 and brings a consumer perspective and research experience to the Trust.

Dr Ernie Willoughby

Trustee

Dr Willoughby has been a consultant neurologist at Auckland City Hospital (1979 to 2021 – now retired, emeritus) and clinical associate professor at Auckland University School of Medicine.

He directed the MS clinic at Auckland Hospital, has had a long association with the Auckland and NZ MS Societies, and is a member of the International Medical and Scientific Board of the MS International Federation.

Dr Brian Linehan

Independent Trustee

Dr Brian Linehan is a retired pathologist who was previously Managing Director of Medlab Hamilton.

He is currently Chairman of the Tranmere group of investment companies and a Director of a number of other private companies. In 2014, he retired after 12 years on the Council of the University of Waikato where he was Pro-Chancellor.

He is a past Chairman of the New Zealand Medical Association, past Chairman of NZMA Ethics Committee, past President and Chairman of CMAAO (Combined Medical Associations of Asia and Oceania) and past Chairman of IANZ (International Accreditation NZ).

Brian was diagnosed with MS in 2007 but is still active and mobile.

Peter Wood - JP, BCom, AGNZ, ACIS, FNZTA

Treasurer

Peter gained his commerce degree at Victoria University of Wellington and has been practising as a Chartered Accountant initially in Wellington and then in Tauranga.

Peter was a respected and trusted advisor to many businesspeople.
He is now resident in Auckland and consultants to a limited number business clients.

He has also served his community through involvement with Jaycees, Lions and Rotary clubs and a number of charitable trusts.

Peter is currently the Treasurer of Multiple Sclerosis Auckland and a trustee of the Multiple Sclerosis Auckland Trust. Peter is a Justice of the Peace and a member Governance New Zealand and is a Fellow of the NZ Trustees’ Association.

Neil Woodhams

Trustee

Neil is an independent health management consultant who has had an extensive career in health management as a senior manager or consultant to government, DHBs, primary care and community providers. 

Neil is President of MS New Zealand and a trustee of the MS Auckland Region Trust. Neil was also President of MS Auckland until he stepped down from this role mid-2020 to concentrate on his national roles.

Neil’s wife was diagnosed with MS in 1994. One of his four sons was also diagnosed in 2010.

Neil strongly believes in the objectives of the NZ Multiple Sclerosis Research Trust and has advocated for the establishment of the Trust for over 10 years.

Sir William Gallagher

Trustee

Sir William is renowned as a motivational, pragmatic and hands-on businessman in and outside of New Zealand and has a reputation both as a dynamic leader and one of NZ’s most astute businessmen.

Still very involved in the daily operation, he maintains regular contact with customers in the 130 countries in which Gallagher products are sold spending up to 150 days a year on the road representing the company and its philosophies and emphasising the ethics and integrity of his professional and personal dealings.

His achievements have been officially recognised by a string of awards, the latest to mark his commitment to enterprise and leadership skills being his Knighthood in the 2010 New Year’s Honours List. He was also the 1996 winner of the prestigious Excellence in Communication Leadership award, the first time in its history that it had been awarded outside of North America. He also received an MBE in 1987 followed by a Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit (CNZM) in 1998.

Sir William Gallagher - KNZM, MBE. HonD

Patron

Sir William is renowned as a motivational, pragmatic and hands-on businessman in and outside of New Zealand and has a reputation both as a dynamic leader and one of NZ’s most astute businessmen.

Still very involved in the daily operation, he maintains regular contact with customers in the 130 countries in which Gallagher products are sold spending up to 150 days a year on the road representing the company and its philosophies and emphasising the ethics and integrity of his professional and personal dealings.

His achievements have been officially recognised by a string of awards, the latest to mark his commitment to enterprise and leadership skills being his Knighthood in the 2010 New Year’s Honours List. He was also the 1996 winner of the prestigious Excellence in Communication Leadership award, the first time in its history that it had been awarded outside of North America. He also received an MBE in 1987 followed by a Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit (CNZM) in 1998.