Māori and Pacific Governance groups were formed before the initiation of the study. They have continued to meet periodically to discuss and inform study protocols and any issues that have arisen during the study, particularly those pertaining to Māori and Pacific acute rheumatic fever patients and their whānau.
These Governance groups, led by Willy-John Martin and Indigo Matisi, will continue to be involved in the interpretation and dissemination of the study’s findings.
They are supported by the New Zealand START team, consisting of researchers and medical staff such as Dr Rachel Webb (Principal Investigator/Paediatric Infectious Diseases Physician), Dr Nigel Wilson (Paediatric Cardiologist), A/Prof Nikki Moreland (Biomedical Scientist), Dr Reuben McGregor (Biomedical Scientist), Dr Julie Bennett (Project Manager), Shirley Lawrence (Research Nurse Manager), Roxanne Buchanan (Study Nurse), Alicia Stanley (Study Nurse), and Renee Clark (Study Nurse).
From left to right: Dr Rachel Webb, Dr Nigel Wilson, A/Prof Nikki Moreland, Shirley Lawrence, Dr Reuben McGregor, Roxanne Buchanan, Dr Julie Bennett.