Nirvana Health Group appoints Pharmac chief executive

Pharmac chief executive Steffan Crausaz is joining Auckland based primary healthcare provider Nirvana Health Group (NHG) in February as its chief operating officer.

Mr Crausaz has worked for Pharmac for 14 years, including more than six years as its chief executive.

“Steffan has transformed Pharmac over the past six years as chief executive and will be focusing on operational excellence within the Nirvana Health Group network,” NHG managing director Rakesh Patel says.

This is the second high-profile appointment this year for Nirvana Health Group, which has more 40 clinics including White Cross Healthcare, East Tamaki Healthcare and Mt Roskill Healthcare clinics.

Earlier this year former Radius Care chief financial officer (CFO) Stuart Bilbrough joined NHG’s senior management team as CFO.

Mr Patel says Mr Crausaz’s experience with Pharmac will be valuable to NHG as it continues to grow.

Before joining Pharmac Mr Crausaz trained as a pharmacist in the UK and his first jobs were in retail pharmacy and the National Health Service.

In addition to his Bachelor of Pharmacy, Mr Crausaz holds MSc and MBA degrees.

“It’s a fantastic opportunity to go back to my roots and work at the front line of primary health and make a real difference for patients,” he says.

“I am really looking forward to being part of the Nirvana Health Group team and further developing the business and leading its growth so we can help more New Zealanders.”