Rachel Swann

(Ngāti Porou, Rongowhakaata) Dip Phys, Dip Manip, MPNZ, Oncology and Lymphoedema Physiotherapist

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Rachel Swann

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Kia ora I am a Māori clinician researcher and have worked as an oncology physiotherapist since 2008. My clinical mahi is regionally-based, including implementing early intervention physiotherapy services and pathways for breast cancer in Hawke's Bay, outreach cancer rehabilitation services in Wairoa, and exercise oncology in Hawke's Bay and Tairāwhiti.  I lead initiatives to advance health equity for Māori in physiotherapy cancer rehabilitation and champion prehabilitation and exercise oncology as core elements of high-quality cancer care. I combine a clinical role in the Oncology Physiotherapy service at Te Whatu Ora Tairāwhiti with a Research role in the Māori Health Rangahau team at Te Whatu Ora Waikato. As a member of the research team for 'Whiria Te Aka Matua: A New Holistic Model of Care for Early Breast Cancer',  I work collaboratively with a team of experienced researchers and clinicians at the Department of Anaesthesiology, University of Auckland. We are co-designing culturally responsive prehabilitation approaches for wāhine Māori with breast cancer. I value collaborative research that bridges clinical practice and evidence to improve outcomes for patients, whānau and communities, while supporting Māori aspirations, and advancing hauora.