Meet Our Doctors
Dr Albert Poortier
I completed my undergraduate degree at The University of Pretoria in South Africa. I then completed my house surgeon years at Timaru and Hastings Memorial Hospitals here in NZ. I worked in anaesthetics before completing vocational training. I owned my own practice in South Africa before for 20 years before moving to Thames in 2017. I enjoy doing equestrian sport and outdoor activities with my wife and two sons.
Dr Kerry Hennessy
I graduated from Otago University in 1983. I have worked all over NZ in various roles at various hospitals before settling here in Thames as a GP in 1988. I have been a director of Thames Medical Centre ever since. I have previously worked extensively in obstetrics. I enjoy the variety of general practice. When not at work, I enjoy mountain biking, music and spending time with my wife, three adult sons, and our two dogs, Hazel and Sprite.
Dr Margaret Parle
I have been a GP for 24 years. My areas of special interest are palliative care and post-natal depression.
I also work at the horse races looking after jockeys.
I am married with two daughters.
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Dr Stephen Gunn
I have been a general practitioner and director here at Thames Medical Centre for 10 years. I studied at Otago university before relocating my family to Thames, initially working at Thames Hospital and now full time in general practice. I have a post-graduate diploma in child health and a Fellowship in the College of General Practitioners. I live in Thames with my wife and have six children of various ages. My interests outside of medicine are boating and fishing, and enjoying time with family.
Dr Kerry Daniel
I graduated from Otago Medical School in 2009 and completed my GP Fellowship in 2018. I really enjoy the breadth of general practice and particularly value long-term relationships with my patients. I work 3 days a week at Thames Medical Centre and am also a busy Mum, looking after our 3 school-aged children. I'm a keen gardening, runner and enjoy spening time with our community of friends here in Thames.
Dr Juan Meza Budani
I graduated from Universidad Abierta Interamericana on 2004. Then I moved to Spain, where I completed my training and Master’s Degree in Emergencies.
To complete my studies, I finished my PhD in the USA; the topic was Diabetic Ketoacidosis, an acute complication of Diabetes Mellitus.
After working in Emergencies for over 17 years in Argentina, Spain, the UK and NZ, I decided to become a General Practitioner in 2023, when I joined the Thames Medical Centre.
When I’m not working, I enjoy spending time with my wife and our dogs and cat, anything related to barbecues, playing the bass, water sports, and all activities related to football, mainly being a referee.