Jeff Mabbett to lead ProMedical’s emergency response

ProMedical announced this week the appointment of New Zealander Jeff Mabbett as its new National Manager, with full responsibility for ProMedical's emergency response operations in Vanuatu. This appointment is aimed at further enhancing ProMedical's emergency service capabilities in the region.

Douglas Patterson, Chairman of the Vanuatu Emergency Services Association (VESA), the non-profit organization overseeing ProMedical's operations, congratulated Mabbett on his appointment and wished him well in overcoming the various challenges in providing such community services. Chairman Patterson's congratulations reflect VESA's recognition of Mabbett's abilities and expectations for his future work.

Mr. Mabbett was promoted to the National Manager position by the VESA Board after a regional recruitment campaign at the end of last year. Prior to this, he had served as ProMedical's Clinical Manager. This promotion is an affirmation of his past work and marks a new chapter in his career with ProMedical.

In congratulating Mabbett, the VESA Chairman mentioned his extensive academic background, including an Ambulance EMT Diploma, a Bachelor of Health Science, and postgraduate qualifications in emergency medicine, advanced resuscitation, critical care paramedicine, incident management, and a New Zealand Business First Line Management Certificate. These qualifications demonstrate that Mabbett possesses the professional knowledge and management skills to be competent in this position.

Chairman Patterson noted, "As ProMedical has grown over the past 20 years, including ProRescue and the Santo Ambulance Station, it has become increasingly important to have a national team leader who is both a qualified clinician and has an understanding and experience in business management." He emphasized the need for leaders with both clinical expertise and business management experience as ProMedical continues to develop and grow.

Mabbett's extensive professional background in New Zealand includes serving as Operations Manager for Hato Hone St John Emergency Ambulance Service, followed by Clinical Services Manager for Think Hauora in Palmerston North. He also served as COVID-19 Health System Response Manager for the New Zealand Ministry of Health. Prior to moving to Port Vila to work for ProMedical last year, Mabbett was again based in Wellington as National Operations Manager for Access Community Health, a large national private community health service provider.

Mabbett told the Daily Post, "My family and I are delighted to be in Vanuatu helping to provide an important service for the whole community. As we witnessed in December, the response of the ProMedical clinical team and ProRescue volunteers following the earthquake was outstanding. We have a great team, and I am proud to be leading them." He expressed his joy in working in Vanuatu and his pride in the team's excellent performance.

The VESA Chairman took the opportunity to state, "ProMedical is sustained only by subscription fees, donations, sponsorships, and fundraising, and these revenue streams can never be guaranteed. We do need the support of the whole community to survive and continue to provide the quality service that the entire ProMedical team delivers." He called on the community to continue supporting ProMedical to ensure it can continue to provide vital emergency services.