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Meet the rest of the Auckland & Northern team

Starship Auckland/Northland Adolescent and Young Adult (AYA) Team

Standing left to right: Karyn Bycroft (Nurse Practitioner for Palliative Care), Paula Baker (Hospital Play Specialist), Jan Melbourne (Northern Health School Principal), Carolyn Dougal (Hospital Play Specialist), David Bettany (Psychiatrist), Mark Winstanley (Paediatric Oncologist)Seated left to right: Tracey Vincent (AYA Keyworker), Terena Ru-Tuani (Starship Clinic Co-ordinator), Karen Barnett (Social Worker). Absent: Natasha Blair (RN on ward 27B)

Auckland Haematology Team

Left to Right: Anton Rajakariar (Health Care Assistant), Rosie Howard (Transplant Nurse Specialist), Julia Davidson (Daystay Co-Co-ordinator), Tracey Vincent (crouching) (AYA Keyworker), Simone Macmillan (Daystay Staff Nurse/AYA Rep), Sharon Blair (Middlemore Hospital Charge Nurse), Donna Morman (Middlemore Hospital Staff Nurse), Sue Hemi (Clinic Administrator), Unknown, Maryanne Offner (Daystay Staff Nurse), Lynn-Marie Ellis (seated) (Daystay Staff Nurse). 

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Heidi Watson

The Clinical Leader is responsible for providing clinical leadership and national oversight of the network .

Heidi is a passionate and experienced health professional with a strong clinical, education and leadership background. Her enthusiasm for, and commitment to youth health has focused on improving the outcomes of youth with cancer and chronic health conditions. Previously, Heidi held the position of AYA Cancer Nurse Specialist for Auckland District Health Board. Alongside her AYA clinical leadership role she holds a youth health academic position at the University of Auckland.

Cristal Salatas

Cristal 2025

Cristal Salatas is the Research & Data Lead for the AYA Cancer Network. She is also a PhD candidate at the University of Auckland, specialising in Perinatal Sciences. Her research utilises Geographic Information Systems (GIS) to analyse the spatial, nutritional, environmental, and socioeconomic determinants of preterm birth risk across New Zealand. Cristal’s research bridges spatial epidemiology, GeoAI-driven risk modelling, and public health policy, ensuring that geospatial insights translate into actionable healthcare solutions.

Cristal has also conducted cancer research at her alma mater (University of Florida), where she developed a successful killing assay for glioblastoma multiforme. Now, she will build on that foundation by leading research and data efforts to support adolescents and young adults facing cancer across Aotearoa.