ABOUT US

Understanding our personal challenges or those of our children needs a 360 perspective.

Our personal approach focuses on this.  We see every person as an individual "pod" - waiting to be immersed in the optimal environment and nurtured to grow & flourish towards their future.  

We all have lived experiences of neurodiversity either personally or within our family.  We have also been on the other side of health care as patients.  Advocating for what is sometimes unspoken or not seen can be difficult. We are here to help translate those needs into action and to support you, parents, healthcare providers and/or your children on this journey.

  • Dr Heidi Baker

    MEDICAL

    Heidi is dual trained in General/Developmental Paediatrics and Emergency Medicine.  She works across the all ages from birth to 100!  Heidi understands the journey of neurodiversity through a lived experience and the exhaustion and misunderstanding this can bring.  Heidi is also a professional supervisor, certified coach and lover of nature.  This brings a curiosity and organic style to both patient encounters but also to supporting other health workers and parents.  As the founder of POD Health, Heidi is determined to help bring a fresh future to families and to the work force by bringing together a group of clinicians and coaches who share the same philosophy.

  • Cassie King

    NURSING/ADMINISTRATION

    Cassie is a Registered Nurse, administrator, and mother whose support and perspective are deeply aligned with POD Health.

    Her background spans emergency nursing, wilderness medicine, palliative care, oncology, and health & safety. Alongside this, her experience as a parent to neurodivergent children gives her a genuine understanding of both acute, short-term health needs and the sustained demands of parenting children different. This neurodivergent journey has even led her family to homeschooling—something that, while daunting at times, has become an unexpected gift.

    Cassie provides virtual support to POD Health. If she’s unable to respond to emails right away, she may be with her children as they learn together, or out enjoying one of the many mountain bike trails Nelson has to offer.

  • Dr Stephanie Mackie

    COACHING
    Adolescents/Rangatahi

    Stephanie is an executive function skills coach, Mum, kayaker, and Emergency Medicine specialist.  She brings to POD Health her Scottish humour, systems thinking and experience in navigating health and education systems when things don’t seem quite right. 

    Stephanie  does not provide medical assessments or medical advice in her role with POD Health – but her perspective & skills in supporting young people to problem solve, plan and to consider the pathway to their best self is simply magic.

Optimal sustained health requires more than traditional medical approaches.

Sleep, nutrition, movement & connection are paramount to us all feeling safe and able to be our true selves.

  • Darcy

    9 year old white ‘polar bear’ - Darcy is the gentle giant of the practice. He is likely to use his snaky powers to pry open the clinic door if he can! He has already had a few offers to move to new homes!

  • Hugo

    Our neurosparkly pup. Hugo’s first kennel report commented he “noticed and loved anything that moved or was sparkly”!

    Hugo tries to smile like a human and is mostly found rolling with his soft, fluffy blanket in the sun.

  • Loki

    Sadly Loki doesn’t get to visit POD Health as he is causing trouble in Nelson with Cassie where he lives up to his name ‘God of Mischief’.

    Loki is an Australian Shepherd - who are well known to be neurodivergent dogs - and while only 6 months is showing numerous ADHD traits.