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

    Registered Nurse, Administrator, Coach and mother. The support and lens Cassie brings to POD Health is central.  Her background in emergency nursing (in both the hospital and wilderness environments), palliative care/oncology nursing, health & safety lead,  and now parent to neurodivergent children ensures Cassie truly understands the short-term acute health needs alongside the sustained demands of parenting children differently. 

    Cassie lives in Nelson, and provides virtual support to POD Health.  If she is not available to answer emails immediately – she may be with her children homeschooling or out on one of the many mountain bike trails that drew her to New Zealand from Australia.

  • 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

  • Hugo

  • Loki

    Sadly Loki doesn’t get to visit POD Health as he is causing trouble in Nelson with Cassie. He is living 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.