Deborah Bush, QSM.  Dip Tchg. LSB

Deborah co-founded Endometriosis New Zealand in1985 and is now its Chief Executive.

Deborah has a diverse professional background in primary and secondary school teaching and successfully ran her own speech and drama business and prior to that her own dance studio.  She has experience in sales and marketing through her own businesses and in corporate employment.  She has a reputation as an dynamic speaker having presented at conferences and functions nationally and internationally.

She has been instrumental in raising awareness of endometriosis and its far-reaching consequences on quality of life and fertility in New Zealand and overseas and has an expert knowledge of the impact endometriosis imposes on the individual and families and the enormous burden it often creates socially and financially.

She has been responsible for the development of the organisation’s structure, strategic planning and funding and has initiated and implemented unique and innovative projects in many outreach campaigns. 

In 1997 she developed what has become the internationally acclaimed adolescent  programme in schools (Menstrual Health and Endometriosis), a Health Innovation Award Finalist in 2007.  www.me.school.nz. 

Deborah is an advocate of a multi-disciplinary holistic approach to treatment in an integrative health environment.  In 1999 she designed the curriculum and implemented a comprehensive holistic patient educational, counselling programme she runs privately at endometriosis clinics in New Zealand.  This formed the basis of the Patient Partnering Programme she developed offered by Endometriosis NZ in hospitals.  She developed the WISE workplace wellness programme in 2010 which recognises endometriosis and related health issues as a major workforce issue.  Air NZ were the first corporate to roll the programme out in NZ.

She is a recognised authority on endometriosis, is published and has co-authored several books. She sits on the International Endometriosis Zone Advisory Board and Chair’s Asia Pacific Endometriosis Alliance (APEA).  She facilitates a business women’s networking group.

In the 2003 Queens Birthday Honours she was awarded the Queens Service Medal (QSM) for her contribution to Women’s Health and in 2007 she was awarded the Paul Newman Award for her services to women’s health.   She received the “International Outstanding Service Award” in March 2011, commemorating the 100^th year celebration of International Women’s Day.