Meet Ritchie Verano - Kalandra's Head Lecturer

Ritchie Verano 

Head Lecturer and Lecturer on the Diploma in Dementia Care (Work-Integrated or Practicum-Based) (Level 5)

 

A registered nurse in the Philippines, Australia and New Zealand, Ritchie’s direction was decided early in life. Having grown up in the Philippines and seeing people suffering because of a poor-quality health system, Ritchie went straight from secondary school to nursing school with the clear purpose of helping people in his community. 

Ritchie believes that caring for someone and meeting their needs allows the Health Carer to profoundly impact that person’s life at a time when they are most vulnerable and in need of expert care and caring. He has chosen to teach because his mission in life is to help as many people as possible receive high quality care. Teaching and mentoring students, who also aspire to help others through their healthcare skills, means he has a broader reach and there are positive outcomes for more people.

Before leaving the Philippines, his nursing career included Emergency Room and ambulance experience, and he ran a training centre for nurses and health professionals. Since arriving in New Zealand Ritchie has been an Occupational Health Nurse, First Aid Trainer, Community Support Worker and team leader in the Health and Disability sector. During his extensive career he has worked in programme development and moderation, and delivered multiple Healthcare Care Programmes across:

  • Risk Management
  • Infection Control
  • Palliative Care
  • Advocacy, Vulnerability and Abuse
  • Dementia Care
  • Emergency Management
  • Health and Disability

In the area of Healthcare Management Ritchie has taught Business Management, Marketing, Leadership and Management, Strategic Management, Global Business Communication and International Culture through his teaching of:

  • The Diploma in Business/ Leadership and Management
  • The Diploma in Healthcare Management

As the Head Lecturer at Kalandra, Ritchie provides support and oversight for teaching on all our programmes, and is the lecturer delivering the Diploma in Dementia Care (Work-Integrated or Practicum-Based) (Level 5) which commences for the first time on 13 July 2020.

Ritchie is invested in his students and their success, maintaining contact and a mentoring relationship well after graduation. His assistance even extends to guidance with their CV’s and interview preparation. Although he doesn’t come from a family of health care professionals, Ritchie has been the inspiration for two of his brothers – one is a qualified nurse and his youngest brother is currently studying to become one.

Kalandra CE Dr Christine Clark says “Ritchie is not only an inspiration to his brothers, he is a person who radiates enthusiasm, passion and caring. Ritchie supports not only his students, going above and beyond what he is meant to do, but he also applies this same dedication to mentoring our staff. Ritchie epitomises the values of Kalandra and his smile says it all – he really cares.”


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