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In memoriam: Dr Claire McLintock, NZOM

We remember Claire for her accomplished career in Haematology and Obstetric Medicine, as a fearless champion for Women’s Health, and as a friend, mentor and colleague.

Claire was an exceptional clinician, always focused on doing the best she could for her patients and their families. She had a way of making complex information easily understandable. She made sure her patients were provided with all the information to make an informed choice. Claire believed in fostering strong ties with many specialties throughout the hospital so that we had the best minds looking after our most complex patients. 

Claire saw her role as a mentor and support for the next generation of specialists. She brought out the best qualities in people and taught them to believe in themselves and in their abilities. We will miss her sharing of knowledge; her kindness; her wicked sense of humour and that daily dose (or two) of piccolo. 

She had an active career in clinical research and was at the forefront of the New Zealand branch of the Australasian Maternity Outcomes Surveillance System (AMOSS) looking at severe maternal morbidity in complications. 

Claire was the first New Zealander to serve on the Council of the International Society of Thrombosis and Haemostasis (ISTH) and was president from 2018 to 2020. Together with her Council, Claire developed the diversity, equity and inclusion taskforce for the ISTH and developed their international training curriculum.

She was also the past-President of the Society of Obstetric Medicine of Australia and New Zealand (SOMANZ) from 2008 to 2010, and of the Australian Society of Thrombosis and Haemostasis from 2009 to 2011. 

Claire was Clinical Director for Regional Maternity Services for National Women’s Health from 2015 to 2017, and Clinical Lead for Obstetric Medicine before that.  Claire helped to establish the Obstetric Medicine Fellowship Program at Auckland City Hospital in 2016 – a program that is now world renowned for its excellent training – and introduced us to many wonderful and talented international colleagues.

In October, Claire was the keynote speaker at the 2022 SOMANZ Annual Scientific Meeting. She gave an inspired final presentation on the search for the best anticoagulation in pregnancy with mechanical heart valves.

We will miss Claire very much and send our love to her family, especially to husband John; daughters Hart and Vita; and son-in-law Anthony. She will be sorely missed.

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