Rate My Professor Hazel Neser

Hazel Neser is a Professional Practice Fellow in the Department of Radiation Therapy within the Faculty of Health Professional Programmes, Health Sciences Division, at the University of Otago, Wellington. Holding qualifications of MA(Hons) and PGHDipEd, she is recognized as an Educational Psychologist. Neser has made significant contributions to the radiation therapy programme over twenty years, including a recent return after a three-year break. She currently convenes the Year 1 Health and Human Behaviour paper (RADT126) and Years 1 and 2 Healthcare Communication papers (RADT213), focusing on advanced healthcare communication and behavioural aspects relevant to radiation therapy students. In addition to her academic role, Neser works with Mary Potter Hospice, delivering workshops and programmes on palliative care, loss, and grief to health professionals, social services, and community organizations. She has provided community-based grief support for the past 25 years and facilitates a support group for people affected by cancer with the Cancer Society in Wellington.

Neser's research specializations centre on interprofessional education (IPE), radiation therapy education, peer group supervision to mitigate burnout, and communication skills training. She contributes to the University of Otago's INVOLVE IPE initiative, helping radiation therapy students understand interdisciplinary roles. Key publications include 'New Zealand radiation therapists’ perceptions of peer group supervision as a tool to reduce burnout symptoms in the clinical setting' (2020, Journal of Medical Radiation Sciences), 'Keeping it going: The importance of delivering interprofessional education during the COVID-19 pandemic' (2021), 'Forming inter-institutional partnerships to offer pre-registration IPE: a focus group study' (2019), 'Key Strategies for First-Time Interprofessional Teachers and those Developing New Interprofessional Education Programs' (2018), and 'The positive impact of interprofessional education: A controlled trial to evaluate a programme for health professional students' (2015). Her work has garnered 303 citations across 12 publications. Neser received the Outstanding Service Award from PONZ in 2017 for her expertise in education, training radiation therapists on patient interactions, organizing two PONZ conferences, providing workshops, and serving over ten years on the PONZ Executive, including four years as President.