A fervent supporter of reproductive rights and an expert in sexual and reproductive health, Dr. Simon Snook was born on September 16, 1972, in Shaftesbury, England, to British parents. He has received numerous accolades for his outstanding work in healthcare, the most recent of which being the esteemed King’s Honor ONZM for his work in the field of sexual and reproductive health. In his current role as Director of Magma Healthcare Ltd, he is leading the charge for sexual health services and clinical abortion in New Zealand. Not only that, Dr. Snook runs the Snip Vasectomy Clinic, which is the biggest and only vasectomy provider in the country. He uses his YouTube channel, “thekiwisexdoctor,” to teach people about sexual health in addition to his professional work.
In 1996, Dr. Snook began his medical career in the UK at the University of Birmingham, where he earned an MBBS and BS degree. Prior to moving on to general practice, he finished his education by studying obstetrics and gynecology. He laid the groundwork for his distinguished career in 2002 when he became a Member of the Royal College of General Practitioners. He moved to New Zealand in 2003 to pursue his lifelong dream of providing sexual and reproductive health services to a country that desperately needed them.
Dr. Snook has spent his whole career fighting for more equitable access to abortion services in New Zealand, especially for underserved and rural communities. He was a trailblazer in 2005 when he enabled early medical abortion at home in the Wairarapa and Tairawhiti regions; the program was later implemented countrywide. In 2008, he and Hauora Tairawhiti, motivated by a desire to include everyone, opened a medical and surgical abortion service in the community, making it easier for people in rural areas to access the procedure. The seminal article he authored, “Abortion services in a high-needs district: A community-based model of care,” has changed the way healthcare is provided in New Zealand.
Beyond his work in clinical practice, Dr. Snook is an outspoken advocate. He has played a key role in removing needless legal hurdles to access care by advocating for improvements to legislation that will streamline abortion services. He worked tirelessly, and in 2020, New Zealand’s laws were significantly changed, changing the game when it came to reproductive healthcare and doing away with the necessity for people to justify their choices. In spite of obstacles and resistance, Dr. Snook is determined to fulfill his aim of providing everyone with equal access to comprehensive reproductive healthcare.
Dr. Snook, looking back on his experience, stresses the significance of teamwork and combined efforts in healthcare advancement. He is grateful to his colleagues and other healthcare experts for their efforts to improve the field, but he remains humbled by his own praise. Everyone from his colleagues to his patients has nothing but praise and affection for Dr. Snook because of his relentless commitment to expanding access to healthcare, as well as his creative methods and caring attitude.
Through his YouTube channel, “thekiwisexdoctor,” Dr. Snook discusses important sexual health issues, dispels myths, and raises awareness, in addition to his clinical and advocacy activities. He goes above and beyond in clinical settings by using digital platforms to educate people so they may make educated decisions regarding their reproductive and sexual health.
New Zealand’s sexual and reproductive healthcare system will never be the same, thanks to Dr. Simon Snook, whose legacy is ever-changing. In the fight for universal healthcare access, his dogged activism, innovative programs, and steadfast dedication to patient-centered care shine a light.
