In the latest in our series focusing on NZ Paralympic Team support staff attending the Milano Cortina 2026 Paralympic Winter Games, we shine a light on Medical and Health Lead, Dr Julie Milmine.
Responsible for the health and wellbeing of the NZ Paralympic Team at Milano Cortina 2026, Dr Julie Milmine has to prepare for any eventuality. Potentially dealing with anything from injury prevention, on-site acute care and the medical management, tailored to the unique needs of each Para athlete, Julie requires impressive versatility and a cool-head to fulfil the role in a high pressure environment.
Born in South Africa and spending periods of her childhood living in Botswana and Namibia before relocating with her family to Auckland aged 12, she grew up dreaming of becoming a vet. However, instead she opted to study medicine, where she has gone on to work as a General Practitioner and specialises as a Musculoskeletal Medicine Physician.
With a huge passion for sport – she skied, did aerobics and horse riding and played tennis and netball in her youth – and given her medical background, when she saw a job advertised as Team Doctor for the NZ Paralympic Team at the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games, she jumped at the chance to apply.
“I thought as a GP and also as a specialist in musculoskeletal medicine was a good base from which to apply,” she explains.
Successfully securing the role, she worked alongside the Medical Team Lead, Dr Jake Pearson, at Tokyo 2020, in which a major responsibility was best ensuring the Team remained COVID-free.
Enjoying the experience in the Japanese capital, she successfully applied for the position as Medical and Health Team Lead at the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games. Just like Tokyo 2020, Nelson-based Julie thoroughly enjoyed the role, although the Milano Cortina 2026 Paralympic Games presents a slightly different challenge for Julie. Attracted to being part of a smaller, intimate Team and herself a keen skier, the Winter Paralympic Games ticked a lot of boxes for the experienced medic.
Potentially treating anything from respiratory, gastro-related illness, anxiety, sleep issues, injuries and even skin conditions on pressure areas – common in Para athletes – are just an overview of what Julie may have to handle in her role.
So are there many differences between working at an event with Para athletes as opposed to an event with non-disabled athletes?
“There is a lot more complexity depending on the condition of the Para athletes but many Para athletes are experts in their own condition and we are often happy to be guided by the Para athlete,” she explains. “For me, it will take time to get to know the Para athletes and the coaches but a lot of the time any medical conditions are very well managed in the background.”
Yet true success for Julie in Milano Cortina 2026 would be for the Team to enjoy a seamless campaign without any medical issues compromising the performance goals of the Para athletes.
A critical NZ Paralympic Team member at her third Paralympic Games (two summer one winter) she is excited about the challenge ahead, but why do it?
“A number of reasons,” she says. “In my day job I work a lot on my own but I really enjoy the teamwork. The Para athletes themselves are so inspirational and to be a small part of their campaign is a privilege. I also enjoy the travel and also the variety of challenges the role brings from a medical perspective.”
