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11 Jun 2010 | Press Release
The London-based entrepreneur flew into Hawke's Bay for a fleeting visit to her old school during a six- day business trip to New Zealand.
Eighteen months ago, Dr Chilman-Blair and fellow Kiwi doctor Kate Hersov founded a comic book series to help sick children better understand their illnesses.
The pair set up base in London and watched their idea for the educational comic take off into a successful business that now spans seven countries and four languages.
Dr Chilman-Blair spoke to staff and pupils about the Medikidz comics and what it took to be an entrepreneur.
She attended Havelock North High School from 1989 to 1993 and credited physics teacher Ron Barrett for much of her success.
"He was more like a life coach than a physics teacher," she said. "Being here today is almost a thank you to him."
Mr Barrett, who has taught at the school since 1975, said he could spot the pupils who had a talent.
"They have a look in their eye", he said.
"You know they're going to make it. But you can only encourage a talent, you can't make it.
Principal Bill Adams said teachers who knew Dr Chilman-Blair were "not the least bit surprised" at her success.
Her place in the business hall of fame stood to inspire future generations and remind them that, with some entrepreneurial spirit, they could turn their talent into a business opportunity.
Medikidz came into being when Dr Chilman-Blair worked as a paediatrician and noticed there were few resources that helped sick children understand their illnesses.
The books, which have received glowing reviews from doctors, parents and children, were launched in New Zealand earlier this week.