The Pasifika Medical Association (PMA) Group congratulates founding PMA Member and Paediatrician, Dr Teuila Percival QSO, who will be made a Dame Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit for her services to health and the Pacific community, following the announcement of this year's King's Birthday Honours List.

Inspired by his paternal grandmother who served as a nurse in Tonga, Dr Ha'ano Fonua pursued medicine at university and is now working as a Junior Doctor at Middlemore Hospital, with Te Whatu Ora Counties Manukau. Dr Fonua was also a recipient of PMA's Dr Leopino Foliaki University of Auckland Scholarship in 2020.

Monson Prouting was the recipient of the 2021 Papaali'i Dr Semisi Ma'ia'i scholarship and we caught up with him after his graduation from the University of Otago.

As the people of Tonga continue to mourn the passing of Her Royal Highness Princess Mele Siu'ilikutapu Kalaniuvalu Fotofili, tributes continue to flow for the Princess, with reflections and memories being shared from Tonga and the world. Among these reflections are those of Lord Viliami Tangi 'o Vaonukonuka, Pasifika Medical Association (PMA) Patron, who shares in the grief of the Pacific nation as he fondly recalls working with the Princess.

Recipient of the PMA Dr Leopino Foliaki Scholarship in 2020 and a graduate from the University of Auckland, Dr Vaihola Mausa, pursued medicine when encouraged by a Careers Advisor in high school to explore the option. Dr Mausa is now in her second year as a House Officer at Auckland Hospital, completing an Orthopaedics run.

Samoan/Tongan Physiotherapist and PMA Member, Lilo Oka Sanerivi, is currently representing New Zealand on the world stage at the World Physiotherapy General Meeting held in Dubai. Hailing from the villages of Matautu-Uta, Lefaga in Upolu, and Fusi, Safotulafai in Savaii, he holds his culture and language close to him in his work, as well as with his small business 'Ma'au', publishing bilingual Pacific language books for children with his wife.

The Pasifika Medical Association’s (PMA) fourth annual Charity Ball is set to take place on Friday 18 August 2023 at the Cordis in Auckland. As one of PMA’s major calendar events, the ball will raise funds for PMA’s Education Fund, which are distributed through a variety of scholarships.

Through his passion for health and family experiences with medical conditions, Dr David Nair was determined to pursue a career in healthcare. Having studied Biomedical Science and Medicine at the University of Otago, Dr Nair is currently in his fourth year as a Junior Doctor and is relishing in the opportunity to continue learning and growing.

The Pasifika Medical Association (PMA) expresses our heartfelt condolences to His Majesty King Tupou VI, Queen Nanasipauʻū Tukuʻaho, the Royal Family and the people of Tonga on the passing of Her Royal Highness Princess Mele Siu'ilikutapu Kalaniuvalu Fotofili.

Hailing from the Fiji Islands, Charlene McGechan was born in Lautoka and is from the village of Maunisolo in Kadavu. Currently in her final year of a nursing degree at the Universal College of Learning (UCOL) in Whanganui, she never considered it as a pathway until a life changing moment which pushed her to pursue it as a career.

Amio Matenga Ikihele, General Manager – Community & Innovations for Moana Connect, presented on their DIGIFALE Programme at last year's PMA Conference held in Wellington. We connected with Amio to hear some of her reflections:

Vilingatoni was the recipient of the 2021 PMA Dr Leopino Foliaki University of Auckland Scholarship. We caught up with him around his passion for medicine and health and how the scholarship helped him during his university studies.