Healthcare workers in Santo are better equipped to provide life-saving emergency care to their communities following a Pacific Emergency Nurse Training (PENT) deployment made possible through the New Zealand Medical Treatment Scheme (NZMTS).

A leading genomics researcher based in Australia, Professor Lyn Griffiths AM is dedicated to advancing research that improves the diagnosis and treatment of long-term health conditions for Pasifika communities in Australia. She will be presenting at our upcoming PMA Conference.

Passionate about women's health and cancer care, Dr Michael Burling believes every woman deserves access to quality healthcare, no matter where they are born or live.

Dr Krupali Tappoo is the Director of the Sri Sathya Sai Sanjeevani Children’s Hospital, a family physician, and an Assistant Professor in Family Medicine at Fiji National University. Through healthcare leadership, clinical practice and medical education, she is committed to improving health outcomes across the Pacific. Dr Krupali will be joining us as a panelist at this year’s PMA Conference.

Paediatrician Dr Joshua Agnew, of Cook Islands descent, currently works in Tauranga Hospital with a passion for heart health, as well as Māori and Pacific health. As part of his roles within the Royal Australasian College of Physicians (RACP) and the Paediatric Society of New Zealand, he will be presenting at the upcoming Pasifika Medical Association Conference.

Dr Keresoma Leaupepe is a passionate advocate for Pacific-led research focused on preventing non-communicable diseases across Samoa and the wider Pacific. His presentation explores how changing food imports have shaped dietary patterns in Samoa and what this means for creating healthier food environments and reducing the burden of NCDs.

Through the New Zealand Medical Treatment Scheme (NZMTS), a specialist paediatric surgical team was brought to Vaiola Hospital, allowing for an infant in Tonga to receive life-saving surgery without leaving the country.

Dr Simone Watkins, of Samoan descent, is currently finishing her General Paediatrics training at Starship Hospital and is a researcher and Senior Lecturer at the University of Auckland. Driven to have a lasting positive impact in the health equity space for future generations, she will be presenting at the upcoming Pasifika Medical Association Conference about her research regarding a newly described immune deficiency which is known to only affect Pacific children.

From Satupaitea, Samoa, Professor Asiata Dr Satupaitea Viali is the Vice Chancellor and President of the Oceania University of Medicine, where he is helping shape the next generation of doctors across the Pacific and beyond. Driven by a passion for medical education and research, he is committed to strengthening healthcare for Pacific communities through both teaching and discovery. At this year's PMA Conference, he will share insights into the relationship between the ghrelin hormone, fasting, and cardiovascular health, exploring how science and spirituality can come together to inspire healthier futures for Pacific peoples.

Dr Chris Puli'uvea is passionate about advancing biomedical research that improves health outcomes for Pacific peoples. With a focus on immunology and genetics, his work aims to close critical knowledge gaps and ensure Pacific communities are represented in the science shaping the future of precision medicine. Dr Puli'uvea will be a panellist at the PMA Conference, and says he looks forward to exploring how stronger collaboration between researchers and clinicians can drive more relevant, impactful research for Pacific populations.

For Dr Vanisi Prescott, technology isn't just about innovation, it's about making healthcare more accessible and relatable. Passionate about improving health outcomes for Pacific communities, she uses social media to break down complex health information, build trust, and reach people where they already are. Dr Prescott will be a panelist at the upcoming PMA Conference and she reflects on the role of digital platforms in modern healthcare and why authentic communication matters.

Hailing from Kailua-Kona in Hawai'i, Dr Zanetta Toomata is currently a postdoctoral research fellow, affiliated with Massachusetts General Hospital Center for Genomic Medicine, Harvard Medical School, and the Broad Institute of MIT & Harvard.