New board member of the Pasifika Medical Association’s (PMA) Membership Board, Dr Elizabeth Dunn, MBChB, FANZCA, says she wants to use her new position to increase the visibility of Pacific in the medical profession.
Dr Dunn is a Cook Island anaesthetist based in Auckland and says that her new role requires her to lead by example on a board that supports a network of more than 3,000 Pacific health professionals.
“If we can start with increasing our visibility and leadership within our medical profession then that will have a positive flow-on effect for our patients and their outcomes.
I want to increase the pipeline of Pasifika medical students graduating from medical school and getting them into specialist and leadership positions within the medical profession.
I believe that our Pasifika patients will benefit from having more representation and having medical professionals that understand their world view and understand where they come from.”
Dr Dunn is one of a few Pacific anaesthetists and chose the same career as her father, renowned surgeon Dr John Dunn. She graduated from medical school in 2007 and moved to London to “spread her wings” as a doctor. She returned and did a fellowship at the Counties Manukau DHB, assisting high risk women to deliver their babies.
She joins the board with fellow members, Chair Dr Jitoko Cama (FRACS), Dr Kiki Maoate (ONZM, FRACS), Dr Lupe Taumoepeau (FRACS) Mr Able Smith and Dr Maryann Heather (BHB, MBChB) who is also new to the board.
Dr Dunn is looking forward to working with her childhood friend from Auckland, Dr Taumoepeau. The pair went to the same kindergarten and completed their entire schooling together.
“It’s exciting to be working with Dr Lupe. She’s influential within the surgical world and is a leader as the first female vascular surgeon in New Zealand. She’s passionate about the PMA and organises regular webinars that inspire Pasifika medical students and doctors, bringing them together and helping to develop important networks.”
The PMA members are based all over the Pacific and include specialist level doctors, student doctors, nurses, pharmacists, psychologists, social workers, community health workers and our vast non-clinical workforce. Their aim is to work collaboratively to strengthen the Pacific health workforce and meet the medical needs of Pacific people in New Zealand and the Pacific region.
“It’s about being counted and being involved in strengthening the Pacific community in medicine. It’s a great support network, which has the visibility and the ability to advocate for our people.”
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Date: Thursday 29 April 2021