The awarding of scholarships is a major avenue through which PMA addresses the objective of providing opportunities to enable Pacific people to reach their aspirations. 

Dr Vaihola Mausa, whose family migrated from the Kingdom of Tonga to pursue higher opportunities for their family, was awarded the Dr Leopino Foliaki University of Auckland Scholarship in 2020. Having completed her medical training, Dr Mausa is now in her second year as a House Officer at Auckland Hospital. 

“The scholarship helped fund my last year of medical school which was spent in Taranaki. I really enjoyed working there; must be the small village kid in me but I wanted to get more experience in rural medicine.  In these communities you can see the health inequities being amplified. At that time, there was a midwives shortage due to mandatory vaccinations for healthcare workers. I had the opportunity to utilise my training in O&G by helping deliver babies and running prenatal clinics.” 

“Systemic barriers continue to be one of reasons why Pasifika peoples hold the statistics for higher levels of health risks and unhealthy behaviours. So I would love to see a future in which more Pasifika occupy spaces where our voices will be heard, especially in leadership." 

Remonde Manu, a nursing graduate who is studying part time towards a Postgraduate Certificate in Advanced Nursing, was the recipient of PMA’s Christina Atoa Tapu Nursing Scholarship, and shares the value that this had on her journey.  

“The PMA scholarship not only helped alleviate the financial burden that I was facing at the time, but it also reaffirmed my space in the nursing field. After the passing of my nana two months prior, I lost motivation to continue on. I found it hard navigating grief and the stress that came with completing my final semester.” 

“My aspiration for Pacific health sees a health system that provides the same equitable access to primary, secondary and tertiary services for Pacific people as their non-Pacific counterparts; a system that seeks influence from Pacific health models to reduce health disparities from a Pacific lens.”  

PMA CEO, Debbie Sorensen relays PMA’s commitment to the strengthening health outcomes and opportunities for Pacific people.  

“To acknowledge this service and commitment, members of the Association established the Pasifika Medical Association Education Fund, which provides study grants and support to Pacific secondary and tertiary students focused on a career in health and Pacific doctors and nurses to undertake short courses and study tours,” she says.  

“We would not be able to provide these opportunities without your special support of our annual Charity Ball & Auction.”   

You can read the stories of past PMA recipients here: https://pmagroup.org.nz/updates  

Tickets to the 2023 PMA Charity Ball and Auction are on sale now at membership.pacifichealth.org.nz/charity-ball-2023