The most recent webinar session focussed on Pacific psychiatric professionals and their experiences in the medical field, including Dr Brittany Tasesa Stanley-Wishart and Dr Etuini Ma’u.
Fifth-year Pacific medical student, Elsie Brown who is currently on placement in Whakatane says, the support from PMA through the webinar series has been really important for students to be able to connect with PMA and its wide network.
“It’s really cool now that PMA is reaching out to us and fostering that relationship with us medical students. That is really important, especially for new students coming through so they know the support they have at the beginning from PMA will be continuous throughout medical school.
“It’s so great being able to join in on the webinar online as well, it means I can still get involved from so far away.”
Brown adds that a highlight of the most recent webinar was hearing young Samoan doctor, Brittany Tasesa Stanley-Wishart talk about her experiences in medical school and normalising how hard the journey can be.
“I could relate to her story. She talked a lot about how it’s ok to not always be the perfect student, because it does get really hard. Especially being Pacific, our families always have other responsibilities and commitments outside of school and it does get difficult to stay on top of everything.”
“It’s really nice to hear a lot of perspectives especially from all different specialities as well…it exposes you to professionals already working in the field and their experiences and so, we know who we can reach out to for help or support in the future.”
University of Otago medical student, Christina Powell, is currently on placement in Dunedin Hospital and also joined the webinar via Zoom.
Powell says she is still deciding what to specialise in and so valued hearing from Tongan psychiatrist Dr Etuini Ma’u and his journey of finding his place in the medical field.
“He spoke about imposter syndrome and trying to find the place you fit in; the hospital, medicine and also your Pacific identity. That was something that really resonated with me. As a senior student who will graduate next year, thinking about where I can make a difference or what I can specialise in is something that’s always constantly on my mind. So, hearing other people speak on how they decided really helps.
The webinar is also a space for medical students from Auckland and Otago medical schools to connect, so it’s great to also have that interaction and support space from all Pacific medical students.”
Registrations are open for PMA’s annual conference held from the 8-10 September, at Te papa Museum in Wellington. This year’s theme is Reconnect, Reflect, Reframe and Reenergise with a focus on empowering young leaders and addressing mental health issues within the Pacific community. To register please click here.
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Date: Monday 16 August 2021