PMA Life Awards 2022: Abel Smith
Updates , 24 Oct 22
Clinical Nurse Director, Pacific Health and Workforce, at the Auckland and Waitemata District Health Boards, and Pasifika Medical Association (PMA) Membership Board Director, Abel Smith, was honoured with a PMA Life Award for his services to nursing.

Mr Smith graduated from the Fiji School of Nursing in 1986 and worked at hospitals in Fiji before pursuing his nursing career in New Zealand. His wealth of experience and leadership saw him recognised for his services to nursing and midwifery with the NZNO National Award in 2015. Currently, he is the President of the Fiji Nurses Association NZ.

Mr Smith expressed his gratitude to PMA for the acknowledgement of a Life Award and is thankful to those who have supported him throughout his career.

“It was an honour that PMA acknowledged me, but it’s not just about me. There have been a lot of people who I’ve worked with over the years and I attribute it to them and my family who have helped me on this journey and pathway.

I'm very well aware that I was the only nurse that received the award this year. I want to acknowledge PMA for extending this honour to us nurses and acknowledging the work that nurses do to compliment healthcare services in NZ and around the Pacific.”

Mr Smith maintains his commitment to building the Pacific nursing workforce and changing the health outcomes for Pacific communities.

“What I love about nursing is that we contribute to people’s health outcomes improving. It’s rewarding to see our Pasifika engage better with healthcare services and with nursing services, but in particular seeing our families be given the opportunity to be given care in a supportive environment.”

Date: Tuesday 25 October 2022

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