Monson was part of the Health Science Academy at Otahuhu College, which is supported by PMA, and says the experience opened his eyes to the possibility of a career in health.

"Towards my final year of school, they introduced the academy so I was able to experience things like hospital visits and getting extra support too. It sparked an interest in science and what career options there were in health; medicine was something that caught my attention."

Celebrating with his family and loved ones, he was thankful to have crossed the stage and to have made them proud. 

"It's awesome to be with family and to be reminded about my foundation, the values and the reason why I'm here; love, service, kindness and family. These are all values that are close to my heart and helped me get through my studies." 

Reflecting on the final leg of his studies, Monson expressed his gratitude for the PMA scholarship he received and how it supported him and his family. 

"It came at a time where I was preparing for exams in my fifth year, which was really stressful. I have my wife and two kids so to have had that extra financial support was really helpful just to get by and help me focus on my exams." 

For his mother, Falena Prouting, she says it was important to support her children's aspirations and education right from when they were young children. 

"I was a stay at home mum when raising our six kids and it was an important decision we made as a family; I wanted to be at home so we could support our kids, see them go to school and be there when they got home. 

It feels like it has been a long time coming, right from the beginning and we're very proud of him." 

Monson is excited for the journey ahead and the opportunity to contribute towards bettering the health system for Pacific peoples. 

"The big challenge now is to apply the values I was raised with into the medical field and to try make a difference for Pacific health and for those that I come in contact with."