Navigating the healthcare system can be overwhelming.

Tune into our online health information session delivered by Dr Luke Ward to gain a better understanding on the topic of: Accessing General Healthcare for New Zealand Citizens!

Attendees will have an opportunity to ask questions and gain a better understanding to make more informed decisions about their own and their family’s health.

About Dr Luke Ward:

Dr Luke is a dedicated GP consulting from the rooms at Robina Town Medical Centre. With a robust background in Emergency Medicine training at Robina Hospital and Gold Coast University Hospital over a span of five years, Luke brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to our Oceania Pacific Health Association.

With special interests in chronic disease management, encompassing conditions such as asthma, emphysema/COPD, heart disease, diabetes mellitus, and osteoporosis. Luke's expertise in these areas allows him to provide personalised care and support to patients with chronic conditions, helping them manage their health effectively.

Held bi-monthly, the OPHA Webinar Series provides a valuable platform for OPHA members to connect and engage with Pacific health professionals across Australia and Oceania.

Our next OPHA Webinar Series will take place on Tuesday, 9th September.

We are thrilled to share our guest speakers:

• Dr Katrina Tonga, Respiratory & Sleep Medicine Physician

• Romana Kalolo, Registered Nurse & Diabetes Educator

If you have any queries, please do not hesitate to contact us - admin@opha.com.au

About Katrina Tonga:

Katrina Tonga is Respiratory and Sleep Medicine Physician in Sydney, NSW Australia and works as a Senior Staff Specialist at Westmead Hospital and Associate Professor at the University of Sydney. Her clinical and research interests are in airways disease (asthma, COPD, bronchiectasis) and using novel lung function techniques to detect and monitor chronic respiratory diseases. She remains actively involved in clinical research, education and mentoring through her roles as the President of the TSANZ NSW/ACT branch, Co-Chair of the Sydney Medical School Respiratory Block (University of Sydney), Research Affiliate of the Woolcock Institute of Medical Research and Adjunct Senior Lecturer at the University of New South Wales.

About Romana Kalolo:

Held bi-monthly, the OPHA Webinar Series provides a valuable platform for OPHA members to connect and engage with Pacific health professionals across Australia and Oceania.

Our next OPHA Webinar Series will take place on Tuesday, 15th July!

We are thrilled to share our guest speakers for our July Webinar Series:

• Dr Po'uliva'ati Funaki, Geriatrician

• Shane Sentuli, Psychologist

If you have any queries, please do not hesitate to contact us - admin@opha.com.au

About Shane Senituli:

Shane Senituli is an Australian Pasifika psychologist who has experience working across high performance and community sport, forensic, clinical, and community mental health settings. Shane is currently one of the club-based psychologists at the Redcliffe Dolphins and the Gold Coast Titans with League Ahead. A passion area for Shane is providing support to Pasifika communities across high performance and grassroots sport, schools, and organisations, where he provides a culturally sensitive service collaborating Western and Pasifika evidenced based practice. 

About Dr Po'uliva'ati Funaki:

Dr Po'uliva'ati Funaki is an Australian-based health professional trained as a Geriatrician (Aged Care Specialist) and General Physician.

This session will be presented by Senior Speech Pathologist, Siemma Kent.

In this safe space, attendees will have an opportunity to ask questions and gain a better understanding to make more informed decisions about their family’s health.

About Siemma Kent:

Siemma is a certified practising Speech Pathologist and founded Tok Tok Therapies in 2017 after working at an early intervention centre for four years. Specialising in autism as a new graduate prompted additional training within the field of applied behavioural analysis (ABA). Siemma has an in-depth knowledge of autism spectrum disorders, which has fuelled her motivation to continue learning over the years. 

She has a special interest in teaching functional communication and reducing maladaptive behaviours, Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC), early intervention and play-based therapy, teaching social skills, emphasising the importance of movement and developing motor skills, emotional regulation and sensory processing differences. 

Siemma is also an orofacial myofunctional therapist, which allows her to treat speech and feeding difficulties with a more holistic approach. Siemma’s approach reflects the ‘whole person’ and has a consideration for goals outside traditional Speech Pathology. She is passionate about upskilling and empowering parents and educators as consistency is key!

This session will be presented by Dr Levi Hou and focus on the topic of: Navigating the Health System

Navigating the healthcare system can be overwhelming and challenging. In this safe space, attendees will have an opportunity to ask questions and gain a better understanding to make more informed decisions about their own and their family’s health.

About Dr Levi Hou:

Dr Levi Hou has over 20 years' experience in maternal and reproductive health working in the medical practice industry and as a specialist Obstetrician Gynaecologist in Solomon Islands. He achieved his Bachelor and Masters degrees from the University of Papua New Guinea and the University of South Pacific respectively. He also holds a Diploma of Community Services, Qtafe with NDIS work experience with Endeavour Foundation, Queensland.

Currently working at True Relationships and Reproductive Health in Brisbane, Australia - Dr Hou is part of the Health in My Language team that delivers a variety of health topics in language to culturally and linguistically diverse communities. This project began in 2022 as a national response program to address barriers to vaccine literacy and vaccine update during the COVID-19 pandemic. His work has taken him across Australia to present to Pacific Australia Labour Mobility (PALM) workers - filling a much needed gap in the welfare of Pacific Islanders who now call Queensland home.

Skilled in healthcare management, clinical research and strategic planning, Dr Hou is also an associate of MRANZCOG and Pacific Society of Reproductive Health Workers (PSRH).

This session will be presented by Dr Geoff Muduioa and focus on the topic of general surgical disorders.

In this safe space, attendees will have an opportunity to ask questions and gain a better understanding to make more informed decisions about their health.

About Dr Geoff Muduioa:

Originally from Solomon Islands, Dr Geoff Muduioa graduated from the University of Otago, New Zealand. He commenced his surgical training at Dunedin Hospital, New Zealand as well as undertaking his advanced general surgical training.

After completion of his advanced general surgical training, he did two years of subspecialty training in breast and endocrine surgery at Christchurch Hospital, New Zealand and at Mater Adult Hospital.

Dr Muduioa deals with all aspects of general surgical disorders, such as abdominal wall Herniaea, skin lesions and gastrointestinal disorders. Dr Muduioa’s endocrine surgical practice encompasses benign and malignant thyroid disorders, parathyroid surgery (minimally invasive as well as exploration), adrenal disorders, and carcinoid tumours.

Dr Muduioa also deals with both benign and malignant breast disease. He has a special interest in oncoplastic breast techniques and can offer this to suitable patients. He also has interest in breast cancer risk reduction strategies in patients with strong family histories. Dr Muduioa will perform private work at Mater Private Hospital Springfield.

Dr Muduioa is a member of Mater Private Breast Cancer Centre.

Our next OPHA Webinar Series will take place on Tuesday, 20th May.

The theme for this session is: Early Child Development - “Nurture the now, empower the future.”

We are thrilled to share our two guest speakers for our May Webinar Series:

• Ana Waqairawaqa, Nurse Navigator

• Dr Eta Raicebe, Paediatrician

We look forward to seeing you all at the next OPHA Webinar Series!

About Dr Eta Raicebe:

Dr Eta Raicebe has a special interest in a broad range of paediatric health areas. Her expertise includes neonatal care, with a particular focus on newborns, as well as infant feeding and sleep concerns.She is passionate about supporting healthy child development and addressing behavioural issues in children. Dr Raicebe also has a strong interest in learning difficulties and works with families to help children reach their full potential.

She is experienced in adolescent health and the management of childhood obesity, and provides care across all aspects of general paediatrics. In addition, she is trained in Advanced Paediatric Life Support, ensuring she is well-equipped to respond to acute and emergency situations involving children.

About Ana Waqairawaqa:

Ana is a passionate Registered Nurse with 40 years of experience across Fiji, New Zealand, and Australia, specializing in child development and culturally responsive care. She holds a Master's in Health Practice (2010), Postgrad Dip in Health Sc (2007), Postgrad Cert in Speciality Care Pacific Health and Certificate in Tertiary teaching and has dedicated her time to mentoring future nurses and supporting Pasifika healthcare professionals. Ana is a former Bachelor of Nursing lecturer at Waiariki Institute of Technology, NZ (2008–2017) and part-time lecturer at James Cook University (2020–2022) and currently serves as Chairperson for the Australian College of Nursing in Northwest Queensland, advocating for nursing education, leadership, and cultural competence. She remains deeply committed to making a lasting impact in child health and nursing education and currently works as Nurse Navigator -Child Development Service in North West QLD - a role she has held since 2021.

This session will be presented by Dr Eta Raicebe and focus on the topic of paediatrics & children’s health.

In this safe space, attendees will have an opportunity to ask questions and gain a better understanding to make more informed decisions about their family’s health.

About Dr Eta Raicebe:

Dr Eta Raicebe has a special interest in a broad range of paediatric health areas. Her expertise includes neonatal care, with a particular focus on newborns, as well as infant feeding and sleep concerns.

She is passionate about supporting healthy child development and addressing behavioural issues in children. Dr Raicebe also has a strong interest in learning difficulties and works with families to help children reach their full potential.

She is experienced in adolescent health and the management of childhood obesity, and provides care across all aspects of general paediatrics. In addition, she is trained in Advanced Paediatric Life Support, ensuring she is well-equipped to respond to acute and emergency situations involving children.

OPHA Board Member, Dr Temalesi Rasoki-Windust will be on Talanoa with Dr. T to chat about women's health.

16 April 2025 | 5pm (ACST - South Australia Time) | Via zoom

Register via the link below to receive the zoom meeting link.

This year we are excited to be launching our OPHA Webinar Series which will occur every two months beginning on Tuesday, 18th March followed by sessions in May, July, September and November 2025. We will have two speakers at each webinar with a Q&A opportunity at the end. The webinar series will run for an hour starting at 7pm (AEST) and 8pm (AEDT).

We are thrilled to share our two guest speakers for our March Webinar Series: Dr Tema Windust & Leki Sisifa.

We look forward to seeing you all at the OPHA Webinar Series!

About Dr Temalesi Windust:

Dr Temalesi Windust is a Consultant Obstetrician & Gynaecologist with special interests in endoscopic & minimally invasive surgery, Urogynaecology & repro med.

Her role as a Consultant Obstetrician harnesses her comprehensive training in obstetrics and gynecology from The University of the South Pacific, University of Otago & Royal Australian & NZ college of obstetricians gynaecologists focusing on endoscopic procedures and minimally invasive techniques.

Her proficiency extends to basic and advanced laparoscopic procedures, urogynecology, enhancing patient outcomes and advancing the field. The work she is involved in integrates best international practices with individualized care, ensuring every intervention is aligned with our patients' choice and safety, and contributing to the evolution of accessible women's health services.

About Leki Sisifa:

Leki graduated from The Melbourne University in 2007 and has a vast amount of experience in sports physiotherapy with particular interest in the biomechanics of the lower limb (hip-knee-ankle-foot complex), sports rehabilitation, lifelong health/biohacking and strength and conditioning principles for home based professionals and Mums & Dads. A Victorian Rugby Union (VRU) physiotherapist at the age group and Senior level for over 8 years. He was also a traveling physiotherapist for many senior both men and women state rugby teams he has also had elite experience with various sporting groups and clubs.

Leki is also part of an initiative by WorkSafe Victoria and the Transport and Accident Commission (TAC) called ‘Early Intervention Physiotherapy Framework’ which is a specialised physiotherapy service aiming to achieve better health and work outcomes for injured workers/motorists. His experience with occupational physiotherapy can assist injured workers back to work in a safe and timely manner.

Away from helping people Leki enjoys being with his family and planning short stays at Big 4 camping sites around Australia!