Speakers
Join leaders, practitioners, researchers, and changemakers at our OPHA Conference 2026 as we come together to exchange ideas, build stronger networks, and shape the future of Pacific health. Learn more about our speakers below and register today to be part of the conversations driving what's next!
Anasina Gray-Barberio MP
Anasina Gray-Barberio MP is the first Pasefika woman elected to the Victorian Parliament, representing the Greens in the Northern Metropolitan Region in the Legislative Council. Proud of her Samoan heritage, Anasina is a passionate advocate for multicultural communities, women, children and families.
Anasina is passionate about ensuring Pacific and multicultural voices are represented in decision-making spaces and is committed to advancing policies that create healthier, safer and more equitable outcomes for all communities. Before entering Parliament, Anasina worked on the frontline with communities experiencing homelessness, family violence and systemic disadvantage, giving her deep insight into the social determinants that impact health and wellbeing across culturally diverse communities.
As the Greens spokesperson for multiculturalism, anti-racism, women, and child protection she brings lived experience, cultural leadership and strong community advocacy into Parliament.
Victoria Greens MLC for Northern Metropolitan Region
Dr Silina Motofaga
Dr Silina Motofaga is a highly respected medical professional with over 20 years of experience dedicated to improving health outcomes across the Pacific. As the Team Leader for the Clinical Services Programme at The Pacific Community (SPC), Silina works closely with SPC’s member countries to design and implement sustainable health programs that address key challenges, including maternal and child health, infectious disease control, and equitable access to quality care. Her role leads initiatives that ensure clinical services in the Pacific are aligned with global health standards while meeting the unique needs of island communities.
Silina’s leadership is demonstrated through her ability to drive strategic initiatives, enhance program delivery, and foster collaboration between healthcare providers and policymakers. Previous roles with the World Health Organization and UNFPA have further strengthened her influence in advancing public health across the region. With a deep commitment to improving health outcomes for Pacific Island populations, Silina continues to champion programs that expand healthcare access, fortify local health systems, and elevate the overall well-being of communities throughout the Pacific.
The Pacific Community, SPC
Success Stories from Pacific Health Networks
Dr Michael Burling
Dr Michael Burling is a surgeon at St George Public Hospital, St George Private Hospital, and Liverpool Hospital. He specialises in the assessment, management and treatment of all gynaecological conditions. This includes pre-cancers and cancers of the ovary, uterus, cervix, vulva, and vagina. He is a highly skilled minimally invasive surgeon, specialising in laparoscopy and robotic surgery.
He is a qualified Obstetrician and Gynaecologist with the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists (RANZCOG). Michael is also a Certified Gynaecological Oncologist (CGO). He is the chair of the Western Pacific Gynaecological Oncology Liaison Group (WPGOLG) which works to provide specialised medical care and services to Pacific Island Nations.
Gynaecological Oncologist
Dr Benedict Kakala
Dr Benedict Kakala completed his General surgical training through the Western Sydney training network in 2022. He completed two years of Surgical Oncology fellowship at Westmead hospital in 2023 and Prince of Wales hospital in 2025 (NSW). He also completed an ANZES Endocrine surgery fellowship at the Royal Brisbane and Women's hospital in 2024 (QLD).
He is currently employed as a Staff Specialist consultant at RBWH / STARS hospitals (QLD).
He has an invested interest in health care in the South Pacific region including working closely with the Kingdom of Tonga.
General and Endocrine Surgeon
Tieri Heritage
Tieri Heritage is an Australian-born Rotuman/Fijian registered nurse at St George Hospital, New South Wales. With clinical experience spanning acute hospital care, rural and remote Australia, public health, and community engagement, Tieri is passionate about advancing health outcomes for Pacific peoples through culturally safe and holistic care.
Grounded in the Pacific values of service, connection, and collective wellbeing, Tieri recognises the profound influence of her Rotuman and Fijian heritage on her practice. She has also witnessed firsthand how acknowledging identity, culture and history can fundamentally change the way patients engage in their own health journey. Tieri is committed to advocating for culturally responsive healthcare that honours the strengths, knowledge, and diversity of Pacific communities.
Registered Nurse
Jane Sinclair
Jane Sinclair has worked in public health for the past 25 years, specialising in surgical nursing. For the last 15 years, she has been the Upper GI Specialist Nurse at Westmead Hospital, where she works with patients and multidisciplinary teams to support people through complex upper gastrointestinal surgery.
Jane is also the co-founder of Norma's Foundation, a not-for-profit organisation that supports healthcare in the South Pacific. The Foundation works alongside local healthcare professionals to provide education, offer scholarships, and support initiatives that strengthen local health services. Jane has a particular interest in education and mentoring and enjoys sharing knowledge with colleagues and healthcare teams. She remains committed to improving patient care and supporting healthcare professionals both in Australia and across the South Pacific through her ongoing clinical and volunteer work.
Clinical Nurse Specialist
Dr Colin Brook
Dr Colin Brook completed his General Surgery training in Fiji in 2012 before moving to Melbourne to undertake fellowships in Paediatric Surgery and Paediatric Urology. Since then, Melbourne has become home for him and his family.
Dr Brook has worked at Victoria's two major paediatric tertiary hospitals—Monash Children's Hospital and The Royal Children's Hospital. He currently practises as a Paediatric Urology Career Medical Officer at The Royal Children's Hospital, where he is dedicated to providing specialised urological care for children.
Paediatric Urologist
Vunirewa Uluilakeba
Vunirewa Uluilakeba is a nurse leader, educator, and advocate committed to advancing nursing leadership, professional development, and health equity. Holding postgraduate qualifications in Nursing and a Master of Professional Practice (Leadership), brings extensive experience in clinical practice, education, and community leadership. As the Founder and Executive Director of the Fiji Nurses & Healthcare Workers Association Australia (FNHWAA), he champions initiatives that empower nurses and strengthen healthcare communities. He also serves as Secretary of the Fijian Association of North Queensland Inc. Passionate about equity, inclusion, and culturally safe healthcare, Vunirewa inspires positive change by empowering nurses to lead, advocate, and transform communities.
Registered Nurse & Educator
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.
Principal Psychologist
Abstract Presenters
Dr Levi Fox
Dr Levi Fox (Ngāti Tūwharetoa, Ngāti Porou) is a Lecturer in Social Work at Griffith University. His research focuses on Indigenous knowledge systems, spirituality, culturally responsive mental health practice, and wellbeing. With more than a decade of experience across Queensland and NSW Health, he bridges frontline practice, research, and theory. He serves as BSW Program Advisor, Acting BSW Program Director, and course convenor, while supporting Māori and Pasifika initiatives. An Associate Fellow of the Higher Education Academy and co-convenor of the Creative Wellbeing Lab, he advances Indigenous-led, community-engaged wellbeing research and partnerships.
Lecturer, Griffith University
Soalaupule Sam Pilisi
Soalaupule Sam Pilisi is an emerging Niuean/Samoan health researcher from the University of Auckland. Sam is in his final year of his doctoral studies exploring burnout and self-care among NZ born Pacific communities. He also works at the University of Auckland overseeing Pacific health workforce initiatives in Aotearoa New Zealand and the Pacific region.
Health Researcher | PhD Candidate
Dr Linda Palavi
Dr Linda Palavi is a New Zealand-born Tongan public health researcher (Kolofo’ou and Kolomotu’a, Tongatapu) currently working as a postdoctoral research fellow within the Pacific health department at the Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences, at the University of Auckland. Her research expertise spans health systems, health service delivery and patient-centred care within tobacco, alcohol and other drug addictions, child development, audiology and hearing healthcare. She is a member of the Paediatric society of New Zealand and The Eisdell Moore Centre for hearing and balance research where she is passionate about improving Pacific health equity.
Public Health Researcher | Postdoc Research Fellow
Asiata Professor Satupaitea Viali
Professor Asiata Dr. Satupaitea Viali is Vice Chancellor and President of OUM Samoa, a position he has held since 2024. A cardiologist and specialist physician, he has extensive experience in rheumatic heart disease, cardiovascular health, public health, and medical education. Professor Viali has conducted more than 30,000 echocardiographic screenings in Samoan schools and published widely on rheumatic heart disease, non-communicable diseases, diabetes, and metabolic health. He holds medical and public health qualifications from the Universities of Auckland and New South Wales and is a Fellow of several international professional colleges. He also leads and contributes to collaborative research across Samoa and internationally.
Vice Chancellor and President of the Oceania University of Medicine
Robati Harrison
Robati Harrison is a proud I-Kiribati Australian and Senior Multicultural Coordinator with Pacifikai, Children's Health Queensland. Working at the intersection of health, culture and community, he leads initiatives that strengthen outcomes for Pacific children, young people and families through culturally safe and community-informed approaches. Robati has more than 15 years of experience in Pacific community leadership, health promotion and advocacy, including work supporting climate resilience and community wellbeing. He is particularly passionate about community-led co-design and the meaningful inclusion of Pacific voices in health service design, innovation and systems change to advance equity and improve health outcomes.
Senior Multicultural Coordinator, Pacifikai
Charyse Mansell
Charyse (CK) Mansell is a proud wahine Māori hailing from Ngāpuhi and currently serving as the Team Lead with Pacifikai, Children's Health Queensland. In her role, she supports the development and delivery of culturally grounded, community-informed initiatives that uplift Pacific children, young people, and families to thrive. Working alongside tamariki, whānau, and community leaders, CK helps strengthen the connections and partnerships that enable culturally safe care and meaningful collaboration. She is committed to amplifying Pacific voices, building capability across teams, and fostering environments where culture, connection, and innovation drive health equity and improved wellbeing outcomes for communities across Queensland.
Team Lead, Pacifikai
Jahkita Kilcoyne
Jahkita Kilcoyne is a First Nations Learning and Development Advisor within Organisational Capability at Gold Coast Health. A proud Torres Strait Islander woman, Jahkita supports the development, coordination and delivery of culturally responsive learning initiatives across the health service. Her work focuses on strengthening First Nations cultural capability, cultural safety, health equity and workforce development through education, engagement and meaningful collaboration. With a background in communications, marketing and learning and development, Jahkita is passionate about creating engaging learning experiences that strengthen staff knowledge, confidence and capability to better support Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.
Learning & Development Officer, Gold Coast Health
William Pawa-Oui
William Pawa-Oui is a Torres Strait Islander educator and First Nations cultural capability facilitator within Organisational Capability at Gold Coast Health. He has extensive experience delivering cultural education and supporting staff to strengthen their understanding of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures, histories and perspectives. William has played a key role in the development and delivery of cultural capability and anti-racism education, including creating culturally safe spaces for meaningful conversations about racism, cultural safety and health equity. He is passionate about sharing cultural knowledge, building staff confidence and supporting meaningful change that contributes to culturally responsive and respectful healthcare for First Nations peoples.
Educator | Cultural Capability Facilitator, Gold Coast Health
Dr Sherry Salter
Dr Sherry Salter is a Consultant Renal and Pancreas Transplant and General Surgeon. She is a New Zealand-born Samoan now living in Melbourne with her husband and three young sons. As well as performing surgery, she mentors surgical trainees and publishes articles relating to her work. In balancing her life, Sherry enjoys spending time with her family, watching tennis and dining out. Sherry studied medicine at The University of Otago, graduating in 2003. She subsequently trained in General Surgery and became a Fellow of the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons in 2013.
She was awarded a Fellowship in Renal and Pancreas Transplantation Surgery after two years of post-fellowship training in transplantation at Westmead Hospital, Sydney and Monash Medical Centre, Melbourne. She has also completed a Trauma Fellowship at Auckland City Hospital. She is the first Pacific Island female General and Transplant Surgeon in Australasia
Sherry has worked in a number of both urban and rural settings throughout her career. She currently has a public hospital appointment at Monash Health, Melbourne as well as private hospital appointments at Cabrini Malvern and Brighton Hospital, St John of God Berwick Hospital and Jessie McPherson Private Hospital in Melbourne, Australia.
General & Transplant Surgeon
Dr Leanne Rodwell
Dr Leanne Rodwell PhD, CRFS, is an Advanced Respiratory Scientist at the Queensland Children's Hospital, Brisbane, and a Visiting Fellow at Queensland University of Technology. Alongside her clinical testing role at QCH, she is part of the team delivering respiratory care through the Indigenous Respiratory Outreach Care (IROC) clinics to regional and remote Queensland. Leanne has been involved in developing Australia's first culturally responsive spirometry training and mentoring program with guidance from our First Nations health workers.
Advanced Respiratory Scientist