Formed in 1996 as an Incorporated Society, Pasifika Medical Association was established by a group of Pacific medical professionals who identified a need for an association which brought together and provided a forum for Pacific medical professionals, including doctors, medical students and other health professionals.
When the early navigators of the Pacific health sector established PMA, it was intended to provide a haven to nurture and grow Pacific health professionals. As the organisation has prospered through the voluntary efforts of its executive committees, members and many sponsors and supporters, it has grown to become a leader in workforce development in the region. The commitment shown then is the same today – in fact, the commitment may indeed be even stronger.
Debbie Sorensen is the CEO of the Pasifika Medical Association Group of charitable companies and Pasifika Futures the Whanau Ora Commissioning Agency for Pacific families in New Zealand. Debbie has been instrumental in the development of Pacific health services in New Zealand over the past 30 years including as the first Chief Advisor Pacific Health to the Minister of Health. She has led the development of the Pasifika Medical Association group over the past 15 years transforming it into the largest Non-Governmental Pacific organisation in the region.
Debbie is an experienced Company Director holding current governance roles as Vice Chair Moana Pasifika Rugby and a Trustee of the Milford Foundation. She is a member of the governing council Te Poutoko Ora a Kiwi Center of Pacific and Global Health University of Auckland and is a Honorary Lecturer. She is a member of the Health Advisory Committee for the Privy Council to His Majesty King Tupou VI and is a Strategic Advisor to Te Marae Ora Cook Islands. Debbie is the Chair of the Pacific Expert Advisory Committee to Hon Minister Reti and has previously served for 11 years as a trustee of the Fred Hollows Foundation, was a founding Chair of Make a Wish Pacific and is a Chartered Member of the New Zealand Institute of Directors. Debbie was invested in 2015 as a Commander of the Royal Crown of Tonga by His Majesty Tupou V for her work in the health sector in Tonga.
