The Pasifika Medical Association (PMA) is excited to host Natalia at the upcoming PMA Conference in August, where she will speak about her work and experiences in one of the panel sessions.
We caught up with Natalia to hear more about her story.
What are you passionate about and why?
Personally, I'm passionate about my family and my Samoan heritage. I am very fortunate to have had parents that moved to NZ for a better life, and my achievements and successes are as much theirs as they are mine. I know that I carry my family with me in all that I do and that's what keeps me grounded and diligent. I have a very energetic and happy 4 year old son and my focus is on being a good Mum and passing on the gifts of my Samoan culture and the knowledge from my parents to him. I try to go to Samoa at least once a year to stay connected to my "other" home and with my family there.
Professionally, I am passionate about Pharmacy and being a Pharmacist. I've been working in pharmacy for over 20 years and I see everyday the difference pharmacists make in people's lives. Because we're located in communities people can just walk in and speak to a health professional and get expert advice free of charge. We know about medicines and health and if we can't help you, we know who can, we can refer to any other health service. I love getting to know our patients and following their health and life journeys. In our pharmacy we have 3 generations of the same family come to us and trust us when they need advice. It's a very rewarding profession.
You are scheduled to speak on the services panel - what are you most looking forward to discussing/sharing at the conference?
From my experience not a lot of people really know what pharmacists actually do. Often other health professionals come into contact with a pharmacist because the pharmacist is calling to clarify a prescription or a clinical query. I'm looking forward to sharing the great work pharmacists do and the potential we have to contribute more in interdisciplinary teams, especially in a community context.
I'm also interested in hearing how others see the pharmacist role, especially with the recent focus on extended pharmacist services and the Minister's focus on increased prescribing for pharmacists.
Words of advice/inspiration for people who are looking to pursue a similar career to you?
Take every opportunity to learn more about what pharmacists do by visiting your local pharmacy and talking to the pharmacist.
Being a pharmacist is a very rewarding role and can be an enjoyable lifelong career.
There are so many different roles you can have as a pharmacist so don't feel you are limited to being a community pharmacist, you can also work as part of a GP clinic, in hospital, industry, academia, clinical research. We even have pharmacists working as part of border patrol so there are lots of opportunities for pharmacists.
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The PMA Conference will be hosted in Auckland from 5-7 August. For more information and to register, visit the website here.
