I Lesatele
Graduating from medical school is not only a dream come true but also a promise fulfilled for Persia Cafery Petaia.
Petaia graduated with 10 other students with Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery from the National University of Samoa School of Medicine last Friday.
It was a dream come true for the young medical doctor and also his family.
“It’s a dream for my family and this is my dream come true,”Petaia told Newsline.
With the completion of his studies Petaia also fulfilled his promise to his late grandmother Iokapeta Petaia who was a nurse.
“ I made a promise to her I would finish medicine.”
Petaia thanked God, his parents, friends and colleagues for helping him to finish his studies.
“ I would not have done this without them. Without God I could not do anything. I feel humble and grateful. It was a long tough journey. There were ups and downs.”
The 28 year old was the winner of the Dr Vaiouga Levi Memorial Award for clinical excellence in Obstetrics and Gynaecology. He was presented with a trophy and monetary prize.
Other award winners were Fa’asulu Nettie Fa’asalaina ( Salausa Dr John Ah Ching award for clinical excellence in Primary Health, Sila Fanene ( Dr Lolofietele Eti Enosa award for Clinical excellence in surgery and Jerome Vili Mulipola (Dr Levaula Kamu award for excellence in Paediatrics).
The top student was Crystal Rukhashana Umar. She was the winner of 6 awards. They were the Namulaulu Dr Iakopo award and Mrs TusiataEsera memorial award for clinical excellence in Internal Medicine, Dr Mika ah Kuoi memorial award for clinical excellence in emergency medicine, Dr Lafi Esera award for clinical excellence in anaesthesia, Dr Viali Leiataatimu Viali award for top pre clinical student,Dr Amosa Sio award for top clinical student and the Dr Viali Satupaitea award for the overall top student.
Other School of Medicine graduates were : Gimme Emma Faasuamaleaui, Regina Emma Duseignuer, Epaggelia Efu, Derek Taylor, Kiwi Anuilagi Gafa and Benhur Jnr Matalavea.
