Aspen Medical Foundation awards two postgraduate nursing scholarships in Fiji

Two nurses from the Aspen Medical-managed Lautoka Hospital have been awarded postgraduate nursing scholarships through the Aspen Medical Foundation.

The scholarships valued at $14,000 each will be provided through the Fiji National University for Postgraduate Diplomas in Emergency Nursing and Perioperative Nursing.

One of the recipients of a scholarship, registered nurse Sera Matai, said the scholarship to study a postgraduate diploma in perioperative nursing will significantly enhance her professional development.

“I would like to inspire my colleagues to seize every opportunity and continue striving for excellence, knowing that Aspen Medical believes in our potential,” said Sera.

The second recipient, Mereani Turagabeci who is a registered nurse in the Emergency Department at Lautoka Hospital will be pursuing a postgraduate diploma in emergency nursing.

Mereanisaid: “The privilege of being one of the first to receive this scholarship is a call to continue the journey of learning, growing, and making a meaningful difference in emergency care.”

Aspen Medical Foundation, the registered charity of Aspen Medical, has announced a total of $56,000 (AUD) worth of scholarships for nurses at Lautoka and Ba hospitals for 2025.

Aspen Medical Foundation Chair, Sian Keys, said “We are thrilled to announce the awarding of two Aspen Medical Foundation scholarships to outstanding nursing professionals in Fiji, supporting their postgraduate studies in emergency and perioperative nursing. These scholarships reflect our commitment to enhancing healthcare capacity and providing advanced training opportunities in critical areas. Congratulations to Sera
and Mereani, we look forward to seeing the positive impact they will make in their communities.”

Aspen Medical Chief Executive Officer in Fiji, Gavin Whiteside, said, “The investment in our team will ultimately benefit our patients and the community, and we are proud that we can offer this opportunity to not one but four members of our team”.

The two remaining scholarships valued at $15,000 (AUD) each will be provided through the Australian College of Nursing for postgraduate diploma studies in neonatal care.